Lithothamnion Species on Blood Lactate During Exhaustive Exercise in Trained Cyclists (AAPt)

Effect of Red Algae Lithothamnion on Blood Lactate Response During Exhaustive Exercise in Trained Cyclists: A Randomized Control Trial

Deep ocean mineral water has been shown to improve exercise phenotypes in human and animal models. However, there is yet to be an investigation of Algae species such as Lithothamnion that absorb and concentrate these minerals. Therefore, the AAP trial will investigate the effect of water soluble Lithothamnion species on exhaustive exercise-induced blood lactate accumulation, recovery and power output in trained cyclists.

The potential for naturally derived combinations of marine minerals to improve exercise performance is growing throughout the scientific literature and has physiologically plausible mechanisms, likely through the diverse molecular and enzymatic actions of individual (or combinations of) minerals (such as Calcium and Magnesium). Despite the biological potential, there is little consciences whether mineral supplementation can improving markers of, and exercise performance. One recent investigation of deep ocean mineral water (high in marine minerals) showed that when consumed prior to exercise, blood lactate response improved with hyperthermal running and is supported in animal models - however, this is not supported elsewhere in humans. Nonetheless, others have shown, in human models, that deep ocean mineral water may improve exercise recovery, aerobic exercise performance, improve lower leg power output and hydration status compared to either placebo or sports drink. Furthermore, animal models support these plausibilities with improved mitochondrial biogenesis, biomolecules of exercises performance, cardiovascular hemodynamics, inflammatory cytokine responses to exercise and overall exercise adaptation. As ocean minerals are absorbed by marine organisms, Algae species such as Lithothamnion have higher concentrations of the same ocean minerals but structured differently at the nano scale and thus may have the potential to be more effective at improving exercise phenotypes. Therefore, the proposed exploratory RCT will investigate the effects of water soluble Lithothamnion species on exhaustive exercise-induced lactate accumulation, recovery and power output in trained cyclists, compared to a placebo.

One week (7 day) supplementation, followed by a 4 week washout, then crossover (another 7 day supplementation period).

All parties directly involved in recruitment, data collection and analysis will be blinded to the supplement identities until after the data analysis.

Participants will consume the Aquamin Soluble (Mineral Rich Algae) equivalent of 1000mg Calcium in 250 ml of orange flavoured water.

Participants will consume a placebo of maltodextrin in 250 ml of orange flavoured water (40mg Calcium).

Lithothamnion species is rich in calcium, magnesium (Mg) and 72 other trace elements absorbed from sea-water during the organisms life. Mineral-rich 'fronds' break off from the living organism, fall to the ocean floor and are harvested (AquaminF). The mineral extract in soluble form contains ~13.1% Calcium, ~1.04% Magnesium and measurable levels of 72 other trace minerals. Following or prior to a washout period (crossover intervention), participants will consume the Aquamin Soluble equivalent of 1000mg Calcium in 250 ml of orange flavored water for a 7 day loading period.

Following or prior to a washout period (crossover intervention), participants will consume 250 ml of orange flavoured water (containing 20mg of Calcium with maltodextrin) for a 7 day period.

Blood lactate concentration accumulation (measured using a Lactate Pro2 Portable Analyzer; Arkray, Tokyo, Japan) to repeated Wingate anaerobic exhaustive exercise performed on a Lode Excalibur cycle ergometer (Lode B.V., Groningen, DE).

Pre, during and post repeated Wingate anaerobic exercise performance test (three Wingates separated by 3 minutes recovery) blood lactate accumulation (mmol/L) will be measured by capillary sampling and lactate recovery (mmol/L) will be measured for a subsequent 20 minutes. The primary outcome measure will be any difference in blood lactate response between the interventions after 7 days of supplementation with either Aqumin or a placebo (see arms and interventions section).

Exercise performance via Wingate anaerobic exercise performance test for maximal power output (Watts) performed on a Lode Excalibur cycle ergometer (Lode B.V., Groningen, DE).

A repeated Wingate anaerobic exercise performance test (three Wingates separated by 3 minutes recovery) will be used to assessed pre and post intervention maximal lower-body power output (measured in absolute Watts (W) and relative power output (W/kg)) and fatigued power output (measured in absolute Watts (W) and relative power output (W/kg)). The secondary outcome measure will be any difference power output in response to 7 days of supplementation with either Aqumin or a placebo (see arms and interventions section).

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy male trained cyclist. Cycling for the purpose of exercise training (i.e. not cycling for transport) at least 100km per week for the last 6 months VȮ2peak that is greater than 50 ml˙kg˙ml-1 Exclusion Criteria: Any muscle disorder Serious medical co-morbidities Thyroid dysfunction or specific allergies Contraindications to dependent variables Currently participation in another research study Currently not talking other nutrition supplements

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