ACUTE INGESTION OF A KETONE MONOESTER WITH CARBOHYDRATE IMPROVES COGNITIVE MEASURES BUT NOT PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED FEMALES

Authors

Christian A. Price, University of North AlabamaFollow
Eric K. O'Neal, University of North AlabamaFollow
Gaven A. Barker, University of North AlabamaFollow
Craig R. Witt, University of North AlabamaFollow
David A. Lara, University of North AlabamaFollow
Anna K. Huber, University of North AlabamaFollow
Valerie N. Forsythe, University of North AlabamaFollow
Andrew P. Koutnik, Sansum Diabetes Research InstituteFollow
Dominic P. D'Agostino, University of South FlordiaFollow
Walter Staiano, University of ValenciaFollow
Brendan Egan, Dublin City UniversityFollow
Hunter S. Waldman, University of North AlabamaFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the field of sports performance and cognitive enhancement has witnessed a growing interest in the potential benefits offered to athletes with the supplementation of exogenous ketones, specifically the ketone monoester (KME). However, the present literature has examined KME ingestion in male or mixed cohorts, with female research currently underrepresented. Thus, we examined the acute ingestion of a KME with co-ingestion of a carbohydrate (KME+CHO) compared to carbohydrate alone (CHO) on cycling performance and cognitive performance in trained females. METHODS: Using a two condition, placebo-controlled, crossover design, twelve trained females (mean ± SD: age, 23 ± 3 y; height, 1.64 ± 0.08 m; mass, 65.2 ± 12.7 kg) completed a baseline assessment of cognitive performance (psychomotor vigilance testing (PVT), task switching, and incongruent flanker), followed by 6x5-min intervals at 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, and 65% of their maximal power output (Wmax) and then a 10-km time trial (TT), concluding with the same assessments of cognitive performance post-exercise. Participants consumed either 375 mg·kg-1 body mass of KME with a 6% CHO solution (1 g·min-1 of exercise) or CHO alone, across 3 boluses (50:25:25). RESULTS: Blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations averaged 1.80±0.07 mM and 0.13±0.01 mM during exercise in KME+CHO and CHO, respectively. Blood glucose decreased following drink 1 of KME+CHO (~15%; P=0.01) but not CHO alone, and lactate concentrations were significantly lower in KME+CHO at 50%, 55%, 60%, and -65%Wmax (all P<0.05), compared to CHO. Despite these changes, no differences were found between conditions for TT finishing times (KME+CHO, 29.7±5.7 min; CHO, 29.6±5.7 min; P=0.92). However, only KME+CHO resulted in increases in PVT speed (~4%; P=0.01) and faster reaction times (~14%; P<0.01), and speed (~15%; P<0.01) and correct responses (~13%; P=0.03) in the incongruent flanker during post-testing compared to CHO alone. CONCLUSION: Acute ingestion of a KME+CHO elevated blood β-hydroxybutyrate and simultaneously lowered glucose and lactate across multiple timepoints during exercise compared to CHO alone. Although these changes did not affect physical performance, several markers of cognitive performance were improved by the addition of a KME in trained females.

Recommended Citation

Price, Christian A.; O'Neal, Eric K.; Barker, Gaven A.; Witt, Craig R.; Lara, David A.; Huber, Anna K.; Forsythe, Valerie N.; Koutnik, Andrew P.; D'Agostino, Dominic P.; Staiano, Walter; Egan, Brendan; and Waldman, Hunter S. (2024) "ACUTE INGESTION OF A KETONE MONOESTER WITH CARBOHYDRATE IMPROVES COGNITIVE MEASURES BUT NOT PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED FEMALES," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 50.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss3/50