Abstract
CrossFit is a high-intensity sport that requires high cardiovascular fitness but aerobically-focused supplements are sparsely investigated within this demographic PURPOSE: to examine the efficacy of a novel ergogenic supplement blend on various cardiovascular metrics in CrossFit athletes. METHODS: 11 trained CrossFit athletes (30±6y; 3M/8F) were recruited for this acute, placebo-controlled study, whereby participants visited the laboratory on a single day to assess baseline resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure (BP), and fingertip lactate (LAC) immediately prior to being randomly assigned to ingest either 4ml of a proprietary supplement blend (SUP; containing Beetroot, Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Rhodiola, and Cayenne) or an equivalent volume of placebo (PLA). Following a 2-hour period to facilitate peak supplement blood concentrations, resting assessments were repeated before performing a graded cycle ergometer test to measure maximal heart rate (MHR), peak oxygen consumption (VO2Peak), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), peak session LAC and ventilation, distance traveled, as well as post-exercise LAC (immediate [POST0M], 5-minutes [POST5M], and 30-minutes [POST30M] post-exercise) and heart rate recovery (HRR; 30-seconds [POST30S] and 2-minutes [POST2M]). All resting, as well as HRR and LAC values were assessed by separate (time x condition) two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. MHR, VO2PEAK, RER, ventilation, and cycle distance traveled were assessed using independent t-tests. All statistical tests were performed at a pRESULTS: Analyses revealed no significant acute supplement effects for resting BP or LAC, however, there was a main time effect, resulting in a significant decrease in RHR (73±12 vs 69±12 bpm; p=.015; ηp2=0.497) regardless of SUP or PLA condition. All other post-exercise variables were non-significant, notwithstanding a condition-collapsed drop in HR at POST2M versus POST30s (18±17 versus 55±20 Δbpm; p>.001; ηp2=0.881). CONCLUSION: Although ingestion of the experimental supplement failed to differentially impact any of the targeted cardiovascular metrics, these data should nevertheless be corroborated with a larger subject pool and a longitudinal design before conclusions can be inferred.
Recommended Citation
Holland, Ashley; Hedrick, Evan; Cholewa, Jason Michael; and Machek, Steven
(2024)
"Acute Impacts of a Novel Proprietary Supplement Blend on Aerobically-focused Outcomes in Trained CrossFit Athletes: A Preliminary Analysis,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14:
Iss.
4, Article 48.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/48