Effect of an Antioxidant-rich Diet During Moderate Altitude Training (ALTAX)

University of Oslo

Status: Completed

Conditions: Adaptation Reaction; Inflammation; Oxidative Stress

Treatments: Other: Control snacks; Other: Antioxidant-rich snacks

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03088891

ALTAX

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 35 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16 to 42 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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35 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Antioxidant-rich snacks

Experimental group

Description:

The 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.

Treatment:

Other: Antioxidant-rich snacks

Control snacks

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The 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.

Treatment:

Other: Control snacks