The effect of Nicotinamide Riboside and Pterostilbene on exercise performance at a simulated altitude of 2500m

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Booth, Amy (2020). The effect of Nicotinamide Riboside and Pterostilbene on exercise performance at a simulated altitude of 2500m. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

Exercise performance at altitude is impaired via compromised oxygen delivery to the working muscle. Nutritional supplements that improve metabolic pathways and/or vascular function may help diminish such altitude-induced performance impairment. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effects of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Pterostilbene (PT) on exercise performance at altitude. Utilising a between-group design, 20 participants (11 male, 9 female; aged 21±1.7) were randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, to either a NRPT or placebo group after completing familiarisation and baseline testing. Testing consisted of a 30-minute steady state cycle (65% and 55% Watt Max in normoxia and hypoxia respectively) followed by a 5-km time trial (TT) in both normoxic (21% FiO2) and hypoxic (15% FiO2) environmental conditions (separated by 48 hours) before and following a 4-week supplementation period (NRPT: 500mg NR, 100mg PT; Matched placebo). Outcome measures included TT performance, changes in fat oxidation (indexed via RER) and forearm blood flow (rest and post-exercise). The data successfully shows that exercising at a simulated altitude of 2500m resulted in an impaired Time Trial performance with a 4.8%±0.3 increase in Time Trial time (environment main effect p=0.004). However, the data indicated that 5km-TT time and power improved similarly, although not significantly, over the 4-weeks between NRPT and placebo group (Time; 1.2%±0.07 and 0.2%±0.001 in NRPT normoxia and hypoxia respectively and 2.1%±0.1 and 1.9%±0.1 in placebo normoxia and hypoxia respectively; Power; 2.3%±3.3 and 1.4%±1.8 in NRPT normoxia and hypoxia respectively and 4.0%±5.7 and 6.5%±9.0 in placebo normoxia and hypoxia respectively (p>0.05)). In the steady state exercise there was no significant difference in the NRPT group between normoxia and hypoxia (p>0.05) in RER, however, the placebo group displayed a lower RER in hypoxia in comparison to normoxia. (0.93±.01 and 0.97±0.01, respectively; p<0.05). Thus, NRPT did not elicit any beneficial metabolic effects or performance at altitude. In addition, an overall significant decrease (p=0.035) in resting forearm blood flow over the 4-weeks was similar between NRPT and placebo (10.6%±0.15% and 17.7%±0.3% respectively). Both groups showed a significant difference between baseline and post exercise blood flow measures (p=0.026). To conclude NRPT did not result in any greater improvements to exercise performance at altitude compared with placebo or sea level. Future studies should investigate the effects of longer submaximal exercise to promote a greater shift in lipid oxidation. In addition, it would be worthwhile to further explore both metabolic and mechanistic implications through blood and muscle samples.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):