Background: On exposure to prolonged cold temperature, the body responds for effective heat production, both by shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis.1 Cold exposure increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which influence the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca++ release from the skeletal muscles and affect their contractile properties.2 The role of ascorbic acid supplementation on force-frequency relationship of cold exposed skeletal muscles was evaluated in this study. Method: Ninety healthy, male Sprague Dawley rats were tagged and randomly divided into three groups of control (I), cold exposed (II) and cold exposed along with ascorbic acid supplementation (III). Rats of group I were kept at room temperature at 22±3°C. Group II and III were given cold exposure of 8-14°C, by keeping their cages in ice-filled tubs for 1hr/day for one month.3 Rats of group III were also given ascorbic acid supplement, as 500mg of L-Ascorbate (MERCK, research grade Cat No. 500074) in powder form mixed per liter of drinking water, for one month.4 After the study period, the rats were ether anesthetized in glass jars and then extensor digitorum longus muscle was dissected out. The muscle was placed on the muscle holder of Power Lab ADInstruments 4/26T [ML856] and force-frequency relationship in the skeletal muscle fibers was analyzed on computerized data acquisition system.5 (Fig. 1) Results: The cold exposed group II showed a significant decline in the contractile properties of skeletal muscle fibers at different frequencies as compared to the control group I (p value <0.05). In group III, however, the force was contraction was better than group II (p value <0.05). Conclusions: Chronic cold exposure delays the contractions in skeletal muscles, while supplementation with ascorbic acid prevents the decrease in force of contraction in muscles exposed to chronic cold. Key words Ascorbic acid, cold stress, force of contraction, skeletal muscles