Effect of bovine colostrum on anaerobic exercise performance and plasma insulin-like growth factor I

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of bovine colostrum on peak vertical jump power (VJpeak), peak cycle power (CPpeak), alactic anaerobic work capacity, resistance exercise one-repetition maxima (1-RM) and plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, 51 males completed 8 weeks of resistance and plyometric training while consuming 60 g · day-1 of bovine colostrum (n = 26) or concentrated whey protein powder (n = 25). Peak vertical jump power, peak cycle power, alactic anaerobic work capacity, 1-RM and plasma IGF-I were not different between groups at baseline (P >0.33). Peak vertical jump power and peak cycle power were still not significantly different between groups by week 4 (VJpeak: bovine colostrum, 7231±488 W; whey protein, 7214±530 W; P = 0.99; CPpeak: bovine colostrum, 1272±202 W; whey protein, 1232±208 W; P = 0.99). By week 8, however, peak vertical jump power (bovine colostrum, 7370±503 W; whey powder, 7237±481 W; 95% confidence intervals, 54 to 170 W; P <0.01) and peak cycle power (bovine colostrum, 1400±215 W; whey protein, 1311±192 W; 95% confidence intervals, 20 to 61 W; P <0.01) were significantly higher in the bovine colostrum condition. Alactic anaerobic work capacity and 1-RM increased (P <0.001), but the increases were not different between groups (P >0.08). Plasma IGF-I did not change in either group (P = 0.55). We conclude that bovine colostrum supplementation during training significantly increased peak anaerobic power, but had no effect on alactic anaerobic work capacity, 1-RM or plasma IGF-I.