NCT00731510

Brief Summary

During a multi-week expedition to the Himalaya, we aim to investigate i) whether dietary supplementation with carbohydrate drinks and gels can improve physical performance; and ii) the underlying mechanisms for any observed changes in performance. We hypothesise that i) carbohydrate supplementation will improve physical performance; and ii) the underlying mechanism of this improvement in performance will include maintenance of body glycogen (sugar) stores, prevention of dehydration and decrease in the incidence of acute mountain sickness.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
44

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2008

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2008

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 7, 2008

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 11, 2008

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2008

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2008

Completed
Last Updated

March 31, 2017

Status Verified

March 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

4 months

First QC Date

August 7, 2008

Last Update Submit

March 30, 2017

Conditions

Keywords

Acute mountain sicknessBody composition,HypoxiaCarbohydrate supplementationExpedition,Hydration,HypoxiaPerformance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Performance (time to complete a physical performance task)

    Mid study

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Body composition

    Pre, mid and post study

  • Hydration status

    Pre, mid and post study

  • Body glucose stores

    Pre, mid and post study

  • Oxygen delivery

    Pre, mid and post study

  • Acute mountain sickness

    Every day

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

1

EXPERIMENTAL

Carbohydrate supplements (drinks and gels)

Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate energy drink

2

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Primarily Aspartame plus natural flavourings. Powder dissolved in water to provide non-distinguishable placebo drink.

Dietary Supplement: Aspartame

Interventions

Carbohydrate energy drinkDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Complex carbohydrates including maltodextrin (97%) dissolved in water to make a a 10% solution, or dissolved in 25mL gels. Ad libitum. Twenty two days.

Also known as: PSP22 Energy, Science in Sport, Blackburn, UK
1
AspartameDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Aspartame dissolved in water, ad libitum, 22 days.

Also known as: Science in Sport, Blackburn, UK
2

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • a healthy enthusiasm for the outdoors and/or a passion for research in remote and difficult circumstances

You may not qualify if:

  • Persons with Phenylketonuria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Medical Expeditions Ltd

Pinfold, Hyssington, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6AY, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Macdonald JH, Oliver SJ, Hillyer K, Sanders S, Smith Z, Williams C, Yates D, Ginnever H, Scanlon E, Roberts E, Murphy D, Lawley J, Chichester E. Body composition at high altitude: a randomized placebo-controlled trial of dietary carbohydrate supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Nov;90(5):1193-202. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28075. Epub 2009 Sep 30.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

HypoxiaAltitude Sickness

Interventions

Aspartame

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, RespiratorySigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsRespiration DisordersRespiratory Tract Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

DipeptidesOligopeptidesPeptidesAmino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Study Officials

  • Jamie H Macdonald, PhD

    Bangor University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Samuel J Oliver, PhD

    Bangor University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 7, 2008

First Posted

August 11, 2008

Study Start

June 1, 2008

Primary Completion

October 1, 2008

Study Completion

December 1, 2008

Last Updated

March 31, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-03

Locations