Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplementation changes energy system contribution and improves performance during high-intensity intermittent exercise in physically active individuals: a double-blind and placebo controlled study

Abstract

Background: Nutritional ergogenic aids are commonly used to boost physiological adaptations to exercise and promote greater fitness gains. However, there is a paucity of data about multi-ingredient pre-workout supplementation (MIPS). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of MIPS on the oxidative, glycolytic and ATP-CP energy systems contribution, time spent above 90% VO 2max (T90% VO 2max ), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) magnitude, number of efforts and time to exhaustion during a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) session. Methods: Twelve physically-active and healthy men completed the HIIE sessions that involved running bouts of 15 s on the treadmill at 120% of the maximum aerobic speed (MAS), interspersed with 15 s of passive recovery. Blood lactate was collected at immediately post, 3, 5, and 7 min post exercise. The contribution of ATP-CP, glycolytic and oxidative systems was analyzed at rest, during the HIIE sessions and for 20 min post. Performance variables (time to exhaustion, number of efforts) and oxygen consumption were also analyzed. Results: MIPS significantly increased the number of efforts performed (MIPS: 41 ± 10 vs Placebo: 36 ± 12, p = 0.0220) and time to exhaustion (MIPS: 20.1 ± 6 min vs Placebo: 17 ± 5 min, p = 0.0226). There was no difference between supplements for both T90% VO 2max (p = 0.9705) and EPOC (p = 0.4930). Consuming MIPS significantly increased the absolute oxidative energy system contribution by 23.8% (p = 0.0163) and the absolute ATP-CP contribution by 28.4% (p = 0.0055) compared to placebo. There was only a non-significant tendency for a higher glycolytic system contribution after MIPS ingestion (p = 0.0683).

Impact of Optimal Timing of Intake of Multi-Ingredient Performance Supplements on Sports Performance, Muscular Damage, and Hormonal Behavior across a Ten-Week Training Camp in Elite Cyclists: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Sports performance improvements were probably due to reduced muscle damage [52,53] and stimulation of anabolic hormone [51] action attributable to the MIPS' content. MIPS supplementation appears to be effective in increasing the energy contribution on aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and increasing energy expenditure would increase the time to exhaustion [54]. In addition, ingestion of ingested MIPS would allow cyclists to endure higher plasma lactate levels and for longer periods of time.…”

The Effect of Acute Pre-Workout Supplement Ingestion on Basketball-Specific Performance of Well-Trained Athletes

“…PWS consumption in recreationally or physically trained males leads to many performance-enhancing benefits, including improvements in mean power output during single and repeated sprints [ 15 , 16 ], agility, reaction times, lower body muscular endurance and reduced fatigue [ 17 , 18 ]. PWS ingestion also improves anaerobic performance [ 19 ] and prolongs time to exhaustion during high-intensity intermittent exercise [ 20 ]. In addition, PWSs seem to increase the capacity for greater training volumes, muscular endurance, and power performance throughout a training session [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Acute effects of multi-ingredient pre-workout dietary supplement on anaerobic performance in untrained men: a randomized, crossover, single blind study

“…Martinez et al [ 33 ] showed significant increases in peak and mean power in Wingate anaerobic test following consumption of MIPS. In a study by Figueiredo et al [ 34 ], acute MIPS consumption was effective at increasing aerobic and anaerobic alactic energy contribution and time to exhaustion. In other studies, no effect of acute MIPS consumption was found on Wingate anaerobic cycling performance [ 35 , 36 ].…”

“…Literature and qualitative studies examining the effectiveness of MIPS supplementation are only preliminary [ 6 ], and previously published papers reported contradictory data [ 33 – 36 ]. Ingestion of the pre-workout dietary supplement led to significant improvements in anaerobic peak and mean power values measured in Wingate test in recreationally trained males [ 33 ], and was effective at increasing both aerobic and anaerobic alactic energy contribution and time to exhaustion during a high-intensity interval exercise in physically active individuals [ 34 ]. Another studies [ 35 , 36 ] found no effect of MIPS on on muscular endurance and Wingate anaerobic capacity sprint performance in recreationally active participants or strength/power athletes.…”