The Effects of Exogenous Ketosis on Ultra-endurance Recovery and Performance

Catholic University (KU) of Leuven

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Fatigue, Mental; Fatigue; Muscle, Heart; Exogenous Ketosis; Endurance Cycling Performance

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Placebo Supplement; Dietary Supplement: Ketone ester supplement

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06965491

S68178

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to investigate the effects of post-exercise and pre-sleep ketosis via oral ketone ester supplementation on physical and mental recovery during a multi-day cycling stage race.

Full description

Ultra-endurance events are becoming increasing popular. Participation in the multi-day events adds a lot of physical and mental strain on the body, while the athletes are still required to perform. Without appropriate recovery the athletes are at increased risk of overreaching, injury, or illness.

Therefore, the purpose of the study is to create a better understanding of the exercise fatigue experienced during ultra-endurance performance and the role intermittent exogenous ketosis (IEK) plays in reducing the amount of fatigue to maintain performance during multi-day racing and lower the risk of injury and illness.

Participants will first compete in a 8-day simulated stage race performed on taxc trainers and then we will conduct a field study during the Absa Cape Epic a 8-day mountain bike stage race. Immediately following each stage and 30-mins before bed the participants will consume either a ketone ester and taste-match placebo drink. During the race the following variables will be measured; hydration status, weight change, activity readiness, and nutrition intake. Cognitive function will be assessed on day 2, 4 and 8 of racing. One day before and one day after the race the participants will report to the lab to assess basal metabolic rate, stress via questionnaires, appetite, cognitive function, muscle biopsies, venous blood samples, mechanical efficiency and 30-min Time Trial.

Enrollment: 24 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 59 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• have been cycling consistently for at least 1 year before entry into the study
• have been cycling for a minimum of 7 hours per week for the 6 months leading up to the study
• additional for the field study: valid entry to the 2025 edition of the Absa Cape Epic
• non-smoker

Exclusion criteria

• Do not follow a ketogenic diet or low-carbohydrate diet
• Have any metabolic or auto-immune disease that will influence their metabolism
• Take medication or supplements that is known to affect ketone supplement metabolism
• suffering from a recurring injury or illness from which they have not fully recovered that is a contr-indication to perform high-intensity exercise
• Unable to finish each stage
• Women: if they are pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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24 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Intervention: 8-day multistage mountain bike race/simulation Dietary intervention: placebo supplement (oral supplement containing: 16.4 grams of medium chained triglycerides, 1mM of sucrose octaacetate and water)

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Supplement

Experimental group

Experimental group

Description:

Intervention: 8-day multistage mountain bike race/simulation Dietary intervention: ketone ester supplement (25 grams of pure R-(3)-hydroxybutyl-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ketone monoester drink)

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Ketone ester supplement