Spirulina supplementation improves oxygen uptake in arm cycling exercise

Abstract

Purpose Spirulina has previously been reported to improve high-intensity exercise performance and hemoglobin. However, spirulina’s effect on arm cycling exercise has yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of spirulina supplementation on hemoglobin and on oxygen uptake, RER and HR during seated arm cycling exercise. Methods In a double-blinded randomized crossover design, eleven males untrained in arm cycling ingested 6 g/day of spirulina or placebo for seven days. Seated on the Arm Crank Ergometer, each participant performed a baseline V̇O2max test, and then after supplementation, 2 × 30-min submaximal exercise bouts corresponding to 55% of their V̇O2max, followed by an incremental test to fatigue. A seven-day wash-out period was required between conditions. Oxygen uptake, RER and HR were measured continuously during exercise and hemoglobin measured prior to exercise after both conditions. Results Spirulina significantly (p < 0.05) increased Hb in comparison to Placebo (144.1 g/l ± 10.5 Vs 154.5 g/l ± 6.9). After spirulina supplementation, during the 30-min exercise bouts, oxygen uptake and HR were significantly lower (2170 ml/min ± 173 Vs 2311 ml/min ± 189 and 154 bpm ± 14 Vs 149 bpm ± 17), RER was not significantly different. In comparison to placebo, Spirulina significantly increased oxygen uptake at time of fatigue (34.10 ml/min/kg ± 6.03 Vs 37.37 ml/min/kg ± 5.98). Time taken to fatigue was not different. Conclusion Spirulina supplementation significantly reduces oxygen uptake and HR during arm cycling submaximal exercise, allowing for an increased oxygen uptake during an incremental test to fatigue.

Twenty-one days of spirulina supplementation lowers heart rate during submaximal cycling and augments power output during repeated sprints in trained cyclists

“…Following SP supplementation, a continuous lower heart rate and lactate response (Figure 2) in comparison to placebo transpired, consistent with previous research trends (Kalpana et al, 2017;Hernández-Lepe et al, 2018;Gurney & Spendiff, 2020;Torres-Durán et al, 2012).…”

“…Fifteen trained, healthy male, experienced cyclists volunteered and gave their written consent to participate in the study (Mean ± SD; Age 40 ± 8 years, Stature 182.3 ± 6.2 cm, Mass 77.4 ± 6.8 kg, average weekly self-reported Kilometers/hours cycled 198.3 ± 68.0 km/8.0 ± 3.0 hrs, V O2max 51.14 ± 6.43 ml/min/kg). A priori power analysis in G*Power® software (version 3.1.9.2; Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany) (Faul et al, 2007) using an alpha of .05 and a power of .80, and using the improvement in heart rate during submaximal arm cranking with SP from our previous work (Gurney & Spendiff, 2020), indicated that a sample size of 15 participants were required to detect a medium effect for SP supplementation.…”

“…Previous SP supplementation research has also reported improvements in hemoglobin (Hb) (Gurney & Spendiff, 2020;Kelkar et al, 2008;Milasius et al, 2009;Selmi et al, 2011;Ulivar et al, 2000). However, thus far, how these increases in Hb might influence exercise performance has received little attention and remains unanswered.…”

“…For example, it is well reported that Hb is indispensable for oxygen transport and cell respiration (Buratti et al, 2015), and even trivial increases in Hb have been associated with improving oxygen transport to the working muscles which therefore could improve aerobic oxidative capacity and V O2max (Buratti et al, 2015;Mairbäurl, 2013). As such, recent research has reported SP to reduce heart rate and improve oxygen uptake during arm cycling exercise (Gurney & Spendiff, 2020).…”

The Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Redox Status and Performance Following a Muscle Damaging Protocol

“…However, acute physical exercise with a certain high intensity and duration may induce an increase in the production of ROS [ 13 , 14 ]. Previous work on spirulina supplementation and exercise training has revealed positive results [ 15 , 16 , 17 ] and work from our laboratory has shown that acute supplementation of spirulina increased aerobic exercise performance, as was evident by increased time to exhaustion to a determined load, decreased carbohydrate and increased fat oxidation and lower lipid peroxidation [ 18 ].…”