The Effects of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance in Women.

The effects of 9 weeks of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) supplementation (1000 mg/day) and resistance exercise training (RT) on one repetition maximum (1-RM) values were tested. Thirty-one women (33.1 ± 7.3 y) were randomly assigned into a supplement (ACC, n = 14) or a placebo (PL, n = 17) group. On day 1 and following 9 weeks of intervention, the participants underwent anthropometric measurements and filled out a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and sports injuries questionnaires. 1-RM values were measured for the back squat and bench press exercises. All the participants significantly (p = 0.01) improved their mean back squat and bench press 1-RM values (time effect). While no between-group difference was observed in the bench press 1-RM values, the ACC groups' mean post-pre bench press 1-RM differences (Δ1-RM) were significantly higher than in the PL group, expressed in kg (p = 0.049), per body mass (p = 0.042), or per lean body mass (p = 0.035). No significant interaction was observed for time X group effect (p = 0.421). No differences (within- or between-groups) were observed in the anthropometric values or in the questionnaires' results. ACC supplementation revealed an ergogenic effect by augmenting the improvement of maximum amount generated force, which can possibly be attributed to the calcium and/or the carbonate components.

The effect of probiotic supplementation on performance, inflammatory markers and gastro-intestinal symptoms in elite road cyclists.

BACKGROUND: Elite athletes may suffer from impaired immune function and gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, which may affect their health and may impede their performance. These symptoms may be reduced by multi-strain probiotic supplementation. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on aerobic fitness characteristics, inflammatory markers and incidence and severity of GI symptoms in elite cyclists. METHODS: Twenty-seven male cyclists, ranked elite or category 1 level competitions, were randomly assigned to a multi-strain probiotic-supplemented group (E, n = 11) or placebo group (C, n = 16). All participants visited the laboratory at the beginning of the study and following 90 d of supplementation/placebo. Prior to testing, all participants completed a GI symptoms questionnaire and underwent physical and medical examination, and anthropometric measurements. Venous blood was drawn for inflammatory markers analysis. The cyclists then underwent maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test and time-to-fatigue (TTF) test at 85 % of maximal power, 3 h following the VO2max test. All testing procedures were repeated after 90 d of probiotic / placebo treatment (double blind design). RESULTS: Lower incidence of nausea, belching, and vomiting (P < 0.05) at rest, and decreased incidence of GI symptoms during training were found in E group vs. C Group, respectively (∆GI -0.27 ± 0.47 % vs. 0.08 ± 0.29 %, P = 0.03), no significant changes were observed in the incidence of total overall GI symptoms (∆GI -5.6 ± 14.7 % vs. 2.6 ± 11.6 %, P = 0.602) Mean rate of perceived exertion (RPE) values during the TTF were lower in E group (∆RPE: -0.3 ± 0.9 vs. 0.8 ± 1.5, P = 0.04). No significant changes were measured between and within groups in VO2max and TTF values, mean levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6-and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) values following treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics supplementation may have beneficial effects on GI symptoms in elite cyclists. Future studies, using higher doses and during different training seasons, might help understanding the effects of probiotic supplementation on elite athletes' health and performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NIH clinicaltrial.gov #NCT02756221 Registered 25 April 2016.