The Influence of Chlorella Supplementation on Running Performance
NCT Number: NCT06479993
Status: RECRUITING
Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phases: NA
Conditions: Athletes|Healthy
Interventions: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT: Chlorella supplementation|DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT: Placebo supplementation
Sponsor: University College, London
Sex: ALL
Age: ADULT
Enrollment: 20
Study Design: Allocation: RANDOMIZED|Intervention Model: CROSSOVER|Masking: DOUBLE (PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR)|Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
Start Date: 2024-01-05
Completion Date: 2025-09
Locations: University Colllege London (ISEH), London, W1T 7HA, United Kingdom

Summary:
Algae, such as chlorella, are gaining popularity as a nutritious additive to whole food or as a supplement. They contain a variety of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and amino acids, which can have positive effects on our health and possibly athletic performance. Chlorella, specifically, is a type of single-celled green algae that you can easily find in health stores worldwide. While there's some evidence suggesting that chlorella supplementation might improve submaximal and maximal performance for cyclists, it's unclear if it has the same impact on runners. To investigate this, the investigators aim to conduct a double-blind randomised placebo controlled study to see if taking chlorella daily for 3-weeks can enhance different aspects of running performance, both during low/moderate and intense exercise, among individuals who regularly engage in running.

Primary Outcome Measures: Changes in maximal oxygen uptake, Changes in cardiovascular fitness variables as measured by a Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test following the submaximal run., Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo|Changes in oxygen consumption and oxygen cost, Assessing the possible changes in oxygen consumption and oxygen cost (ml/kg/min) at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus), Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo|Changes in the respiratory exchange ratio, Assessing the possible changes in the respiratory exchange ratio at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus), Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo|Changes in heart rate, Assessing the possible changes in heart rate (bpm) at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus), Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo|Changes in lactate, Assessing the possible changes in blood lactate at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change, at maximal oxygen uptake, and 15-mins post maximal as measured by the Biosen., Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo|Changes in glucose, Assessing the possible changes in blood glucose at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change, at maximal oxygen uptake, and 15-mins post maximal as measured by the Biosen., Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Secondary Outcome Measures: Changes in nutritional status, Assessing the possible changes in nutritional status (macro and micronutrient intake) as measured by food recall., Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo