Maintenance or enhancement of immune function following exercise in healthy adults Other
Conditions
Interventions
Randomisation will be performed with computerised randomisation software. Treatment will be administered double-blind with allocation concealment managed by a third-party staff member not involved wit
40 g/day) or a placebo (40 g/day soy protein), replicating the macronutrient profile of the WPC. During the first crossover arm, participants will consume their designated supplement daily for 14 days
Sponsors
University of Kent
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 110 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Over 18 years old 2. Free from any injury, illness (no illness within 2 weeks) or disease 3. Free from any respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma) 4. Deemed healthy via a pre-screening health questionnaire 5. Experienced with long-duration cycling 6. Have no allergies or intolerances to dairy or soy
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Under 18 years old 2. Current injuries, illnesses or diseases 3. Asthmatics 4. Not deemed 'healthy' via a pre-screening health questionnaire 5. Inexperienced with long-duration cycling 6. Allergic or intolerant to dairy or soy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Immune cell function will be measured in immune cells in/from whole blood samples by emitted light analysis at rest on preliminary trial days, and pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1 and 3 of each study arm 2. Measures of mucosal immunity (secretory IgA and antimicrobial peptides/proteins) will be determined by ELISA assays in saliva at rest on preliminary trial days, and pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1, 2 and 3 of each study arm | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Current secondary outcome measures as of 25/02/2025: 1. Gut cell damage will be assessed by plasma iFABP levels by ELISA from blood samples obtained pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1 and 3 of each study arm 2. Stress hormone will be measured by ELISA in blood samples obtained pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1 and 3 of each study arm 3. Dairy lipid levels will be assessed by colorimetric coupled enzyme assay and/or NMR spectroscopy in blood samples obtained at rest (i.e. pre-exercise) on preliminary trial days and on main trial day 1 of each study arm 4. URTI incidence/symptoms will be measured using a daily self-report illness questionnaire (Jackson Common Cold Questionnaire) over the duration of the study 5. If participants believe they are ill, they will be asked to collect throat and nasal swab samples. These samples will be screened for the presence of known URTI-causing pathogens by qPCR. 6. In all experimental trials, participants will complete the state aspect of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and Perceived Stress Scale prior to exercise 7. Participants will complete the Cohen-Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms on experimental trials 1 and 4. 8. Bacterial load will be measured via qPCR on blood samples taken pre-exercise, post-exercise and 1-hour post-exercise on experimental trials 1, 3, 4 and 6. Previous secondary outcome measures: 1. Gut cell damage will be assessed by plasma iFABP levels by ELISA from blood samples obtained pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1 and 3 of each study arm 2. Stress hormone and cytokine levels will be measured by ELISA in blood samples obtained pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise on main trial days 1 and 3 of each study arm 3. Dairy lipid levels will be assessed by colorimetric coupled enzyme assay in blood samples obtained at rest (i.e. pre-exercise) on preliminary trial days and on main trial days 1 and | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactWilliam Searle
Outcome results
None listed