Abstract
Currently there is a lack of research into how women respond to pre-workout supplementation. The effects of supplements on exercise performance in women, specifically to power, must be performed. This study investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and maintenance during a high-intensity cycle ergometry sprint performance, vertical jump performance, and bench press performance in women. It also investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and the maintenance of upper and lower body tasks in women. A total of 23 females (22.9 ± 3.6 years, 175.6 ± 6.5 cm, 86.9 ± 15.1 kg, 19.1 ± 8.4 body fat percentage (BF%) (mean ± std. dev.)) were familiarized with the testing protocol and maximal bench press performances were attained (49.5 ± 15.4 kg). Utilizing a double-blind crossover design, subjects completed three trials of: Five countermovement vertical jumps, a high-intensity cycle sprint protocol, which consisted of 10 maximal, five second cycle ergometer sprints. Subjects performed a velocity bench press test, utilizing 80% of their predetermined one repetition maximum (1RM) for 10 sets of three repetitions for maximal speed. For 20 min prior to each trial, the subjects ingested, in a randomized order, a pre-workout supplement (Supp), placebo+150 mg caffeine (Caff), or a placebo (PL). Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and minimum power (MNP) were recorded for each sprint. Maximal velocity from each set was also recorded. Bike sprint and bench press data were normalized to the placebo trial for analysis. Blood lactate (bLa−) was measured immediately prior to each testing session, within 2 min of the completion of the last cycle sprint and following the bench press test. Bike sprint and bench press testing showed no significant differences through the testing sessions, but did significantly decline over test battery (p < 0.05). Vertical jump performance and lactate levels were not significantly different. Supplementation with a pre-workout supplement or placebo with caffeine 20 min prior to participation showed no positive benefits to performance in female participants.
Highlights
Pre-workout supplements (PWO) have become increasingly popular in gym culture and the military [1]
Carnitine has been shown to increase time to exhaustion in running tests [14] and has been a component in other pre-workout supplements that enhance performance acutely [15]
There were no significant differences between the treatment groups (Supp, Caff, or PL)
Summary
Pre-workout supplements (PWO) have become increasingly popular in gym culture and the military [1]. Pre-workout supplements have shown to increase repetitions to failure in barbell movements and higher power production [3] They have shown to acutely improve choice reaction time, lower body muscular endurance, as well as improve perceived energy, alertness, focus, and reduce fatigue [4]. Beta-alanine has been shown to have positive effects on exercise performance that lasts for 30 s to 2 min, these effects are typically observed with chronic supplementation (defined as consistent ingestion for ≥8 weeks) [2,16] Overall, these compounds have been shown to have positive effects on acute single bout power performance and aerobic performance in individuals
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