Dietary supplementation and improved anaerobic performance

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy currency of the cell.
• Dietary supplementation with ATP may enhance energy availability during high-intensity exercise.
• Previous research has explored ATP supplementation, but optimal dosing and effects on performance require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of an increased daily dose of a dietary supplement, ATP-E (0.2 g.kg-1.day-1), on Wingate test performance.
• To assess changes in pre-exercise blood ATP levels and peak plasma lactate following 14 days of supplementation.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, counterbalanced study design was employed.
• Twelve healthy men (mean age 21 years) participated in the study.
• Participants underwent Wingate tests before and after 14 days of either ATP-E or placebo ingestion.

Main Results:

• Following 14 days of ATP-E ingestion, pre-exercise blood ATP levels were significantly higher compared to placebo (95.4 vs. 87.6 mumol.dl-1, p < .007).
• Mean power output during the Wingate test was significantly increased after ATP-E supplementation (667 vs. 619 W, p < .008).
• Peak plasma lactate levels were lower following ATP-E ingestion compared to placebo (14.9 vs. 16.3 mmol.L-1, p < .07).

Conclusions:

• An increased daily dose of ATP-E (0.2 g.kg-1.day-1) for 14 days enhanced Wingate test performance in men.
• The observed performance improvements may be attributed to elevated blood ATP levels and potentially altered lactate metabolism.
• These findings suggest that ATP supplementation, at this specific dose, can positively impact high-intensity exercise capacity.