This study aims to investigate the effects of post-exercise and pre-sleep exogenous ketosis via oral ketone ester supplementation during a 5 week simulated altitude training camp.
Altitude training camps, where you train at sea level but live at altitude, have become a popular way for athletes to prepare for upcoming races or events. The main aim of such training camps is to benefit from the adaptations following prolonged hypoxic exposure (increased EPO concentrations leading to an increase in oxygen carrying capacity in the blood). Recently, ketone bodies have been shown to cause similar adaptations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether the combination of exogenous ketosis and an altitude training camp is more beneficial compared to an altitude training camp on its own. Participants will follow a 5 week simulated altitude training camp where they spend 75 hours per week at altitude (2000-3000 meters), while taking ketone or placebo supplements after every training sessions and before going to sleep. During these 5 weeks, they will adhere to a prescribed training plan, consisting of 5 to 7 training sessions per week. Before, after and 1 week after the training camp, their exercise performance, EPO concentrations, hemoglobin mass and VO2max will be tested.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
18
oral supplement containing: 16.4 grams of medium chained triglycerides, 1mM or sucrose octaacetate and water
Oral supplement containing: 25 grams of pure (R)-3-hydroxybutyl-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ketone monoester drink
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
RECRUITINGTotal hemoglobin mass
Using the optimized CO-re-breathing method, total hemoglobin mass will be estimated
Time frame: Day 0, Day 35, Day 42
Skeletal muscle capillarization
Changes in muscle capillarization are measured using immunohistochemical anlyses
Time frame: Day 0, Day 35, Day 42
Cycling exercise performance
maximal average power output during a 30 minute time trial, cycling efficiency test and repeated sprint test
Time frame: Day 0, Day 35, Day 42
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)
Using ergospirometry VO2max will be measured during a graded exercise test
Time frame: Day 0, Day 35, Day 42
Change in peripheral blood flow
Measured using duplex ultrasonography
Time frame: Day 0, Day 35, Day 42
Serum EPO concentrations
Serum EPO concentrations will be measured using a commercially available ELISA kit
Time frame: Day 0, day1, week1, week2, week3, week4, week5, day35, day42
Sleep Architecture
Polysomnography will be used to measure sleep architecture
Time frame: Day 0, day1, week 3, day35, day42
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