Nowadays, many persons who exercise consume dietary supplements. Previous scientific studies have found that protein supplementation increases muscle mass when combined with an exercise program. In addition, vitamin D probably improves performance and muscle function. Likewise, ω3 fatty acids, apart from improving cardiovascular function, may also increase protein synthesis and performance. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a novel aquaculture-based sport supplement of proteins, ω3 fatty acids and vitamin D on physical performance, body composition, and the biochemical profile of persons following high-intensity functional training (HIFT). The efficacy of the experimental supplement (E) will be compared with whey protein (W) and maltodextrin (a carbohydrate) as placebo (P). Thirty healthy trained individuals (15 male and 15 female), aged 18-35, will take E, W, and P during three 6-week periods of HIFT (a different supplement each period) with three workouts a week and a washout (no supplement) period of 2 weeks between supplementation periods. E is a combination of powder, containing protein and vitamin D, and capsules containing ω3 fatty acids. When on E, participants will receive 0.6 g protein/kg body weight, 20 μg vitamin D, and 1.8 g ω3 fatty acids daily. When on W, they will receive 0.6 g protein/kg body weight and, when on P, they will receive 0.6 g maltodextrin/kg body weight daily. The order of E, W, and P will be random and counterbalanced. Throughout the study, participants will be on isoenergetic nutritional plans to avoid differences in energy intake that might compromise the validity of the study. The dietary plans will be individualized and will provided 1.0 g protein/kg body weight/day. Participants will undergo measurements of muscle strength, muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, and body composition prior to the first supplementation period, between periods, and after the third period. Also, blood amino acids, fatty acid acids, vitamin D, hematology, biochemistry, and hormones will be measured. To avoid bias, assessors will not know which supplement each participant is taking during each period. The main hypotheses of the study are: 1) Consumption of E will increase lean body mass compared to W and P; 2) consumption of E will improve muscle strength, muscle endurance, and aerobic capacity compared to W and P; and 3) consumption of E will result in a better blood amino acid, fatty acid, and vitamin D profile.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
25
Intake of fish protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D
Intake of whey protein
Intake of maltodextrin
Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance
Thessaloniki, Greece
Plasma amino acid profile pre-supplementation
Plasma amino acid profile (that is, the concentration of each individual amino acid) will be determined by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Plasma amino acid profile post-supplementation
Plasma amino acid profile (that is, the concentration of each individual amino acid) will be determined by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Whole-blood fatty acid profile pre-supplementation
Whole-blood fatty acid profile (that is, the concentration of each individual fatty acid) will be determined by gas chromatography.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Whole-blood fatty acid profile post-supplementation
Whole-blood fatty acid profile (that is, the concentration of each individual fatty acid) will be determined by gas chromatography.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Maximal dynamic strength of shoulder muscles pre-supplementation
Maximal dynamic strength of shoulder muscles will be assessed by measurement of one-repetition maximum.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Maximal dynamic strength of shoulder muscles post-supplementation
Maximal dynamic strength of shoulder muscles will be assessed by measurement of one-repetition maximum.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Force-velocity relationship of knee flexors and extensors pre-supplementation
Force-velocity relationship of knee flexors and extensors will be assessed in isokinetic dynamometer.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Force-velocity relationship of knee flexors and extensors post-supplementation
Force-velocity relationship of knee flexors and extensors will be assessed in isokinetic dynamometer.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Aerobic fitness pre-supplementation
Aerobic fitness will be assessed by measurement of maximal oxygen uptake through a maximal graded exercise test on treadmill.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Aerobic fitness post-supplementation
Aerobic fitness will be assessed by measurement of maximal oxygen uptake through a maximal graded exercise test on treadmill.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Lean and fat mass pre-supplementation
Lean and fat mass of the whole body and its parts (trunk, legs and arms) will be assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Lean and fat mass post-supplementation
Lean and fat mass of the whole body and its parts (trunk, legs and arms) will be assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Plasma vitamin D concentration pre-supplementation
Vitamin D will be measured by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Plasma vitamin D concentration post-supplementation
Vitamin D will be measured by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Muscle endurance pre-supplementation
Muscle endurance will be assessed by performing multiple sit-ups, knee flexions and knee extensions.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Muscle endurance post-supplementation
Muscle endurance will be assessed by performing multiple sit-ups, knee flexions and knee extensions.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Force-velocity relationship of shoulder muscles pre-supplementation
Force-velocity relationship of shoulder muscles will be assessed by a linear encoder.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks before the beginning of supplementation.
Force-velocity relationship of shoulder muscles post-supplementation
Force-velocity relationship of shoulder muscles will be assessed by a linear encoder.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks after the end of supplementation.
Full blood count pre-supplementation
Full blood count will be performed by flow cytometry.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Full blood count post-supplementation
Full blood count will be performed by flow cytometry.
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Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Biochemical analyses pre-supplementation
Plasma glucose, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, urea, and creatinine (all in mg/dL) will be measured by chemiluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Biochemical analyses post-supplementation
Plasma glucose, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, urea, and creatinine (all in mg/dL) will be measured by chemiluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Plasma enzymes pre-supplementation
Creatine kinase and γ-glutamyltransferase (both in U/L) will be measured by chemiluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Plasma enzymes post-supplementation
Creatine kinase and γ-glutamyltransferase (both in U/L) will be measured by chemiluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Hormonal analyses pre-supplementation
Plasma cortisol and testosterone (both in μg/dL) will be measured by immunoluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days before the beginning of supplementation.
Hormonal analyses post-supplementation
Plasma cortisol and testosterone (both in μg/dL) will be measured by immunoluminescence in an automated analyzer.
Time frame: Within 2 days after the end of supplementation.
Internal load of exercise pre-supplementation
The internal load of exercise will be assessed by telemetric heart rate sensors and software.
Time frame: Within the first week of supplementation.
Internal load of exercise post-supplementation
The internal load of exercise will be assessed by telemetric heart rate sensors and software.
Time frame: Within the last week of supplementation (week 6).