View clinical trials related to Athletic Performance.
Filter by:Endurance sport is often characterized by high training loads and significant metabolic demands, including depletion of endogenous fuel stores (e.g. liver and muscle glycogen) and damage to the skeletal muscle proteins. Nutritional interventions that enhance the restoration of endogenous fuel stores and improve muscle damage repair have received a lot of attention. The primary aim of this project is to clinically test the effect of alginate encapsulation technology on performance. Furthermore, we will investigate the substrate utilization profile during exercise and subsequent recovery. The encapsulation technology presents a nutrient delivery solution, which results in a sustained or slow-release of the nutrients encapsulated. Thus, potentially optimizing the digestion and absorption by promoting an easy ingestion of high concentrations of fx carbohydrates without negatively affecting the gastrointestinal comfort.
The goal of this randomized crossover clinical trial is to determine if habitual sleeping habits can predict endurance performance following a night of partial sleep deprivation in healthy untrained, recreationally trained, and trained cyclists (18-50 years, ~50% females). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can habitual sleeping habits predict, or do different types of sleepers alter, performance outcomes following sleep deprivation? 2. Does sleep deprivation alter blood pressure, heart rate, or metabolic responses during a 20-minute time trial, and/or are these altered amongst different types of sleepers? 3. Can habitual sleeping habits predict, or do different types of sleepers alter, flow-mediated dilation following a night of normal sleep and/or sleep deprivation? - Participants will be asked to perform 4 performance tests (20-minute time trial), 2 for familiarization, and 2 testing visits (1 under normal sleep and 1 under partial sleep deprivation). - For 1 week prior to each testing visit, sleep will be tracked using an ActiGraph device. - During each testing visit, and prior to the performance test, the vascular function of the superficial femoral artery will be assessed using a flow-mediated dilation technique. The investigators hypothesize that habitual early sleepers, poor sleepers, those with greater variability in sleep duration, and females will show the greatest impairments in performance and flow-mediated dilation following partial sleep deprivation.
The menstrual cycle implies a basic difference in the biology of women and men but the effect of the hormonal variation on training protocols and physical performance is still not fully understood. Despite no existing evidence, the advice to periodize exercise according to the menstrual cycle has been widely spread among elite athletes, coaches, and sports federations. The advice is based on underpowered studies with considerable methodological weaknesses regarding determination of cycle phase, inclusion of athletes and lack of adequate control groups. The purpose of this randomized, controlled study is to evaluate the effect of exercise periodization on aerobic fitness during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Further, the effect will be related to premenstrual symptoms, body composition and skeletal muscle morphology, sex hormone receptors, metabolic enzymes, and markers of muscle protein synthesis. This study will be well controlled and follow methodology recommendations for menstrual cycle research in sports and exercise. Female athletes of fertile age will be randomized to different training regimens during three menstrual cycles (12 weeks): Group A: Training three times a week throughout the menstrual cycle. Group B: Follicular phase-based training five times a week during the follicular phase and thereafter once a week during the luteal phase. Group C: Luteal phase-based training five times a week during the luteal phase and once a week in the follicular phase. The exercise will consist of high intensity intermittent spinning classes. Assessment of aerobic fitness and power will be performed at baseline, and again after three completed menstrual cycles. On the same day, body composition will be examined by DXA and blood samples will be collected for analysis of hormones and binding proteins. To confirm menstrual cycle phase, blood samples will be collected for hormone determination, and urinary stick will be used for detection of ovulation. Subjective ratings of menstrual cycle related symptoms will be performed every day. In a subgroup of women, muscle biopsies will be collected from m vastus lateralis at baseline and at the end of the study. This study will contribute to improved knowledge about exercise periodization in relation to the menstrual cycle. Well-grounded data is crucial to give evidence-based recommendations to female athletes when planning their training protocol to optimize training results and performance.
This pilot investigation will conduct a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 150 volunteers (age: 18-74 years) over a period of 90 consecutive days. A statistician will be involved in this project. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood chemistry, blood pressure and heart rate, body and hand grip strength, speed and endurance studies including open circuit spirometry-based assessment of pulmonary function will be assessed. Other parameters to be evaluated include oxygen consumption, CO2 production and metabolic parameters, VO2 max, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), anaerobic threshold, ventilatory equivalents for oxygen (VE/V02) and exhaled carbon dioxide (VE/VC02)2,3. Subjects will participate in completed maximal graded exercise tests (GXT) on a treadmill or in set distance open-field sprints using open-circuit spirometry. Lower and Upper Body Strength will be evaluated. E-Diary will be provided to all participants. Survey Monkey program will be provided to all subjects and regularly updated by all study participants daily and endorsed by the co-Principal Investigator.
Background of the study: Astaxanthin has been shown to be a powerfull anti-oxidant. Health benefits have been shown in animals and humans. Exercise enhancing effects have been shown in animals via enhancement of fat oxidation. We want to examine the effects of 4 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation on fat oxidation and cycling performance in trained cyclists Objective of the study: To test the hypothesis that 4 weeks supplementation with astaxanthin will improve fat oxidation and improve exercise performance in trained cyclists Study design: Double blind, placebo controlled study. Study population: Well trained cyclists between 18-30 years old Intervention (if applicable): astaxanthin (20 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks Primary study parameters/outcome of the study: performance on a time trial after 90 min steady state exercise. Secundary study parameters/outcome of the study (if applicable): substrate use plasma glucose plasma lactate plasma free fatty acid plasma astaxanthin Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness (if applicable): The risks involved in participating in this experiment are minimal. Astaxanthin has been shown to be safe. Insertion of the catheters in a vein is comparable to a normal blood draw and the only risk is of a small local haematoma.