ECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN08
INTRODUCTION: Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained significant traction in sports science due to its purported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. While marketed as a recovery-enhancing agent, empirical evidence remains equivocal, particularly in older populations (50–75 years) where aging-related physiological shifts may alter recovery kinetics and metabolic responses. This study evaluated the effects of short-term oral CBD supplementation on biochemical markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and functional strength restoration following an intensive resistance-training stimulus in healthy older adults. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 16 participants (50–65 years) underwent two 3-day interventions separated by a washout period. Participants received either 200 mg·day⁻¹ of oral CBD or a placebo (PLA), administered for two days prior and immediately before the exercise challenge. The EIMD protocol consisted of a 1RM back-squat assessment followed by a high-volume damaging bout (back squats and unilateral lunges). Serum myoglobin (Myo) was quantified at pre-exercise (T0), immediately post (T1), and 3 h post-exercise (T3). Creatine kinase (CK) and back-squat 1RM were assessed at T0 and 24 h post-exercise (T24). Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT) were monitored at T−2 (baseline) and T24 to assess hepatotoxicity. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models (LMM) with fixed effects for condition, time, and their interaction. RESULTS: LMM revealed a significant main effect of time for Myo (F(2,74)=86.16, p<0.001). Surprisingly, CBD elicited a significantly higher overall Myo response compared to PLA (condition effect: p=0.030), with T3 concentrations reaching 142.8±106.8 µg·L⁻¹ (CBD) vs. 116.4±93.6 µg·L⁻¹ (PLA). While CK increased significantly from T0 to T24 (p<0.001), no condition (p=0.105) or interaction effects (p=0.262) were observed, despite a numerical trend toward higher values in CBD (373.1±464.2 U·L⁻¹) versus PLA (258.2±300.5 U·L⁻¹). Neuromuscular performance (1RM) showed no significant difference between conditions (p=0.357). Regarding safety markers, AST was significantly higher in the CBD condition (p=0.030), whereas ALT and GGT remained unaffected (p≥0.778). CONCLUSION: Short-term CBD supplementation (200 mg·day⁻¹) failed to attenuate EIMD or accelerate functional recovery in older adults. Contrarily, CBD was associated with a modest but significant elevation in Myo and AST, suggesting a potential alteration in metabolic stress or membrane permeability. These results challenge the current narrative of CBD as an immediate ergogenic recovery aid in aging cohorts. Future research should elucidate whether higher dosages, chronic loading periods, or specific individual responder profiles influence the pharmacodynamic profile of CBD in the context of geriatric exercise physiology.
Read CV Patrick DielECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN08
INTRODUCTION: β-alanine is a widely used ergogenic aid with potential benefits for high-intensity exercise. While chronic β-alanine supplementation has been extensively investigated, evidence regarding the acute effects of β-alanine ingestion on repeated-sprint performance and hydration-related markers remains limited. This study examined the effects of acute β-alanine ingestion on repeated-sprint performance and hydration-related markers in physically active young men. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover design was employed. Twenty-one physically active men (24 ± 1.21 years; 178 ± 4.71 cm; 75 ± 6.18 kg) completed one familiarization session and three experimental trials separated by one-week washout periods. In each trial, participants ingested capsules of β-alanine (20 mg/kg, β20; 40 mg/kg, β40) or placebo (PLA). A standardized warm-up began 20 min post-ingestion, and the repeated-sprint test began 30 min post-ingestion. The sprint protocol consisted of 2 sets of 6 x 35 m all-out sprints, with 20 s recovery between sprints and 4 min recovery between sets. Sprint time and sprint end speed were recorded. Sweat and urine samples were collected to assess sweat osmolality, urine osmolality, and urine pH. RESULTS: Total sprint time during the repeated-sprint test differed significantly among conditions (PLA: 62.43 ± 2.27 s; β20: 60.97 ± 2.17 s; β40: 59.74 ± 1.96 s; p < 0.001). The fatigue index was lower in β40 than PLA (PLA: 0.14 ± 0.02; β20: 0.13 ± 0.02; β40: 0.13 ± 0.01; p = 0.01). Sprint end speed was higher in β40 than PLA, with differences in maximal (8.40 ± 0.43, 8.46 ± 0.47, and 8.50 ± 0.48 m/s for PLA, β20, and β40; p = 0.03), minimal (7.27 ± 0.38, 7.29 ± 0.41, and 7.35 ± 0.43 m/s; p = 0.04), and mean values (7.88 ± 0.47, 7.77 ± 0.51, and 7.91 ± 0.44 m/s; p = 0.04). Post-ingestion urine osmolality was higher in β40 than PLA and β20 (724.67 ± 42.39, 736.43 ± 38.51, and 753.95 ± 38.12 mOsm/kg; p = 0.04). Post-exercise urine pH was higher in both β20 and β40 than PLA (PLA: 5.87 ± 0.21; β20: 6.14 ± 0.31; β40: 6.19 ± 0.34; p = 0.01). Sweat osmolality differed among conditions (PLA: 286.86 ± 4.86; β20: 289.95 ± 5.86; β40: 290.48 ± 4.80 mOsm/kg; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that acute pre-exercise β-alanine ingestion may improve repeated-sprint performance, with more consistent benefits at 40 mg/kg than 20 mg/kg. However, the higher dose was accompanied by increased sweat and urine osmolality and higher urine pH, indicating altered hydration-related markers. Hydration management should be planned when applying acute high-dose β-alanine before high-intensity sprint exercise.
Read CV TAO MEIECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN08
INTRODUCTION: Hydrocolloid gels may serve as an alternative hydration strategy, especially when water availability or quality is limited, or limited is the ability to carry adequate liquid supply (due to its weight). The aim of this randomized controlled crossover study was to verify the efficacy of ingestion of hydrocolloid gel AquaGard® (AG) comparing to water (WAT) in supporting exercise performance and preventing exercise-induced fluid and electrolyte balance disturbances. METHODS: Fifteen healthy physically active young males (21.1±1.9 years, 80.1±11.4 kg body mass [BM]) at two study visits completed exercise protocol (2 x 30 min of rowing at individual maximal lactate steady state [MLSS] followed by 15-min rest and subsequent 2000-m rowing time trial [TT]). During exercise protocols participants ingested 4.7 mLAG/kgBM or 21.5 mLWAT/kgBM divided into 5 equal servings (servings 1-3 ingested pre-exercise; servings 4 and 5 after 30 and 60 min of rowing at the MLSS, respectively). For evaluation of blood osmolality (Osm), hematocrit value and concentrations of lactate, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl- capillary blood samples were taken at 7 distinct time points (TP): at REST, 60 min pre-exercise (-60’PRE-EX), pre-exercise (PRE-EX), after 30 and 60 min of rowing at the MLSS (+30’-EX and POST-EX), and 3 and 30 min after TT (POST-TT and +30’POST-TT). Borg scale was implemented to evaluate perceived exertion (RPE) at +30’-EX, POST-EX and POST-TT. TT and RPE results were analyzed with test t for dependent variables. For blood variables mixed model of ANOVA with repeated measurements was applied – the interaction of treatment (AG/WAT) x TP was analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in time to complete TT (483±45 vs. 477±41 s; p=0.389) or average power output during TT (215±55 vs. 209±61 W; p=0.497) between AG vs. WAT conditions. No differences in RPE between AG vs. WAT were observed at +30’-EX (12±2 vs. 12±2 points; p=0.683), POST-EX (14±4 vs. 14±2 points; p=0.738), or POST-TT (18±1 vs. 18±1 points; p=0.001). There were significant treatment x TP interactions for blood Osm (p<0.001), Na+ (p<0.001), and Cl- (p<0.001) – all were higher at AG vs. WAT at POST-TT (Osm: 296±5 vs. 290±5 mmol/kg, p<0.001; Na+: 145±3 vs. 142±2 mmol/L, p<0.001; Cl-: 107±1 vs. 106±1 mmol/L, p=0.001) and +30’POST-TT (Osm: 290±3 vs. 285±3 mmol/kg, p=0.001; Na+: 143±1 vs. 140±2 mmol/L, p<0.001; Cl-: 106±1 vs. 105±2 mmol/L, p=0.011) – with no differences between AG vs. WAT at the remaining TPs. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of hydrocolloid gel AquaGard® is equally effective in supporting rowing exercise performance comparing to traditional ingestion of water in young healthy males. Blood osmolality, concentration of Na+ and Cl- were higher after exercise protocol at AG vs. WAT ingestion, but remained clinically negligible and within reference ranges.
Read CV Krzysztof Durkalec-MichalskiECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN08