None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Nutritional supplements are routinely ingested throughout a training period to maximise exercise-based adaptations. While the mechanisms for adaptations can be varied and can include increased energy expenditure, reduced catabolism, and increased protein synthesis, the intended outcome is an increase in the intended adaptations to training. Pycnogenol, a herbal dietary supplement extracted from French maritime pine bark, is widely marketed for its antioxidant effects. Health benefits purported for Pycnogenol include improved cognitive function, endothelial function, and blood pressure regulation. However, the effect of Pycnogenol on exercise performance, or exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses is less clear. Consumption of Pycnogenol has been shown to increase serum NAD+ levels and more recently a study demonstrated that French maritime pine bark extract reduced markers of oxidative stress 48 hours post exercise. Substantially more investigation into the influence of Pycnogenol on exercise performance is required to confirm these results, to examine the optimal timing and dose amount of this supplement, as well as to establish the physiological mechanisms that explain the increased time to exhaustion during intense endurance exercise. Therefore, we hypothesize that Pycnogenol, could be a supplement that increases endurance and with greater adaptations when consumed in addition to training. Here we propose a study designed to establish whether Pycnogenol can improve endurance in highly trained Cyclists
Interventions
A single blind crossover trial, placebo controlled study will be conducted in which male and female subjects who actively participate in cycling, will supplement their normal daily lives with either Modex (100ml containing 260mg Pycnogenol, 240mg Papin, 300mg Sodium chloride, 175mg Aloe Vera, 169mg Procyanidins, once daily), or placebo (100ml of Modex formula containing everything but Pycnogenol, once daily), oral drink for 4 weeks.
Prior to the 4-week supplement periods, participants will hav
A single blind crossover trial, placebo controlled study will be conducted in which male and female subjects who actively participate in cycling, will supplement their normal daily lives with either Modex (100ml containing 260mg Pycnogenol, 240mg Papin, 300mg Sodium chloride, 175mg Aloe Vera, 169mg Procyanidins, once daily), or placebo (100ml of Modex formula containing everything but Pycnogenol, once daily), oral drink for 4 weeks. Prior to the 4-week supplement periods, participants will have a VO2 max tested and 30 minute cycling test conducted at La Trobe University strength and conditioning gym (Bundoora campus), supervised by qualified exercise physiologists. After the 4-week supplement period, participants will undergo s 30 minute cycle test once again. These 3 sessions will involve a health screen, and the taking of blood samples. This will require a session time for each participant of 60 min, a total of 3 hours. To monitor adherence, we will be monitoring returned empty bottle counts.
Sponsors
La Trobe University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Adults between the ages of 18-45 2. Actively participate in cycling (minimum 3 sessions per week) 3. competitive C grade rider or higher, completing approximately 200 km or more per week
Exclusion criteria
1) Are pregnant and/or breastfeeding. 2) Present with a history of treatment for metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes or cardiovascular disease). 3) Are currently using any prescription medication which could impact on inflammatory pathways (e.g., Warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen [nurofen]). 4) Have any medical contraindications to exercise. 5) Are currently injured.
Outcome results
None listed