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Effect of an Antioxidant-rich Diet During Moderate Altitude Training

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Oxidative Stress
Adaptation Reaction
Inflammation
Interventions
Other: Antioxidant-rich snacks
Other: Control snacks
Registration Number
NCT03088891
Lead Sponsor
University of Oslo
Brief Summary

Athletes, especially in endurance sports, are at increased risk of oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases and injuries. The production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and inflammatory markers increase during exercise and especially during altitude training. Antioxidant supplementation is commonly used among athletes in the belief that it prevents oxidative stress and oxidative damage. A transient increase of RONS is however necessary to activate signaling cascades initiating training adaptation. Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to inhibit the exercise effects in several independent studies, possibly by interfering/reducing the signal cascades initiated by RONS. However, it is unknown whether a high intake of antioxidant rich foods can affect the amount of RONS, inflammation markers and/or training adaptation. The investigators want to examine whether an increased intake of natural antioxidants in the form of antioxidant-rich foods fruits, vegetables and berries, in line with the official Norwegian dietary advice can affect antioxidant status, immune function and training adaptation associated with altitude training in Norwegian elite athletes.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
35
Inclusion Criteria
  • National team athletes, summer endurance sports
Exclusion Criteria
  • Allergies in conflict with the intervention foods
  • Use of medication that could affect training and performance
  • Injuries that could affect training and performance

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Antioxidant-rich snacksAntioxidant-rich snacksThe participants received antioxidant-rich snacks every day during 21 days of moderate altitude training (2300 meters above sea level). The snack included fruits and vegetable smoothies, dark chocolate, walnuts, dried fruits and berries.
Control snacksControl snacksThe participants received antioxidant-depleted snacks every day during 21 days of moderate altitude training (2300 meters above sea level). The snack included milkshake, and other milk-based drinks, biscuits (both sweet and salty), white chocolate.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Training adaptationMeasured one week before, and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

change in Vo2-max

Percent change in performance (sport specific tests will be aggregated to one outcome by the use of percent change)Measured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

Cycling: 10 000 m on a bike roller; Rowing: 2000 meter on Concept2-apparatus; Paddling: 1000 meter Concept2-apparatus; Swimming: 200 meter

Training adaptation for swimmersMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

For swimming only: 100 meter max speed

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bone mineral densityMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)

change in body compositionMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)

Dietary intake (change in food and nutrient intake)Measured one and three week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by repeated 24 hour recalls

Change in biomarkers of inflammationMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

change in cytokine profile e.g. IL-6 ,TNF, CRP measured by multiplex technology

change in fat massMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)

change in body weightMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by standardized scale

Change in whole blood gene expressionMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

Fasting blood samples (PAX-tubes) and samples taken after physical stress test (PAX-tubes). RNA will be isolated and gene expression measured

Change in blood lipidsMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in lean body massMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

measured by DXA (iDXA; GE Healthcare)

change response to stress testMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
change in plasma volumeMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

CO-rebreathing-method

Change in antioxidant statusMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

e.g. FRAP, ORAC, dROM, isoprostanes measured by HPLC

biomarkers of antioxidant-rich foodsMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

e.g. carotenoids, flavonoids measured by HPLC

Change in micronutrientsMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

e.g. iron status

Change hormonesMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Change in hemoglobinMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

CO-rebreathing-method

change in blood volumeMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

CO-rebreathing-method

Change in lactateMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp
Total training loadMeasured one week before, during (in week 1 and 3 of the camp) and one week after the moderate altitude training camp

Training diary

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Norwegian Olympic Federation

🇳🇴

Oslo, Norway

University of Oslo

🇳🇴

Oslo, Norway

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