Acute Capsaicin Supplementation Improves Resistance Training Performance in Trained Men

Abstract

Conrado de Freitas, M, Cholewa, JM, Freire, RV, Carmo, BA, Bottan, J, Bratfich, M, Della Bandeira, MP, Gonçalves, DC, Caperuto, EC, Lira, FS, and Rossi, FE. Acute capsaicin supplementation improves resistance training performance in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2227-2232, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of capsaicin supplementation on performance, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentrations during resistance exercise in healthy trained young men. Ten resistance-trained men (age = 22.7 ± 4.0 years, mass = 82.3 ± 9.6 kg, and height = 175 ± 0.1 cm) completed 2 randomized, double-blind trials: capsaicin condition (12 mg) or a placebo condition. Forty-five minutes after supplement consumption, subjects performed 4 sets until movement failure in the squat exercise at 70% of 1 repetition maximum with 90 seconds of rest interval between sets. The total mass lifted (total repetitions × mass lifted) was calculated. The RPE was recorded after the last set. Blood lactate was analyzed after each set of exercise, immediately postexercise, and after 3, 5, and at 30 minutes during recovery. The number of repetitions in each set decreased significantly after all sets compared with set-1 and after set-3 and set-4 in relation to set-2 (p < 0.001); however, total mass lifted was higher in capsaicin compared with placebo (3,919.4 ± 1,227.4 kg vs. 3,179.6 ± 942.4 kg, p = 0.002). Blood lactate increased significantly after each set (p < 0.001); however, there were no differences between conditions. Rate of perceived exertion was significantly less for the capsaicin condition than placebo (17.2 ± 1.0 vs. 18.3 ± 1.7, p = 0.048). In summary, acute capsaicin supplementation improves lower-body resistance training performance in trained young men.

Can taste be ergogenic?

“…To date, only four studies have investigated the ergogenic properties of capsaicin ingestion [64,65,66] or mouth swilling [12] in humans, and as such an array of protocols, dosages and performance measures have been assessed. Three studies have investigated the effect of acute supplementation of capsaicin (12 mg) 45 min prior to athletic performance in a 1500-m running time trial [65], four sets of 70% 1RM repeated squats to failure [13], and time to exhaustion during repeated 15-s treadmill running at 120% VO with 15-s rest intervals [66]. Capsaicin supplementation improved 1500-m time-trial performance (CAP 371.6 ± 40.8 s vs. Pla 376.7 ± 39 s), total mass lifted (CAP 3,919.4 ± 1,227.4 kg vs. Pla 3,179.6 ± 942.4 kg) and time to exhaustion (CAP 1530 ± 515 s vs. Pla 1342 ± 446 s) compared to placebo.…”

“…Capsaicin supplementation improved 1500-m time-trial performance (CAP 371.6 ± 40.8 s vs. Pla 376.7 ± 39 s), total mass lifted (CAP 3,919.4 ± 1,227.4 kg vs. Pla 3,179.6 ± 942.4 kg) and time to exhaustion (CAP 1530 ± 515 s vs. Pla 1342 ± 446 s) compared to placebo. RPE was also significantly lower, although no differences in blood lactate were shown [13,65]. Researchers suggested that capsaicin supplementation may have stimulated activation of TRPV1 in skeletal muscle increasing calcium release at the sarcoplasmic reticulum, a phenomenon seen in rodent studies [67].…”

“…This increased influx of calcium may have resulted in greater actin and myosin interactions leading to improved performance. Alternatively, capsaicin has been shown to have an analgesic effect [61], which may have lowered RPE values and facilitated performance [13]. Increased endurance capabilities may also be facilitated by spared glycogen and concomitant increase in lipolysis through capsaicin ingestion [68, 69,70].…”

“…Assessment of the physiological responses to taste has not escaped sports scientists, with many 'tastes' now investigated within the literature [11,12,13,14,15] with a view to attenuating fatigue or improving physical or cognitive performance. Depending upon the tastant investigated, impressions of energy availability [16,17], thermal perceptions [11,12,18] and central drive [15,19] may be altered.…”

Capsaicin analog supplementation is not effective to improve 10-km running time-trial performance in amateur athletes: a randomized, crossover, double-blind and placebo-controlled study

“…The second trial was performed in a cross-over manner. In both conditions, subjects ingested two capsules of 12 mg of CAP (24 mg) or placebo according to our previous study that demonstrated bene ts of such an application rate [26]. Participants ingested one capsule 45 minutes before the test and the second one immediately before the start of the 10-km running test.…”