Melatonin Supplementation and Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of nocturnal melatonin ingestion upon short-term performances, on the following morning. Twelve soccer players from a Tunisian squad (22.9 ±1.3 years, 1.80±0.05 m, and 72.0±8.8 kg) were volunteered to perform three testing sessions, with one test session per day. During each session, MEL (5mg) , MEL (8mg) or placebo were ingested, in a randomized order, before nocturnal sleep. The next morning (08:00h), participants performed the following psycho-cognitive and physical tests: Hooper's index, reaction time, vigilance, handgrip strength , squat jump , modified agility test , Wingate anaerobic test (peak power , mean power and fatigue index ). Rating of perceived exertion was recorded immediately after the WanT, and blood lactate measures were taken after 3min of recovery. Blood glucose was measured before and 3 min after the Wingate test.

Official Title
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Nocturnal Melatonin Ingestion Ameliorates Short Term Maximal Performances on the Following Day

Conditions
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Motor Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Experimental: Melatonin
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The participants were recruited based on the following criteria: (i) paticipants must be trained at 4-6 days per week for an average of 2 h daily and (ii) they must have at least 8 years of training experience Exclusion Criteria: Subjects were excluded from the study if they present one of the following criteria : heart failure, antioxidant supplementation within 3 months before the study, lower-limb injuries

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 23 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Melatonin<br> | Dietary Supplement: Experimental: Melatonin<br>* Our protocol was composed of three experimental sessions. During each testing session, participants were requested to attend the laboratory at 20:00h where they ingested a standardized light meal. Melatonin (5 mg or 8 mg) or placebo were ingested in capsule in the evening at 21:00h in a double-blind randomized design<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br> | Dietary Supplement: Placebo<br>* In a double-blind randomized design, participants have taken placebo supplementation in one of the three experimental sessions<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hooper's index score | Hooper's index score was measured using a specific questionnaire | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| handgrip strength (in Kg) | handgrip strength was measured using a calibrated hand dynamometer. | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| Blood lactate (µmol/l) | Lactate level was measured using Lactate Pro instrument. | Blood lactate was measured only 3 minutes after physical testing in the following day of the supplementation | 
| reaction time (in secondes) | Reaction time was measured using an electronic timing device. | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| vigilance score | Vigilance score was measured using a specific questionnaire | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| squat jump (in centimeters) | Squat jump was assessed using a infrared jump system | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| agility (in secondes) | Agility was assessed using an electronic timing system. | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| anaerobic capacity (In watts) | Anaerobic capacity was assessed using a calibrated friction-loaded cycle ergometer | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation | 
| glucose level (µmol/l) | Glucose level was assessed using a glucometer | At 07:30 am in the following day of the supplementation (rest condition) and 3 minutes after physical testing in each experimental session | 
| Rating of perceived exertion score | Rating of perceived exertion score was measured using a specific questionnaire | Rating of perceived exertion score was measured 3 minutes after physical testing in the following day of the supplementation |