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. 2023 Dec 5:10:1266422.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1266422. eCollection 2023.

Acute consumption of a branched chain amino acid and vitamin B-6 containing sports drink does not improve multiple sprint exercise performance, but increases post-exercise blood glucose

Saro D Farra  1
Affiliations

Acute consumption of a branched chain amino acid and vitamin B-6 containing sports drink does not improve multiple sprint exercise performance, but increases post-exercise blood glucose

Saro D Farra. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the ergogenicity of BioSteel High Performance Sports Drink (B-HPSD), a commercially available branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and vitamin B-6 (VitB-6) supplement, on multiple sprint exercise (MSE).

Methods: Eleven experienced cyclists completed two MSE trials in counterbalanced order, after ingesting either B-HPSD (2,256 mg of BCAA, 300 mcg of VitB-6) or placebo (PLA). The MSE protocol consisted of five maximal effort 1 km sprints on a cycle ergometer separated by 2 min of active recovery. Power output (PO) was continuously measured throughout the cycling protocol. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored following each sprint. Capillary blood samples were collected and analyzed for lactate and glucose before and 2 min post-trial. Cognitive function was assessed before and 15 min after the exercise protocol.

Results: The PO maintained during each 1 km sprint decreased throughout the protocol (p < 0.05), but the change in PO was similar between conditions. Post-exercise blood glucose was elevated after consuming B-HPSD but not PLA (p < 0.05). Blood lactate (p < 0.05), HR (p < 0.05) and RPE (p < 0.05) increased throughout the trials, however no differences were observed between conditions. Cognitive performance improved after exercise (p < 0.05), but the change was similar between conditions.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that acute B-HPSD consumption does not have an ergogenic effect on MSE performance. However, ingestion of B-HPSD increased post-exercise blood glucose concentration when compared to PLA.

Keywords: BioSteel; blood glucose; branched chain amino acids; cycling; multiple sprint exercise; nutritional supplements; sports drinks; vitamin B.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MSE Protocol. HR, Heart rate; BM, Body mass; %BF, Body Fat percentage; PO, Power output; RPE, Ratings of perceived exertion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Composition of BioSteel High Performance Sports Drink per serving (7g). Adapted from the Nutrition Label of BioSteel High Performance Sports Drink (2019).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Blood glucose response pre-and post-MSE for PLA and B-HPSD.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Absolute change in blood glucose for PLA and B-HPSD. Lines denote individual data. *Significantly different than PLA (p = 0.016).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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