The effects of IQPLUS Focus on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and following acute exercise

Abstract

BackgroundPhosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes of most animals and plants. PS has been shown to reduce stress and increase performance in runners, cyclists and golfers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a PS containing formulation on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and after intense resistance exercise.Methods18 lower body, resistance trained, college aged males ingested 14 days of supplement (IQPLUS Focus, providing 400 mg of soy-derived PS) and a Placebo (PL), in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over manner. Following 14 days of supplementation, participants performed an acute bout of lower body resistance training. Mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS) and cognitive function (Serial Subtraction Test, SST) were measured prior to, 5 minutes after, and 60 minutes after exercise. Venous blood samples were collected prior to, and 5, 15, 25, 40 and 60 minutes after exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma cortisol and testosterone. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsPS supplementation significantly reduced the time needed for a correct calculation on the SST by 20% (reduced by 1.27 s per calculation; PL: 6.4 s, PS: 5.13 s; p = 0.001), and reduced the total amount of errors by 39% (PL: 1.28 + .69, PS: .78 + .27, p = 0.53), and increased the amount of correct calculations by 13% (PL: 22.1 + 2.24, PS: 24.9 + 1.52, p = 0.07) prior to or in response to exercise compared to PL. Following exercise, there was no difference in SST scores between PS and PL. There were no significant changes in regards to mood or endocrine response to exercise as a result of PS supplementation.ConclusionPS supplementation significantly increased cognitive function prior to exercise. Improved cognitive function could benefit athletes and non-athletes alike. PS did not appear to affect mood or endocrine response prior to or following resistance exercise.

Effects of short-term ingestion of Russian Tarragon prior to creatine monohydrate supplementation on whole body and muscle creatine retention and anaerobic sprint capacity: a preliminary investigation

“…However, the dosage in that study was significantly greater than the present study (500 mg/kg bodyweight). Further evidence of the anti-hyperglycemic effects of RT has been provided by Pischel et al [29]. Using the same aqueous extract of RT and dosage used in the current study, Pischel et al [29] reported lower blood glucose levels in both animals and humans (albeit non-statistically) following ingestion.…”

Phosphatidylserine for the Athlete

“…Monteleone et al (30) also found that supplementing with 400 mg/d of PS for 10 days did not affect cortisol levels. Based on the findings of Monteleone et al (30) and Parker et al (33), 400 mg/d of PS supplemented for 10-14 days may be inadequate to blunt the rise in cortisol from exercise. It may be necessary to either use higher dosages (i.e., 800 mg/d of PS) or to load for longer durations (i.e., .14 days) to receive benefits from PS in regards to the blunting of cortisol induced by exercise.…”

“…Parker et al (33) examined the effects of 400 mg/d of S-PS supplemented over 14 days on 18 lower-body resistance-trained males using a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, crossover design without a washout period. The investigators measured cognitive performance, mood, and endocrine response (cortisol and testosterone) before and after a lower-body resistance training session involving 5 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of their 1 repetition maximum using the squat, leg press, and leg extension exercise (the researchers noted an 87% increase in plasma cortisol during pilot work for the study).…”

“…Research on PS shows it has unique properties reducing cortisol levels after exercise (8,11,29,30,36), which would lead to an improved testosterone to cortisol ratio (36). Furthermore, research on PS has shown it to enhance mood, performance, recovery, immunity, decision making, accuracy, and cognition (8,11,18,19,24,33). The purpose of this article is to discuss PS, review the literature on the supplement PS, and describe which population might benefit most from its supplementation.…”

Effects of milk-based phospholipids on cognitive performance and subjective responses to psychosocial stress: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in high-perfectionist men

“…Additionally, Schubert, Contreras, Franz, and Hellhammer [18] reported improved visuospatial memory in a post-hoc split of high stress load older adults after intake of a similar PL drink. Furthermore, supplementation with S-PS has been shown to 4 improve serial subtraction test accuracy and completion time in young males [19]. However, these effects were independent of cortisol or subjective stress response.…”