The impact of a pre-loaded multi-ingredient performance supplement on muscle soreness and performance following downhill running

Abstract

The effects of multi-ingredient performance supplements (MIPS) on perceived soreness, strength, flexibility and vertical jump performance following eccentric exercise are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of MIPS (NO-Shotgun®) pre-loaded 4 weeks prior to a single bout of downhill running (DHR) on muscle soreness and performance. Trained male runners (n = 20) were stratified by VO2max, strength, and lean mass into two groups; MIPS (n = 10) ingested one serving daily of NO-Shotgun® for 28 days and 30 min prior to all post-testing visits, Control (CON; n = 10) consumed an isocaloric maltodextrin placebo in an identical manner as MIPS. Perceived soreness and performance measurements (strength, flexibility, and jump height) were tested on 6 occasions; 28 days prior to DHR, immediately before DHR (PRE), immediately post (POST) DHR, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-DHR. Perceived soreness significantly increased (p < 0.05) post DHR compared to PRE at all time-points, with no difference between groups. Creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased over time (p < 0.001) with no group x time interactions (p = 0.236 and p = 0.535, respectively). Significant time effects were measured for strength (p = 0.001), flexibility (p = 0.025) and vertical jump (p < 0.001). There were no group x time interactions for any performance measurements. Consumption of MIPS for 4 weeks prior to a single bout of DHR did not affect perceived soreness, muscle damage, strength, flexibility, or jump performance compared to an isocaloric placebo in trained male runners following a single bout of DHR.

Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief review

“…Köhne and colleagues [ 64 ] explored the effects of a MIPS on flexibility, muscle damage, and power in female runners who performed a single bout of downhill running during the mid-follicular phase following 28 days of supplementation. Though Köhne and colleagues did not find any differences between MIPS and placebo with regard to any outcome measure, these results are very similar to a study performed in men using a nearly identical study design and the same supplement [ 56 ]. Another study using only female participants found that MIPS did not influence RMR or body composition when compared to placebo [ 66 ], though menstrual control was not mentioned in the manuscript.…”

“…Blend 4: (376 mg) Caffeine 30 min prior to exercise or immediately upon waking on off days. NA Skinfolds, perceived soreness VAS, ROM, vertical jump, isokinetic and isometric strength using isokinetic dynamometer, VO 2max , before and after a single bout of downhill running 1 ↔ Isometric and isokinetic strength ↔ Flexibility ↔ Power ↔ Perceived soreness [ 56 ] Köhne et al 2016 8 trained female runners Double-blind, placebo controlled, 28-day supplementation study b Prop. Blend 1: (9660 mg) Casein Protein Whey Protein BCAAs L-arginine Prop.…”

“…Regardless, these results suggest that chronic MIPS ingestion either with or without post-exercise protein will potentiate training adaptations resulting from a resistance exercise program. However, another investigator found no benefit of an identical MIPS on strength outcomes in resistance-trained males [ 55 ] or aerobically-trained males [ 56 ]. Notably, the resistance trained males consuming this specific MIPS also consumed a post-workout protein supplement, which also likely influenced training adaptations.…”

“…Early evidence suggests that long-term MIPS consumption has little effect on soreness, inflammation, and biomarkers of muscle damage resulting from exercise. Ormsbee et al [ 56 ] found no effect of 4 weeks of MIPS consumption on perceived soreness, post-damage muscle function, or biochemical measures of muscle damage in endurance-trained males who performed a damaging downhill running bout. These results were mirrored in a trained female population by Köhne et al [ 64 ], who reported that participants who consumed MIPS for 28 days prior to and 3 days after a bout of downhill running had no significant changes in soreness, muscle function, biomarkers of muscle damage, or inflammation, though effect size analysis suggested that MIPS slightly attenuated the inflammatory response to exercise.…”

Nutritional and Supplementation Strategies to Prevent and Attenuate Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: a Brief Review

“…Due to the varied ingredient profile of these supplements and prevalence of proprietary blends, the efficacy and mechanism of action can vary substantially between individual supplement formulations [151]. Ormsbee et al [152] found no effect of 31 days of MIPS consumption (21 g/day) on functional and biochemical measures of EIMD after downhill running in trained male runners. A later study by the same group [17] using a cohort of trained female runners found that prophylactic consumption of the same MIPS (21 g/day for 28 days) likewise had no effect on markers of damage after a similar exercise stimulus.…”