Athletes, especially in endurance sports, are at increased risk of oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases and injuries. The production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and inflammatory markers increase during exercise and especially during altitude training. Antioxidant supplementation is commonly used among athletes in the belief that it prevents oxidative stress and oxidative damage. A transient increase of RONS is however necessary to activate signaling cascades initiating training adaptation. Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to inhibit the exercise effects in several independent studies, possibly by interfering/reducing the signal cascades initiated by RONS. However, it is unknown whether a high intake of antioxidant rich foods can affect the amount of RONS, inflammation markers and/or training adaptation. The investigators want to examine whether an increased intake of natural antioxidants in the form of antioxidant-rich foods fruits, vegetables and berries, in line with the official Norwegian dietary advice can affect antioxidant status, immune function and training adaptation associated with altitude training in Norwegian elite athletes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
35
Bama Smoothies (Bama, Oslo, Norway), Freia Premium Dark Chocolate (Freia, Oslo, Norway), Walnuts (Eldorado, Norway), Dried fruits and berries (Cranberries, Gojiberries, apricots)(Bama, Oslo, Norway and Rema 1000, Norway)
Milkshake (Tine, Oslo, Norway), YT restitusjonsdrikk (Tine, Oslo, Norway), Bixit (Sætre, Oslo, Norway), Ritz (Mondelez, Oslo, Norway), White chololate (Freia, Oslo, Norway)
University of Oslo
Oslo, Norway
Norwegian Olympic Federation
Oslo, Norway
Percent change in performance (sport specific tests will be aggregated to one outcome by the use of percent change)
Cycling: 10 000 m on a bike roller; Rowing: 2000 meter on Concept2-apparatus; Paddling: 1000 meter Concept2-apparatus; Swimming: 200 meter
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Training adaptation
change in Vo2-max
Time frame: Measured one week before, and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Training adaptation for swimmers
For swimming only: 100 meter max speed
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in biomarkers of inflammation
change in cytokine profile e.g. IL-6 ,TNF, CRP measured by multiplex technology
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in lean body mass
measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Bone mineral density
measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in fat mass
measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in body composition
measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in body weight
measured by standardized scale
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Dietary intake (change in food and nutrient intake)
measured by repeated 24 hour recalls
Time frame: Measured one and three week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in antioxidant status
e.g. FRAP, ORAC, dROM, isoprostanes measured by HPLC
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
biomarkers of antioxidant-rich foods
e.g. carotenoids, flavonoids measured by HPLC
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in whole blood gene expression
Fasting blood samples (PAX-tubes) and samples taken after physical stress test (PAX-tubes). RNA will be isolated and gene expression measured
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in blood lipids
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change hormones
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in micronutrients
e.g. iron status
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change response to stress test
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in hemoglobin
CO-rebreathing-method
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in blood volume
CO-rebreathing-method
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in plasma volume
CO-rebreathing-method
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in lactate
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Total training load
Training diary
Time frame: Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
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