Effects of Oral D-Ribose Supplementation on Anaerobic Capacity and Selected Metabolic Markers in Healthy Males

Abstract

Oral D-ribose supplementation has been reported to increase adenine nucleotide synthesis and exercise capacity in certain clinical populations. Theoretically, increasing adenine nucleotide availability may enhance high intensity exercise capacity. This study evaluated the potential ergogenic value of D-ribose supplementation on repetitive high-intensity exercise capacity in 19 trained males. Subjects were familiarized to the testing protocol and performed two practice-testing trials before pre-supplementation testing. Each test involved warming up for 5 min on a cycle ergometer and then performing two 30-s Wingate anaerobic sprint tests on a computerized cycle ergometer separated by 3 min of rest recovery. In the pre- and post-supplementation trials, blood samples were obtained at rest, immediately following the first and second sprints, and following 5 min of recovery from exercise. Subjects were then matched according to body mass and anaerobic capacity and assigned to ingest, in a randomized and double blind manner, capsules containing either 5 g of a dextrose placebo (P) or D-ribose (R) twice daily (10 g/d) for 5 d. Subjects then performed post-supplementation tests on the 6th day. Data were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures. Results revealed a significant interaction (p =.04) in total work output. Post hoc analysis revealed that work significantly declined (-18 +/- 51 J) during the second post-supplementation sprint in the P group while being maintained in the R group (-0.0 +/- 31 J). No significant interactions were observed in peak power, average power, torque, fatigue index, lactate, ammonia, glucose, or uric acid. Results indicate that oral ribose supplementation (10 g/d for 5 d) does not affect anaerobic exercise capacity or metabolic markers in trained subjects as evaluated in this study.

Assessment of Hematological and Biochemical parameters with extended D-Ribose ingestion

“…However, some studies did not find a beneficial role of D-ribose in sports medicine. The inconsistent results found in these studies could primarily be due to differences in study design [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Even so, ribose continues to attract the interest of athletes.…”

Effects of a Carbohydrate-, Protein-, and Ribose-Containing Repletion Drink During 8 Weeks of Endurance Training on Aerobic Capacity, Endurance Performance, and Body Composition

“…Previous studies (4,17,20), however, have reported no energy-related or performance-related benefits to ribose supplementation during exercise. The results of this study supported those of Berardi and Ziegenfuss (4), Kreider et al (17), and Op 't Eijnde et al (20) and indicated that the addition of protein and ribose had no additional benefits to carbohydrates alone for the traininginduced changes in BW, VȮ 2 peak, or TTE. However, the group-related differences observed for the percent change scores in %fat and FFM (Figures 2B, C) could have been due in part to the ribose but may have been more likely caused by the protein contained in the TEST drink.…”

“…In addition, recent studies by Kreider et al (17) and Bernardi and Ziegenfuss (4) have also concluded that ribose supplementation elicited no substantial ergogenic effects on anaerobic performance or metabolic markers, such as blood lactate, ammonia, glucose, or uric acid (17), during short-duration high-intensity cycling. No previous studies, however, have examined the effects of long-term ribose supplementation on aerobic capacity, endurance performance, and body composition.…”

“…Theoretically, ingesting supplemental doses of ribose may increase adenine nucleotide salvage and de novo synthesis, which would preserve the adenine nucleotide pool, increase cellular concentrations of adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and allow rapid restoration of cellular energy (1,5,16,18,22,27,28,35). In clinical populations, ribose has been implicated as an energy-providing supplement that may alter cardiac muscle function, reduce muscle cramping, and increase exercise tolerance (11,12,17,32,36). Therefore, adding ribose to the carbohydrate-protein repletion drink may enhance the muscle recovery and the benefits of endurance training.…”

Varied EMG responses of the quadriceps muscle during a Wingate anaerobic test

“…(1,4) An interesting aspect is that the majority of investigations that have used the WAnT as physical performance index have analyzed the energy systems in isolation (6)(7)(8)(9)(10) or combined with the use of ergogenic aid. (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) Undoubtedly, information produced by these studies has contributed a lot to understanding metabolic aspects and fatigue mechanisms related to high intensity exercise. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that in general in the above studies the analyses were performed by means of blood samples or muscular biopsy.…”