Daniel R Brown1, Ashley R Warner2, Sanjoy K Deb3, Lewis A Gough4, S Andy Sparks5, Lars R McNaughton6. 1. Department of Higher Education Sport, Loughborough College, United Kingdom. Electronic address: danny.brown@loucoll.ac.uk. 2. Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, United Kingdom. 3. School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, United Kingdom. 4. School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. 5. Sport Nutrition and Performance Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, United Kingdom. 6. Sport Nutrition and Performance Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, United Kingdom; Department of Sport and Movement Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether supplementation with 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin for 7 days can improve exercise performance and metabolism during a 40 km cycling time trial. DESIGN: A randomised, double-blind, crossover design was employed. METHODS:Twelve recreationally trained male cyclists (VO2peak: 56.5 ± 5.5 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1, Wmax: 346.8 ± 38.4 W) were recruited. Prior to each experimental trial, participants were supplemented with either 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin or an appearance-matched placebo for 7 days (separated by 14 days of washout). On day 7 of supplementation, participants completed a 40 km cycling time trial on a cycle ergometer, with indices of exercise metabolism measured throughout. RESULTS: Time to complete the 40 km cycling time trial was improved by 1.2 ± 1.7% following astaxanthin supplementation, from 70.76 ± 3.93 min in the placebo condition to 69.90 ± 3.78 min in the astaxanthin condition (mean improvement = 51 ± 71 s, p = 0.029, g = 0.21). Whole-body fat oxidation rates were also greater (+0.09 ± 0.13 g⋅min-1, p = 0.044, g = 0.52), and the respiratory exchange ratio lower (-0.03 ± 0.04, p = 0.024, g = 0.60) between 39-40 km in the astaxanthin condition. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin for 7 days provided an ergogenic benefit to 40 km cycling time trial performance in recreationally trained male cyclists and enhanced whole-body fat oxidation rates in the final stages of this endurance-type performance event.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether supplementation with 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin for 7 days can improve exercise performance and metabolism during a 40 km cycling time trial. DESIGN: A randomised, double-blind, crossover design was employed. METHODS: Twelve recreationally trained male cyclists (VO2peak: 56.5 ± 5.5 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1, Wmax: 346.8 ± 38.4 W) were recruited. Prior to each experimental trial, participants were supplemented with either 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin or an appearance-matched placebo for 7 days (separated by 14 days of washout). On day 7 of supplementation, participants completed a 40 km cycling time trial on a cycle ergometer, with indices of exercise metabolism measured throughout. RESULTS: Time to complete the 40 km cycling time trial was improved by 1.2 ± 1.7% following astaxanthin supplementation, from 70.76 ± 3.93 min in the placebo condition to 69.90 ± 3.78 min in the astaxanthin condition (mean improvement = 51 ± 71 s, p = 0.029, g = 0.21). Whole-body fat oxidation rates were also greater (+0.09 ± 0.13 g⋅min-1, p = 0.044, g = 0.52), and the respiratory exchange ratio lower (-0.03 ± 0.04, p = 0.024, g = 0.60) between 39-40 km in the astaxanthin condition. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with 12 mg⋅day-1 astaxanthin for 7 days provided an ergogenic benefit to 40 km cycling time trial performance in recreationally trained male cyclists and enhanced whole-body fat oxidation rates in the final stages of this endurance-type performance event.
Authors: Sophia Z Liu; Ana P Valencia; Matt P VanDoren; Eric G Shankland; Baback Roshanravan; Kevin E Conley; David J Marcinek Journal: Physiol Rep Date: 2021-06