Scientific Programme
Physiology & Nutrition
IS-PN03 - New Frontiers in Exogenous Ketone Supplement Research – Implications for Performance, Recovery, and Health Across the Lifespan
Date: 08.07.2026, Time: 09:30 - 10:45, Session Room: Auditorium C (STCC)
Description
Supplementation with exogenous ketones elevates circulating ketone concentrations in the absence of energy or carbohydrate restriction providing an alternative metabolic substrate and signaling molecule that may influence physical and cognitive performance, recovery, and health. Early studies suggested performance improved via altered substrate use and glycogen sparing, however findings over the past decade have been inconsistent, reflecting variations in formulation, dose, and exercise protocols. In parallel, research has examined effects on metabolism, cellular stress resistance, biology of ageing, and resilience in extreme environments. Consequently, the efficacy of ketone supplementation across performance and health domains remains unclear but highly topical. This symposium will examine current and emerging evidence for the use of exogenous ketones across the continuum of health. Associate Professor Brendan Egan (Dublin City University, Ireland) will address metabolic effects during exercise and performance outcomes; Dr Jamie Whitfield (Australian Catholic University, Australia) will explore post-exercise recovery and adaptation; and Research Assistant Professor Brianna Stubbs (Buck Institute, USA) will discuss implications for metabolic health, ageing, and longevity. Collectively, these presentations will integrate mechanistic and applied perspectives to clarify when, how, and for whom exogenous ketones may offer physiological benefit and where evidence gaps remain.
Chair(s)
Jamie Whitfield
Australian Catholic University, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Australia
Speaker A
Brendan Egan
Dublin City University, School of Health and Human Performance
Ireland
Read CVECSS Lausanne 2026: IS-PN03 [14769]
Exogenous Ketone Supplements: Effects on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Sport
Long-standing interest in the development of ingestible forms of ketone bodies broke through a decade ago with the emergence of commercially-available exogenous ketone supplements. These supplements in the form of ketone salts and ketone esters, in addition to ketogenic compounds such as 1,3-butanediol and medium chain triglycerides, facilitate an acute transient increase in circulating ketone body concentrations. The ketone bodies acetoacetate (AcAc) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) have pleiotropic effects in multiple organs including brain, heart, and skeletal muscle by serving as an alternative substrate for energy provision, and by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, catabolic processes, and gene expression. Of special interest in sport and exercise are the metabolic actions of ketone bodies to alter substrate utilisation through attenuating glucose utilisation in peripheral tissues, anti-lipolytic effects on adipose tissue, and attenuation of proteolysis in skeletal muscle. Many studies have been performed in the past decade investigating the potential benefits of exogenous ketone supplements for physical performance, but results remain equivocal. However, recent studies suggest potential for exogenous ketone supplements to mitigate declines in cognitive performance during long duration exercise, and under hypoxic stress that simulates altitude exposure. The presentation will provide applied sport scientists, practitioners, and researchers in physiology, nutrition, and sport with an update on the commerical landscape of exogenous ketone supplements, an overview of the historical and recent trends in studies exploring their use as ergogenic aids to help separate the hype from reality for this class of supplements that remain one of the most discussed yet enigmatic in sport.
Speaker B
Jamie Whitfield
Australian Catholic University, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Australia
Read CVECSS Lausanne 2026: IS-PN03 [34417]
Beyond a Metabolic Substrate: Applications for Ketones in Recovery and Adaptation
Athletes across many disciplines engage in structured, periodized training plans to promote adaptation and ultimately optimize performance. Over the last 20+ years, research has made it clear that manipulating the provision of nutritional support throughout training and during the recovery periods can play an equally important role in determining subsequent performance outcomes. While much of the focus has traditionally been on the provision of carbohydrate and protein, exogenous ketone supplements have more recently emerged as a novel nutrition strategy capable of influencing these adaptive processes by elevating circulating ketone bodies including beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB). Indeed, it has now been establish that β-HB can act as a potent signalling metabolite linking metabolism, redox state, and inflammation, and may therefore modulate multiple pathways in skeletal muscle relevant to recovery and adaptation. However, evidence directly linking exogenous ketone supplements to augmented training and recovery responses is currently lacking. This presentation will synthesize current evidence describing the molecular and metabolic responses to exercise with exogenous ketone supplementation. Particular emphasis will be placed on mechanisms governing glycogen metabolism, protein turnover, as well as on emerging insights into gene and protein expression. The session will be highly relevant for basic and applied sport science researchers, practitioners and health professionals and will help them critically evaluate whether exogenous ketones modify the post-exercise signaling environment in order to enhance recovery and training adaptation in athletes and physically active populations.
Speaker C
Brianna Stubbs
Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Clinical Research Core
United States
Read CVECSS Lausanne 2026: IS-PN03 [41462]
The Role of Ketone Bodies in The Role of Ketone Bodies in Health and Longevity
Ketone bodies are emerging as central mediators linking metabolism, cellular stress resistance, and the biology of aging. Once regarded primarily as energy substrates during fasting or carbohydrate restriction, ketones—particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—are now recognized as signaling molecules that influence inflammation, redox balance, epigenetic regulation, and mitochondrial function. These pathways intersect with several of the hallmarks of aging, positioning ketone metabolism at the crossroads of energetic efficiency and adaptive cellular responses. While fasting and ketogenic diets naturally elevate ketone levels and extend healthspan in model organisms, such interventions are impractical or unsustainable long-term use in older adults. Exogenous ketone supplements therefore represent a promising translational approach to safely induce a physiological “fed ketosis,” enabling the study of ketone biology and its potential benefits for maintaining physical, cognitive and immune function and resilience later in life. This presentation will target health professionals and basic researchers by exploring how the field has evolved from early applications of ketones in athletic performance and extreme environments to emerging uses in aging and chronic disease. Evidence now suggests that exogenous ketosis can modulate key processes relevant to aging—such as metabolic flexibility, chronic inflammation, and cellular stress responses—and may help preserve muscle, cognitive, and cardiovascular function during aging.