Effects of Tetraselmis chuii Microalgae Supplementation on Ergospirometric, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Amateur Soccer Players

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the effects of Tetraselmis chuii (TC) microalgae supplementation during thirty days on ergospirometric, haematological and biochemical parameters in amateur soccer players. Thirty-two amateur soccer players divided into a control group (CG; n = 16; 22.36 ± 1.36 years; 68.36 ± 3.53 kg) and a supplemented group (SG; n = 16; 22.23 ± 2.19 years; 69.30 ± 5.56 kg) participated in the double-blind study. SG ingested 200 mg of the TC per day, while CG ingested 200 mg per day of lactose powder. Supplementation was carried out for thirty days. The participants performed a maximal treadmill test until exhaustion. The ergospirometric values at different ventilatory thresholds and haematological values were obtained after the test. Heart rate decreased after supplementation with TC (p < 0.05). Oxygen pulse, relative and absolute maximum oxygen consumption increased in SG (pre vs. post; 19.04 ± 2.53 vs. 22.08 ± 2.25; 53.56 ± 3.26 vs. 56.74 ± 3.43; 3.72 ± 0.35 vs. 3.99 ± 0.25; p < 0.05). Haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin increased in SG (pre vs. post; 15.12 ± 0.87 vs. 16.58 ± 0.74 p < 0.01; 28.03 ± 1.57 vs. 30.82 ± 1.21; p < 0.05). On the other hand, haematocrit and mean platelet volume decreased in SG (p < 0.05). TC supplementation elicited improvements in ergospirometric and haematological values in amateur soccer players. TC supplementation could be valuable for improving performance in amateur athletes.

Effects of Tetraselmis chuii Microalgae Supplementation on Anthropometric, Hormonal and Hematological Parameters in Healthy Young Men: A Double-Blind Study

“…Currently, there is little scientific literature assessing the effect of TC intake on human physiology. In this respect, this investigation has used as a reference the study carried out by Toro et al (2020) where the effects of TC intake in athletes were evaluated, observing different hematological and ergo-spirometric changes [7]. Thus, we considered it interesting to evaluate the neuroendocrine response generated by the intake of TC and to elucidate possible mechanisms of action underlying these effects.…”

“…The present investigation followed all the methodological guidelines proposed by Toro et al (2020) [7].…”

“…It is now widely recognized that microalgae synthesize a large variety of bioactive molecules, such as peptides, lipids, and other pigments, with different effects on human physiology [6]. Hence, both in the health and sports fields, there has been a growing interest in the knowledge of the biochemical effects that could be triggered by the consumption of these microorganisms [7,8]. In this respect, microalgae bioactive peptides act through biosignaling mechanisms similar to the signaling mechanisms of hormones [9].…”

“…Recently, it has been shown that this microalga possesses significant concentrations of antioxidant enzymes that could considerably decrease the rates of oxidative stress both in vivo in humans and in vitro in myoblasts [19] and in vitro in human skeletal muscle myoblasts [20]. Therefore, the promising results obtained in a preliminary study by Toro et al (2020), where the effects of TC supplementation in athletes were evaluated, prompted the design of the present investigation with the aim of overcoming some of its limitations and complementing its findings [7]. Among them, to analyze the effects of different doses of TC to discover the effective dose.…”

Efecto de la suplementación con hidratos de carbono y proteínas sobre el rendimiento físico deportivo en futbolistas amateur y profesionales

“…10,11,14 Otro SN poco utilizado que tuvo efectos positivos en los marcadores bioquímicos y en el rendimiento fue una microalga denominada Tetrasekmis chuii (TC) compuesta de PT, HCO, AA, minerales y ácidos grasos. 18 La tabla 1 recoge los autores, el año, el tipo de SN utilizado y la administración del mismo, así como la forma en la que se midieron las variables (tests y pruebas) y los resultados de los trabajos más relevantes de la revisión.…”