Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Background Foods rich in nutrients, such as nitrate, nitrite, L-arginine and polyphenols, can promote the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which may induce ergogenic effects on endurance exercise performance. Thus, consuming foods rich in these components, such as almonds, dried grapes and dried cran...

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Main Authors: Jonathan D Buckley, Catherine Yandell, Noah M A d'Unienville, Alison M Hill, Alison M Coates, Maximillian J Nelson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2019-10-01
Series:BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Online Access:https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000560.full
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author Jonathan D Buckley
Catherine Yandell
Noah M A d'Unienville
Alison M Hill
Alison M Coates
Maximillian J Nelson
author_facet Jonathan D Buckley
Catherine Yandell
Noah M A d'Unienville
Alison M Hill
Alison M Coates
Maximillian J Nelson
author_sort Jonathan D Buckley
collection DOAJ
description Background Foods rich in nutrients, such as nitrate, nitrite, L-arginine and polyphenols, can promote the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which may induce ergogenic effects on endurance exercise performance. Thus, consuming foods rich in these components, such as almonds, dried grapes and dried cranberries (AGC), may improve athletic performance. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of these foods may reduce oxidative damage induced by intense exercise, thus improving recovery and reducing fatigue from strenuous physical training. Improvements in NO synthesis may also promote cerebral blood flow, which may improve cognitive function.Methods and analysis Ninety-six trained male cyclists or triathletes will be randomised to consume ~2550 kJ of either a mixture of AGC or a comparator snack food (oat bar) for 4 weeks during an overreaching endurance training protocol comprised of a 2-week heavy training phase, followed by a 2-week taper. The primary outcome is endurance exercise performance (5 min time-trial performance) and secondary outcomes include markers of NO synthesis (plasma and urinary nitrites and nitrates), muscle damage (serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes), endurance exercise function (exercise efficiency, submaximal oxygen consumption and substrate utilisation), markers of internal training load (subjective well-being, rating of perceived exertion, maximal rate of heart rate increase and peak heart rate) and psychomotor speed (choice reaction time).Conclusion This study will evaluate whether consuming AGC improves endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed across an endurance training programme, and evaluate the mechanisms responsible for any improvement.Trial registration number ACTRN12618000360213.
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spelling doaj-art-dc30cc4a6a1a40c08c83c00b2dc771b52025-08-20T01:54:25ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine2055-76472019-10-015110.1136/bmjsem-2019-000560Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trialJonathan D Buckley0Catherine Yandell1Noah M A d'Unienville2Alison M Hill3Alison M Coates4Maximillian J Nelson5Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaSchool of Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Clinical Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaSchool of Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaBackground Foods rich in nutrients, such as nitrate, nitrite, L-arginine and polyphenols, can promote the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which may induce ergogenic effects on endurance exercise performance. Thus, consuming foods rich in these components, such as almonds, dried grapes and dried cranberries (AGC), may improve athletic performance. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of these foods may reduce oxidative damage induced by intense exercise, thus improving recovery and reducing fatigue from strenuous physical training. Improvements in NO synthesis may also promote cerebral blood flow, which may improve cognitive function.Methods and analysis Ninety-six trained male cyclists or triathletes will be randomised to consume ~2550 kJ of either a mixture of AGC or a comparator snack food (oat bar) for 4 weeks during an overreaching endurance training protocol comprised of a 2-week heavy training phase, followed by a 2-week taper. The primary outcome is endurance exercise performance (5 min time-trial performance) and secondary outcomes include markers of NO synthesis (plasma and urinary nitrites and nitrates), muscle damage (serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes), endurance exercise function (exercise efficiency, submaximal oxygen consumption and substrate utilisation), markers of internal training load (subjective well-being, rating of perceived exertion, maximal rate of heart rate increase and peak heart rate) and psychomotor speed (choice reaction time).Conclusion This study will evaluate whether consuming AGC improves endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed across an endurance training programme, and evaluate the mechanisms responsible for any improvement.Trial registration number ACTRN12618000360213.https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000560.full
spellingShingle Jonathan D Buckley
Catherine Yandell
Noah M A d'Unienville
Alison M Hill
Alison M Coates
Maximillian J Nelson
Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
title Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
title_full Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
title_fullStr Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
title_short Effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
title_sort effects of almond dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance recovery and psychomotor speed protocol of a randomised controlled trial
url https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000560.full
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