The Influence of Chlorella Supplementation on Running Performance

NCT06479993 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 21745/002.1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

Athletes; Healthy

Keywords

Running; VO2max; Lactate; Oxygen Consumption

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• 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 Outcomes (1)

• Changes in nutritional status

  Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo

Study Arms (2)

Chlorella supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

Supplementation of chlorella (6g/day for 3-weeks)

Dietary Supplement: Chlorella supplementation

Placebo supplementation

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Supplementation of placebo (6g/day for 3-weeks)

Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementation

Interventions

Chlorella supplementation DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Supplementation with chlorella (6g/day for 3-weeks)

Chlorella supplementation

Placebo supplementation DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Supplementation with placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (6g/day for 3-weeks)

Placebo supplementation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18-50.
• Run regularly (3-4 times a week).
• Train with a purpose to compete.
• Consider running to be your main sport.
• Be comfortable running continuously for over 30-minutes at moderate intensity.
• Represent a local running club.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals taking blood thinners.
• Known allergies to algae/mould and iodine.
• Any illness/conditions identified on PARQ (please see attached PARQ)
• Taking immunosuppressant medication

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University College, London: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Colllege London (ISEH)

London, W1T 7HA, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Tom Gurney

  University College, London

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Tom Gurney

CONTACT

020 3447 2800; t.gurney@ucl.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2024
• First Posted: June 28, 2024
• Study Start: January 5, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 28, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)