The Effect of Alginate Encapsulated Plant-Based Carbohydrate and Protein Supplementation on Recovery and Subsequent Performance in Athletes.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel alginate-encapsulated carbohydrate-protein (CHO-PRO ratio 2:1) supplement (ALG) on cycling performance. The ALG, designed to control the release of nutrients, was compared to an isocaloric carbohydrate-only control (CON). Alginate encapsulation of CHOs has the potential to reduce the risk of carious lesions. METHODS: In a randomised cross-over clinical trial, 14 men completed a preliminary test over 2 experimental days separated by ~6 days. An experimental day consisted of an exercise bout (EX1) of cycling until exhaustion at W~73%, followed by 5 h of recovery and a subsequent time-to-exhaustion (TTE) performance test at W~65%. Subjects ingested either ALG (0.8 g CHO/kg/hr + 0.4 g PRO/kg/hr) or CON (1.2 g CHO/kg/hr) during the first 2 h of recovery. RESULTS: Participants cycled on average 75.2 ± 5.9 min during EX1. Levels of plasma branched-chain amino acids decreased significantly after EX1, and increased significantly with the intake of ALG during the recovery period. During recovery, a significantly higher plasma insulin and glucose response was observed after intake of CON compared to ALG. Intake of ALG increased plasma glucagon, free fatty acids, and glycerol significantly. No differences were found in the TTE between the supplements (p = 0.13) nor in the pH of the subjects' saliva. CONCLUSIONS: During the ALG supplement, plasma amino acids remained elevated during the recovery. Despite the 1/3 less CHO intake with ALG compared to CON, the TTE performance was similar after intake of either supplement.

Feasibility and efficacy of progressive resistance training and dietary supplements in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients--the DAHANCA 25A study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often lose a considerable amount of muscle mass following the disease and treatment. This is an independent mortality predictor, lowering muscle strength and functional performance. Progressive resistance training (PRT) increases muscle mass among healthy individuals and groups of cancer patients, but it has not been investigated in HNSCC patients. Furthermore, studies in healthy subjects show an additive effect of protein and creatine supplementation following PRT. OBJECTIVES: Firstly, to investigate the feasibility of 12 weeks of PRT ± protein and creatine supplementation among HNSCC patients. Secondly, to investigate group changes over time and group differences regarding lean body mass (LBM), muscle strength and functional performance following PRT ± dietary supplementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized into two groups: a PROCR group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial creatine loading protocol followed by 12 weeks of PRT with creatine and protein supplementation and a PLA group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial placebo ingestion protocol followed by an identical PRT protocol with placebo supplementation. Before the pre-trial and pre- and post-PRT evaluation of LBM, maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength and functional performance were performed. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the patients completed the intervention and the PRT adherence rate was 97%. No significant group differences were found in any endpoints. From pre- to post-PRT, LBM increased significantly in the PROCR group by 2.6 ± 2.2 kg (p < 0.0001) and increased in the PLA group (1.3 ± 1.1 kg, p = 0.07). Maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength as well as functional performance increased significantly in both groups. CONCLUSION: PRT is feasible in radiotherapy treated HNSCC patients. Following PRT, lean body mass, muscle strength and functional performance increased significantly in both groups (LBM only borderline significant in PLA group) with no significant group difference in any endpoint.

[Physical activity and dietary supplements]. / Fysisk aktivitet, kosttilskud og sportsprodukter.

The Danish Fitness and Nutrition Council has examined the scientific literature to evaluate the performance and health-related aspects of consuming dietary supplements in the context of physical activity. Certain nutritional supplements such as creatine and caffeine have documented ergogenic effects in specific situations. However, for the moderately physically active adult and healthy individual, who already consumes an energy- and nutrient balanced diet, consuming any currently legal dietary supplement does not seem to confer additional benefits on performance or health.