Abstract
BackgroundThe consumption of olive oil is associated with a diminished risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality, but the impact of olive oil supplementation on endurance performance is still unclear. Since the beneficial effects of olive oil are observed at a systemic level, its effectiveness may not be precisely measured through the commonly registered maximal and threshold values of some physiological and performance parameters. In contrast, we suggest evaluating it through variables able to capture the coordinated behaviour of physiological systems. Thus, the aim of the current research was to assess the effect of an acute extra virgin olive oil supplementation on cardiorespiratory coordination (CRC) and performance, compared to palm oil.MethodsThree separate effort test sessions were carried out separated by 7-day interval. During each session, participants (n = 7) repeated the same progressive and maximal walking test, but under different dietary supplementations in a randomized order: (1) olive oil, (2) palm oil, and (3) placebo. A principal component (PC) analysis of selected cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory variables was carried out to evaluate CRC. Eigenvalues of the first PC (PC1) and the loadings of the cardiorespiratory variables onto PC1 were compared among dietary supplementations. In order to more accurately evaluate CRC, all the tests were divided into 3 equal sections, corresponding to low, moderate, and high exercise intensities, and the aforementioned procedure was repeated for each section in all the tests.ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed regarding PC1 eigenvalues among dietary supplementations (χ2 (8,2) = 6.3; p = .04), only at moderate intensity exercise. Specifically, PC1 eigenvalues were higher under olive oil compared to palm oil (2.63 ± 0.51 vs. 2.30 ± 0.28; Z = 2.03; p = .04; d = 0.80) and placebo supplementations (2.63 ± 0.51 vs. 2.38 ± 0.36; Z = 2.20; p = .03; d = 0.57).ConclusionsSupplementation with extra virgin olive oil increased CRC during a progressive walking test at moderate intensity, although did not change performance and other physiological markers. CRC analysis appears as a sensitive tool to investigate the physiological and performance effects of dietary supplementations.
Highlights
Olive oil is the main cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and its consumption, the extra virgin variety, is associated with a reduced inflammation and a diminished risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality [1,2,3]
Since the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of olive oil are observed at a systemic level [5], and its effectiveness may not be precisely measured through the commonly registered physiological and performance parameters, we proposed here to use a recently investigated coordinative variable which has shown a higher responsiveness to training [10] and workload accumulation [11], in contrast to Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and other markers of aerobic fitness
While First principal component (PC1) was formed by VE, Expired fraction of CO2 (FeCO2), and heart rate (HR), PC2 was mainly formed by Expired fraction of O2 (FeO2)
Summary
Olive oil is the main cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and its consumption, the extra virgin variety, is associated with a reduced inflammation and a diminished risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality [1,2,3]. Despite the large amount of beneficial effects on health, the impact of olive oil supplementation on endurance performance is still unclear [6] These effects have been measured through specific aerobic physiological markers like maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), but not according to variables able to capture the dynamic interactions among physiological systems. Regarding the antioxidant effect of beverages containing polyphenols on physical performance and physiological markers, the results are not yet entirely clear, with studies reporting controversial effects [9] These unclear results suggest that VO2max and other commonly registered physiological and performance variables might not be sensitive enough to detect specific exercise-related changes as has been suggested by other authors [10,11,12]. The aim of the current research was to assess the effect of an acute extra virgin olive oil supplementation on cardiorespiratory coordination (CRC) and performance, compared to palm oil
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