Development and Implementation of a Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Ultra-Endurance Athletes

The nutritional intake of ultra-endurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements of the sport. Nutrition knowledge is a mediating factor to food choice that could correct such imbalances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of ultra-endurance athletes. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a modified sports nutrition questionnaire (ULTRA-Q). Four independent assessors with specialist sports nutrition knowledge confirmed the content validity of the ULTRA-Q. Registered Sports Nutritionists, Registered Dietitians, and those without nutrition training completed the ULTRA-Q on two separate occasions. After the first completion, a significant difference in nutrition scores between groups (p = <0.001) provided evidence of construct validity. After the second completion, intra-class correlation coefficients comparing nutrition scores between time points (0.75–0.95) provided evidence of test-retest reliability. Subsequently, experienced ultra-endurance athletes (male n = 74, female n = 27) completed the ULTRA-Q. Athletes also documented their sources of nutrition knowledge for ultra-endurance events. The total nutrition knowledge score for ultra-endurance athletes was 68.3 ± 9.5% and there were no significant differences in knowledge scores between males and females (67.4 ± 9.6% and 70.7 ± 9.3%) or runners and triathletes (69.1 ± 9.7% and 65.1 ± 9.4%). In general, it appeared that ultra-endurance athletes favoured other athletes (73%) over nutrition experts (8%) as a source of nutritional information. The findings of this study indicate that ultra-endurance athletes had a reasonable level of nutrition knowledge, but inter-athlete variability suggests a need for targeted nutrition education

The Effects of Astaxanthin on Cognitive Function and Neurodegeneration in Humans: A Critical Review

Oxidative stress is a key contributing factor in neurodegeneration, cognitive ageing, cognitive decline, and diminished cognitive longevity. Issues stemming from oxidative stress both in relation to cognition and other areas, such as inflammation, skin health, eye health, and general recovery, have been shown to benefit greatly from antioxidant use. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, which has been outlined to be beneficial for cognitive function both in vitro and in vivo. Given the aforementioned promising effects, research into astaxanthin with a focus on cognitive function has recently been extended to human tissue and human populations. The present critical review explores the effects of astaxanthin on cognitive function and neurodegeneration within human populations and samples with the aim of deciphering the merit and credibility of the research findings and subsequently their potential as a basis for therapeutic use. Implications, limitations, and areas for future research development are also discussed. Key findings include the positive impacts of astaxanthin in relation to improving cognitive function, facilitating neuroprotection, and slowing neurodegeneration within given contexts

Post-exercise Supplementation of Sodium Bicarbonate Improves Acid Base Balance Recovery and Subsequent High-Intensity Boxing Specific Performance

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of post-exercise sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion (0.3 g.kg−1 body mass) on the recovery of acid-base balance (pH, HCO−3, and the SID) and subsequent exercise performance in elite boxers. Seven elite male professional boxers performed an initial bout of exhaustive exercise comprising of a boxing specific high-intensity interval running (HIIR) protocol, followed by a high-intensity run to volitional exhaustion (TLIM1). A 75 min passive recovery then ensued, whereby after 10 min recovery, participants ingested either 0.3 g.kg−1 body mass NaHCO3, or 0.1 g.kg−1 body mass sodium chloride (PLA). Solutions were taste matched and administered double-blind. Participants then completed a boxing specific punch combination protocol, followed by a second high-intensity run to volitional exhaustion (TLIM2). Both initial bouts of TLIM1 were well matched between PLA and NaHCO3 (ICC; r = 0.94, p = 0.002). The change in performance from TLIM1 to TLIM2 was greater following NaHCO3 compared to PLA (+164 ± 90 vs. +73 ± 78 sec; p = 0.02, CI = 45.1, 428.8, g = 1.0). Following ingestion of NaHCO3, pH was greater prior to TLIM2 by 0.11 ± 0.02 units (1.4%) (p < 0.001, CI = 0.09, 0.13, g = 3.4), whilst HCO−3 was greater by 8.8 ± 1.5 mmol.l−1 (26.3%) compared to PLA (p < 0.001, CI = 7.3, 10.2, g = 5.1). The current study suggests that these significant increases in acid base balance during post-exercise recovery facilitated the improvement in the subsequent bout of exercise. Future research should continue to explore the role of NaHCO3 supplementation as a recovery aid in boxing and other combat sports