None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate whether eating mussels as a snack can improve recovery and nutritional status in female endurance athletes. Participants will consume either mussels or an isocaloric portion of nuts five times per week for 12 weeks. We will measure omega-3 index, iron status, vitamin D levels, and post-exercise recovery to compare the effects of the two snacks. We hypothesise that mussel consumption will lead to greater improvements in these health markers compared to nuts. The findings may help support new dietary strategies to enhance athletic recovery using sustainable whole foods.
Interventions
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two study arms. Those in the intervention group (Mussel snack group) will consume 90 grams of cooked, vacuum-packed blue mussels as a snack on five non-consecutive days per week for 12 weeks. Mussels will be provided in pre-portioned, food-safe packaging and stored in dedicated food-only refrigerators. Participants will be given safe storage instructions and simple preparation ideas to support adherence, but no specific cooking method is required
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two study arms. Those in the intervention group (Mussel snack group) will consume 90 grams of cooked, vacuum-packed blue mussels as a snack on five non-consecutive days per week for 12 weeks. Mussels will be provided in pre-portioned, food-safe packaging and stored in dedicated food-only refrigerators. Participants will be given safe storage instructions and simple preparation ideas to support adherence, but no specific cooking method is required. Mussels are provided as a whole food source rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, and other key micronutrients. All participants will maintain their usual diet and training routine. Adherence will be monitored through daily self-reported tallies via REDCap and biweekly food records using the Easy Diet Diary app. Both groups will undergo baseline and post-intervention testing at Deakin University (Burwood or Waurn Ponds), including DEXA body composition scans, venous blood sampling at Dorevitch Pathology, and finger-prick blood tests. The intervention is not personalised or titrated, and all data collection and support will be managed by trained research staff, including an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).
Sponsors
Deakin University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants must be 1) female adults ( aged between 18-50 years), 2) with a training history of two years or more (specific to cycling, running, triathlon), 3) currently completing endurance-based training more than two times per week or with an average exercise training duration of more than 5 hours per week, 4) healthy and free of injury and, 5) eumenorrheic (experiencing regular natural menstrual cycles 21-35 days in length) or stable use of hormonal contraceptives for at least three months before testing. 6) Participants must live in Victoria, Australia, and be willing to travel to either Deakin Geelong or Burwood Campus on six occasions and a nearby Dorevitch Pathology on two separate occasions.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded if they 1) self-report as vegetarian or vegan; 2) allergy to nuts or shellfish or 3) are regular consumers of shellfish/oily fish ( more than once per week over the past 3 months); 4) currently participating in a weight loss program or special diet (ketogenic, low carb or similar); 5) smokers; 6) BMI higher than 29.9 kg/m2; 7) acute or terminal illness; 8) with a current injury or functional impairment that would limit inclusion in the trial; 9) use of supplements (vitamin D, omega-3) or medication known to affect iron status; 10) current chronic disease including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic liver disease, and gastrointestinal disorders that affects nutrient absorption; 11) cognitive impairment; or inability to commit to the study and its requirements and be randomised to their experimental group. These criteria minimise confounding influences on omega-3 status, iron levels, and recovery markers while ensuring participant safety and study validity.
Outcome results
None listed