The goal of this study is to determine whether consuming a commercially available exogenous ketone supplement (KetoneIQ®) affects cognition, specifically marksmanship, under physical stress (i.e., exhaustive exercise). The main questions we seek to answer are: * Does the supplement save cognitive performance under stress compared to a placebo? * Does the supplement improve marksmanship under stress compared to a placebo?
In this study, 20 active SWAT team members will be randomized into two groups: Exogenous Ketone Supplement (EKS) and Placebo (PLA). Participants will complete the trial in a crossover manner (meaning each participant will complete both EKS and PLA conditions) Our primary outcome of interest is changes in cognitive performance following an exhaustive exercise bout. Secondary outcomes include: changes in marksmanship accuracy and speed, and changes in select biomarkers (catecholamines, cortisol, and BDNF). Although ketone supplements are marketed for energy and cognitive performance, little is known about how they affect biological markers during stressful environments. Findings from this study may help inform safe, evidence-based use of such supplements among tactical athletes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
20
Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
RECRUITINGCognitive Performance
Changes in Score for the Trail Making Test, Psychomotor Vigilance Test, and Flanker Test.
Time frame: Baseline (minute 0) to Post Suppelementation (minute 45) to Post Exercise (minute 60)
Changes in Circulating Concentration of Brain Derieved Neurotrophic Factor
To assess changes in BDNF from baseline to post supplementation to post exercise
Time frame: Baseline (minute 0) to post supplementation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)
Changes in Circulating Catecholamines Concetrations
To assess changes in the circulating concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
Time frame: From baseline (minute 0) to post supplemenation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)
Changes in Circulating Cortisol Concentration
To assess changes in circulating cortisol between groups
Time frame: From baseline (minute 0) to post supplemetation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)
Weapons Familarization Score
To assess whether potentially improved cognitive performance translates to tactical-specific tasks. Rifle disassembly, reassembly, and functions check. This will be quantified by number of errors and time to completion
Time frame: Post Exercise (minute 60)
Marksmanship efficiency
To determine whether potentially improved cognitive performance translates to live-round marksmanship. Using HIT Factor scoring (an aggregate of accuracy and time to completion, where a higher number is better), we will assess both accuracy and speed to completion for a shuttle fire drill
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Time frame: Post Exercise (minute 60)