Effects of bee bread supplementation on endurance running performance, bone metabolism markers, antioxidant status and selected physiological parameters in athletes

INTRODUCTION: Scientific data on the ergogenic effects of bee products consumed at pre exercise and post exercise on sports performance is scanty. PURPOSE: This present study consisted of two phases. The first phase study investigated effects of 8-week bee bread supplementation at pre exercise on endurance running performance, anaerobic power, isokinetic muscular strength and power, antioxidant status and bone metabolism markers in athletes. The second phase study investigated the effects of bee bread supplementation at post exercise, i.e. during recovery on subsequent running performance and physiological parameters in athletes. METHODS: First phase- Twelve male athletes (age: 24.0 ± 1.8 years old; BMI: 22.3 ± 1.3 kg.m-2; VO2max: 52.0 ± 2.8 mL.kg-1.min-1) were recruited in this randomised double blind; placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants consumed either bee bread at a dosage of 20 g.d-1 or placebo for 8 weeks prior to the experimental trial. For the measurement of endurance running performance, participants were required to run at 60% of their respective VO2max on a treadmill for 90 minutes and immediately followed by a 20 minutes running time trial performance on a motorised treadmill. Heart rate, tympanic temperature andrate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at intervals of 10 minutes. Oxygen uptake was measured at intervals of 20 minutes. Blood samples were collected atinterval of 20 minutes during trial to determine plasmaglucose, insulin, lactate, cortisol,free fattyacid, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma volume changes. Blood sampleswere also collected at pre supplementation, pre exercise, immediate post exercise and 24hours post exercise to determine total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced and oxidisedglutathione(GSH: GSSG)ratio, F2-Isoprostanesand bone metabolismmarkers (serumtotal calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP). Participants’ anaerobic powerand isokinetic muscularstrength and power were measured before andafter 8 weeks of experimental period.Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA with repeated measures and paired ttest.Second phase-Twelve athletes (age:22.3 ±2.9 years old; BMI: 22.8±2.1kg.m-2; VO2max: 50.0 ±6.4mL.kg-1.min-1) were recruited in this randomised doubleblind;placebo-controlled crossover study. This studywas divided into two stages of recovery.In the first stage of recovery, participants ran at60% of their respective VO2maxon atreadmill for 90 minutes and then rested for 4 hours. During thisfirst recovery period,participants consumed either bee bread at a dosage of 30g.h-1or placebo along withwater equivalent to 150% of body weight loss. Heart rate and tympanic temperaturewere measured at intervals of 20 minutes during the 4 hours recovery. Blood sampleswerecollected at intervals of 30 minutes during the 4 hours recovery to determineplasma glucose, cortisol, insulin, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma volumechanges.Blood sampleswere alsocollectedat pre exercise, immediate post 90 minutesrunning, immediate post 240 minutes recovery, immediate post time trial and 24 hours xxv-Isoprostanes and bone metabolism markers (serum total calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP). Participants’ anaerobic power and isokinetic muscular strength and power were measured before and after 8 weeks of experimental period. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA with repeated measures and paired t test. CONCLUSION: First phase- Supplementation of bee bread for 8 weeks at a dosage of 20 g daily elicited ergogenic effects on running time trial performance. Second phase- Supplementation of bee bread at a dosage of 30 g.hpower, there were no significant different in mean power, peak power, anaerobiccapacityand anaerobic power between placebo and bee bread trialat preand postsupplementation test. Regarding isokinetic muscular strength and power, isokinetic right kneeextension peak torque and average power at 180o.s-1, and isokinetic right kneeflexion peak torque and average power at 180o.s-1were significantlyhigher at postsupplementation test compared to pre supplementation test in the bee bread trial.Secondphase-In the first stage of 4 hours recovery, distance covered in the beebread trial wassignificantly longer than placebo trial in therunningtime trial performance. Plasmaglucose, insulin and GSH: GSSG ratio was significantlyhigher, whereasF2-Isoprostanewas significantly lower in the bee bread trial incomparison with placebotrial during 4hours recovery. However, heart rate, tympanic temperature, rate of perceived exertion, oxygen uptake, hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasmavolume changes, cortisol, lactate andcreatine kinase in the bee bread trial were not significantly different compared to theplacebo trials. In the second stage of 3 days recovery, there was no significant differencein the distance covered in the bee bread trialcompared tothe placebo trial. Heart rate,tympanic temperature, rateof perceived exertion, oxygen uptake, hemoglobin,hematocrit, plasma volume changes,glucose, lactate, insulin cortisol, total antioxidantstatus, GSH: GSSG ratio and F2-Isoprostane in the bee breadtrial were not significantlydifferent compared to the placebo trial. CONCLUSION:First phase-Supplementationof bee bread for 8 weeks at a dosage of 20 g dailyelicited ergogenic effects on runningtime trial performance.Second phase-Supplementation of bee bread at a dosage of 30g.h-1during 4 hours recovery seems to indicate beneficial effects on subsequentendurance running performance. However, this ergogeniceffect on subsequent xxviiduring 4 hours recovery seems to indicate beneficial effects on subsequent endurance running performance. However, this ergogenic effect on subsequentendurance running performance was not evident following supplementation of bee bread at a dosage of 40 g.day endurance running performance was not evident following supplementation of bee breadat a dosage of 40 g.day-1for 3 days during recovery. xxviiifor 3 days during recovery

Effects of acute supplementation of caffeine and Panax ginseng on endurance running performance in a hot and humid environment

Acute supplementation of Panax ginseng (PG) is known not to impose any significant effect on endurance performance of recreational Malaysian runners, while caffeine augments the ergogenic property of some herbs. The present study was aimed to examine the effects of acute supplementation of caffeine and PG on endurance running performance in a hot and humid condition. Nine heat adapted Malaysian recreational runners (age : 25.4 ± 6.9 years, body mass : 57.6 ± 8.4 kg; body height : 168.3 ± 7.6 cm) ingested either placebo or combined dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) of body weight of caffeine and 200 mg of PG one hour before the running on treadmill at 70% of VO2(max) in this placebo-controlled double blind randomised study in a laboratory environment of 31 degrees C and 70% relative humidity. They drank 3 ml x kg(-1) of body weight of cool water every 20 minutes during the exercise to prevent dehydration. Blood samples were withdrawn and oxygen uptake was recorded every 20 minutes while heart rate, core body temperature, skin temperature and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every 10 minutes during the trials. Endurance time was significantly different (P < 0.05) between experimental and placebo trials. Heart rate, skin temperature, core body temperature, oxygen uptake, RPE, plasma insulin, glucose, free fatty acid and lactate levels during the endurance exercise did not show any significant difference between the trials. Thus, we conclude that combined and acute supplementation of caffeine and PG in the said doses improved the endurance running performance of the heat-adapted male recreational runners

Preliminary Finding: Survey on Eating Disorder and Nutritional Status among Young Athletes

Introduction: It is well documented that eating disorders will have a negative impact on health status and athletic performance. The risks of eating disorders among athletes are required to be detected early before it affects athlete’s health and exercise performance. To date, there is still scanty information on eating disorder and nutritional status among young athletes in Sabah. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine eating disorders and nutritional status among young athletes in Sabah. Methodology: A total of 55 young athletes who are active representatives of sports competitions were selected to participate in this study. Eating attitudes test questionnaires (EAT-26) was used to determine eating disorder risk. International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and 3-days food diary were used to determine nutritional status and physical activity level. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 was used to analyse the collected data. Pair-t test was used to compare energy intake of subjects with the recommended nutrient intake for Malaysia (PAL2.0). The significant level is p<0.05. Results: This study found that aesthetic and weight category sports were the highest risk for eating disorder. Energy intake (kcal/day) in the aesthetic, weight category, endurance and ball games did not significantly meet the daily energy intake recommendations. Conclusion: As a conclusion, majority of the subjects did not practice balanced diet and meet the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) especially in the aesthetic and weight category sports. These current findings are useful to detect early eating disorder among young athletes before it become critical and affect athletes’ exercise performance and health status

Effects of acute supplementation of caffeine on cardiorespiratory responses during endurance running in a hot and humid climate

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Athletes in Malaysia need to perform in a hot and humid climate. Chronic supplementation of caffeine on endurance performance have been studied extensively in different populations. However, concurrent research on the effects of acute supplementation of caffeine on cardiorespiratory responses during endurance exercise in the Malaysian context especially in a hot and humid environment is unavailable. METHODS: Nine heat adapted recreational Malaysian male runners (aged: 25.4+/-6.9 yr) who were nonusers of caffeine (23.7+/-12.6 mg per day) were recruited in this placebo--controlled double--blind randomized study. Caffeine (5 mg per kg of body weight) or placebo was ingested in the form of a capsule one hour prior to the running exercise trial at 70 per cent of VO2max on a motorised treadmill in a heat-controlled laboratory (31 degrees C, 70% relative humidity). Subjects drank 3 ml of cool water per kg of body weight every 20 min during the running trials to avoid the adverse effects of dehydration. Heart rate, core body temperature and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at intervals of 10 min, while oxygen consumption was measured at intervals of 20 min. RESULTS: Running time to exhaustion was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the caffeine trial compared to the placebo trial. Heart rate, core body temperature, oxygen uptake and RPE did not show any significant variation between the trials but it increased significantly during exercise from their respective resting values in both trials (P<0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ingestion of 5 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight improved the endurance running performance but did not impose any significant effect on other individual cardiorespiratory parameters of heat-acclimated recreational runners in hot and humid conditions

Effects of bee bread supplementation on endurance running performance and total antioxidant status in recreational athletes

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bee bread supplementation on running performance and antioxidant status in athletes. Twelve male recreational athletes were recruited in this randomized double blind; placebo-controlled crossover study. The participants were supplemented with 20 g of bee bread (BB) or placebo (P) daily for 8 weeks. After the first experimental trial, there was a wash-out period of 4 weeks. Then, the participants were supplemented with the other supplement for another 8 weeks before the second experimental trial was conducted. During the experimental trials, participants ran at 60% of VO2max for 90 min and followed immediately by a 20-min time trial. Heart rate, oxygen uptake, tympanic temperature, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), room temperature and relative humidity were recorded during the trials. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma glucose, free fatty acid and total antioxidant status. Distance ran in the BB trial was significantly further compared to the P trial (3.41 ± 0.2 km vs 3.28 ± 0.2 km). Heart rate, oxygen uptake, tympanic temperature, RPE and plasma glucose were not significantly different between trials but plasma free fatty acid in the BB trial was significantly higher than the P trial. Total antioxidant status was also significantly higher at post-supplementation, immediate post-exercise and 24 h post-exercise in the BB trial. Supplementation of bee bread seemed to enhance running performance and increased the total antioxidant status in recreational athletes. Industrial relevance.A few studies have reported ergogenic effects of honey on sports performance but no studies have investigated the ergognic effects of bee bread on sports performance. Furthermore, some researchers have reported the antioxidant properties of bee bread but apparently, there is no scientific data on the potential effectiveness of its antioxidant properties on sports performance. Thus, a study is warranted to investigate the potential ergogenic effects of bee bread on sports performance

Effects of acute supplementation of Panax ginseng on endurance running in a hot & humid environment

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Athletes in Malaysia need to perform in a hot and humid environment due to the climatic nature of the country. Chronic supplementation of Panax ginseng (PG) (a deciduous perennial plant belonging to the Araliaceae family) enhances physical performance. As the ergogenic effect of acute supplementation of PG on endurance performance has not been explored in the Malaysian population especially in a hot and humid condition this study was taken up. METHODS: Nine heat adapted recreational runners (age: 25.4 ± 6.9 yr, body mass: 57.6 ± 8.4 kg; body height: 168.3 ± 7.6 cm) were recruited in this placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study. Subjects ingested 200 mg of PG one hour before the exercise test on treadmill at 70 per cent of their VO2max in a laboratory environment of 31° C and 70 per cent relative humidity. They drank 3 ml/kg body weight of cool water every 20 min during the exercise to prevent adverse effects of dehydration. Blood samples were drawn every 20 min for the analysis of glucose, lactate, insulin and free fatty acids. Oxygen uptake was determined every 20 min while heart rate, body and skin temperatures, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every 10 min during the trials. RESULTS: Endurance running time to exhaustion did not differ between PG and placebo trials. Heart rate, skin temperature, core body temperature, oxygen uptake, RPE, plasma insulin, glucose, free fatty acid and lactate levels during the endurance exercise did not show any significant differences between the trials. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that acute supplementation of 200 mg of PG did not affect the endurance running performance of the heat-adapted male recreational runners in the heat