The Effects of Exogenous Ketones on Exercise Performance in Young Healthy Adults

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02825823

Enrollment

Registered

2016-07-07

Start date

2016-07-31

Completion date

2017-06-01

Last updated

2017-10-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dietary Supplements, Exercise, Ketones

Brief summary

The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate is produced during prolonged fasting or exercise and can be used as an alternative fuel source. Exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate, in the form of a ketone salt, is proposed to have ergogenic potential for high-intensity exercise performance but this has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study is to determine whether supplementing with an acute dose of ketone salts can alter fuel use during exercise and improve exercise performance.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTKetone Salt

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

MALE

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Males aged 18-40 * Ability to understand and communicate in English to answer questionnaires and interact with the research assistant * Physically active (defined by engaging in moderate-to-vigorous exercise at least 3 times per week, determined via validated questionnaire)

Exclusion criteria

* Diagnosed with diabetes or any other medical conditions that could affect metabolism. * Diagnosed with heart disease or taking anti-hypertensive medications. * Competitive endurance athlete (self-identified as engaged in specific endurance training in triathlon, cycling, or distance running and competing in races or competition) * Recent (last 3 months) or current consumption of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet * Current consumption of ketone supplements * Any other contraindication to vigorous exercise (identified via physical activity readiness questionnaire \[PAR-Q\])

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) during cycling exercise	0-18 minutes	The RER during 18 minutes of steady-state exercise

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
10 km Cycling Time Trial Performance	Following 18 minutes of steady-state exercise	10 km time trial performed on a stationary bicycle following 18 minutes of steady-state exercise

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026