Objective To observe the change in muscle injury caused by march, investigate the protective effect of vitamin E combined with Radix astragali on skeletal muscle injury caused by violent exercise. Methods Sixty recruits were randomly divided into three groups (20 solders in each group). Group A (control group), group B (given vitamin E), group C (given vitamin E and Radix astragali). Group B was given vitamin E [8 mg/(kg·d)] for 14 days and group C was given vitamin E [8 mg/(kg·d)] +Radix astragali (15 g/d) for 14 days. Then they marched 120 km for 4 days. The recruits were given fomentation and massage (20 min once, twice/day) in leg in 3 groups. The oxydic and antioxidant indices and CK, LDH were detected in 2 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h after march in the three groups. Results The activity of CK, LDH, ROS and the concentration of MDA in group A all time points were higher than that in the other two groups (P＜0.05) after march, while the GSHG-Px and SOD at all time points were lower than those in the other two groups at all time points (P＜0.05) after march. The activities of CK, LDH, ROS and the concentration of MDA in group B at all time points were higher than in the group C (P＜0.05), while the GSHG-Px, SOD at all time points were lower than in the group C at all time points (P＜0.05). The activities of GSH-Px and SOD were reduced after march, reaching minimum at 6 h, and increased at 24 h in the 3 groups (P＜0.05). The activities of ROS, LDH, ROS and the concentration of MDA increased after march, peaked at 6 h after march, and decreased at 24 h after march in the 3 groups (P＜0.05). Conclusions Vitamin E combined with Radix astragali can inhibit muscle injury in the course of long-time movement through balancing oxidation and antioxidation. This method is safe and effective, it should be recommended to grass-roots units.