Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) has previously been shown to increase protein digestion in an in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine and amino acid appearance in healthy men and women after ingestion of milk protein concentrate. The impact of ingesting BC30 with other protein sources or in other demographics is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of adding BC30 to a 20-g dose of a blend of rice and pea protein on postprandial changes in blood amino acids concentrations in healthy, older women. Healthy, older females (n = 30, 58.5 ± 5.2 years, 165.4 ± 6.8 cm, 65.6 ± 8.8 kg, 23.7 ± 3.2 kg/m²) completed two separate 14-day supplementation protocols separated by a 3-week washout period. Participants were instructed to ingest a 20-g protein dose of a blend of rice and pea protein concentrates (ProDiem Plant Protein Solutions, Kerry) with (PPCBC30) or without (PPC) the addition of 1 × 10⁹ CFU BC30 (Kerry). Body composition and demographics were assessed upon arrival to the laboratory. Upon ingestion of their final assigned supplemental dose, blood samples were taken at 0 (baseline), 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, 180-, and 240-min post-consumption and analyzed for amino acid concentrations. Alanine (p = 0.018), tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.041), essential amino acids (p = 0.050), and total amino acids (p = 0.039) all exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater AUC with PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. In addition, tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.021), essential amino acids (p = 0.049), and total amino acids (p = 0.035) displayed significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) concentration maximum (C_Max) values in PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. Finally, time to reach C_Max (T_Max) was similar between conditions with 80% of all measured amino acids and amino acid combinations achieving C_Max at a similar time (~ 60 min). Only phenylalanine T_Max was found to be different (p = 0.01) between the two conditions with PPC displaying a greater proportion of T_Max values after 30 min. Following qualitative (non-inferential) assessment, 88% of all measured outcomes achieved a higher AUC with PPCBC30 and 100% of all outcomes achieved a higher C_Max with PPCBC30. In concert with previous findings in a younger mixed gender cohort with milk protein, the addition of BC30 to a daily 20-g dose of plant protein concentrate in healthy older women improved AUC and C_Max values in several individual amino acids and amino acid combinations. Retrospectively registered on April 6, 2022, at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05313178.

This study compared flavored kefir (KFR) and flavored milk (MLK) as a recovery drink in endurance master athletes. Using a randomized, placebo-controlled, non-blinded crossover design, 11 males and females completed three testing visits whilst acutely ingesting either KFR, MLK, or water as a placebo (PLA). KFR supplementation occurred for 14 days before the KFR-testing day, followed by a 3-week washout period. Testing visits consisted of an exhausting-exercise (EE) bout, a 4-h rest period where additional carbohydrate feeding was provided, and a treadmill 5 km time trial (TT). The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) survey was assessed at four timepoints. Blood was collected at baseline and after the TT and was analyzed for I-FABP levels. No significant difference (PLA: 33:39.1 ± 6:29.0 min, KFR: 33:41.1 ± 5:44.4 min, and MLK: 33:36.2 ± 6:40.5 min, p = 0.99) was found between the groups in TT performance. The KFR GSRS total score was significantly lower than the PLA after EE (p = 0.005). No differences in I-FABP were observed between conditions. In conclusion, acute KFR supplementation did not impact TT performance or I-FABP levels but may have reduced subjective GI symptoms surrounding exercise when compared to MLK or PLA.

Background: Little is known about exercise prescription practices in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how initial exercise is prescribed and how exercise intensity is progressed among cardiac patients enrolled in United States CR programs. Methods: A 22-question survey was sent out to US CR clinics. Results: Ninety-three clinics responded to the survey. RPE was the most commonly reported exercise intensity indicator used for prescribing exercise, followed by resting HR + 20–30 bpm. Exercise progression practices were also based on patient sustained RPE values. Conclusions. Exercise prescription practice has become reliant on subjective indicators of exercise intensity. This may limit patient outcomes, such as improvement in functional measures.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of acute and 28-day supplementation with a caffeine-based energy drink on energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and cognitive performance. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 33 males and 27 females (27 ± 8 years, 26.7 ± 2.2 m/kg²) consumed a caffeinated energy drink (200 mg; CAF) or placebo (PLA) for 28 days. Indirect calorimetry assessed energy expenditure and fat oxidation at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after ingestion on day 1 and 28. Cognition assessments (Dynavision reaction, Serial Sevens, Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B)) were performed at 0, 60, and 120 min. Results: On day 1, CAF demonstrated higher energy expenditure vs. PLA at 30 (p = 0.011), 60 (p = 0.001), 90 (p = 0.002), and 120 min (p < 0.001). On day 28, expenditure remained higher at 30 (p < 0.001), 60 (p = 0.019), and 90 min (p = 0.003). Comparing day 28 to day 1, CAF maintained greater energy expenditure at baseline (p = 0.031) with trends at 30 (p = 0.057) and 90 min (p = 0.051). Fat oxidation was greater with CAF only on day 1 at 60 (p = 0.019), 90 (p = 0.006), and 120 min (p = 0.012). On day 28, CAF showed more correct Dynavision hits (60, p = 0.002; 120, p = 0.003) and fewer misses (60, p = 0.003; 120, p = 0.005) vs. PLA. Faster reaction time occurred in CAF at 120 min on day 1 (p = 0.028), while serial subtraction showed trends toward higher counts in CAF (day 1: p = 0.079; day 28: p = 0.059). On day 28, CAF increased perceived focus and energy at 60 and 120 min (focus: p = 0.012, p = 0.026; energy: p = 0.005, p = 0.029). Alternatively, a trend for slower TMT-A performance emerged in CAF at 60 min on day 28 (p = 0.075), resulting in PLA having faster times across day 28 vs. day 1 comparisons (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Acute energy drink consumption enhances energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and some cognitive measures, while 28-day use sustains energy expenditure and select cognitive benefits.

Background: Due to its high polyphenol content and purported capability to mitigate post-exercise muscle soreness and promote recovery, tart cherry (TC) supplementation has been proposed to enhance recovery and athletic performance. This study examined the effects of powdered TC supplementation on various recovery and performance metrics following a repeated sprint exercise protocol in physically active young adults. Methods: 40 (18 M, 22 F) healthy, active participants (24.6 ± 5.5 yrs, 171.5 ± 11 cm, 71.7 ± 14.5 kg, 24.2 ± 3.1 kg·m⁻²) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study design. Placebo (PLA) or powdered TC supplementation (500 mg/day) occurred for ten days: seven days prior to, day of, and two days following repeated sprints (15 × 30 m with 1 min rest between sprints). Performance was assessed via the countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull, isokinetic knee extension, and the Wingate anaerobic test. Recovery was evaluated using visual analog scales for soreness, recovery, and readiness to train. Muscle damage was evaluated using creatine kinase. These measures were evaluated at baseline, and at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise. Results: Significant main effects of time were observed with recovery VAS (p < 0.001), readiness to train VAS (p < 0.001), and jump height (p = 0.014) experiencing similar reductions, while soreness VAS (p < 0.001) and creatine kinase (p = 0.05) experienced similar increases in response to the repeated sprint protocol and supplementation. Across all measurements, no significant group × time differences were observed for jump height (PLA:−6.7 ± 10.4% vs. TC: −11.0 ± 17.9%, p = 0.608), peak propulsive force (PLA: 0.3 ± 4.6% vs. TC: 2.2 ± 7.4%, p = 0.194), knee extension peak torque at 180°/s (PLA: 10.5 ± 73.5% vs. TC: −1.04 ± 49.6%, p = 0.335), readiness to train VAS (PLA: −23.0 ± 19.2% vs. TC: −14.7 ± 20.2%, p = 0.401), soreness VAS (PLA: 250 ± 323% vs. TC: 261 ± 432%, p = 0.838), recovery VAS (PLA: −24.6 ± 17.9% vs. TC: −8.2 ± 40.5%, p = 0.251), and creatine kinase (PLA: 22.8 ± 35.5% vs. TC: 90.4 ± 225.6%, p = 0.31). Conclusions: A single bout of repeated sprints was responsible for significant reductions in jump height, peak propulsive force, peak torque, and perceived readiness, while perceived soreness, myoglobin, and creatine kinase were significantly increased. Ten days of TC supplementation did not impact any change beyond what was observed in PLA for markers of recovery, readiness, soreness, exercise performance, and markers of muscle damage.

Carbohydrate availability and caffeine ingestion have been shown to elicit improvements in performance independently of one another. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of a carbohydrate + caffeine beverage on performance and perceived effort in soccer players. Forty-three collegiate women’s soccer athletes were recruited to participate during a single day of simulated match play, in which each team played once. Athletes consumed either a carbohydrate + caffeine (Experimental) beverage or a control (Control) beverage (flavored water) during half-time in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized control trial design. Prior to and after each game, Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and blood glucose levels were assessed. Heart rate, training impulse (TRIMP), total distance covered, high-speed distance, and velocity were recorded. Blood glucose levels after the match simulation were positively associated with total distance (r = 0.434; p = 0.01), distance per minute (r = 0.439; p < 0.01), average velocity (r = 0.438; p = 0.01), and TRIMP (r = 0.404; p = 0.018) during the second half. There was a significant main effect for half regarding blood glucose (p < 0.001), total distance (p < 0.001), high-speed distance (p < 0.001), and TRIMP (p = 0.046). There was a significant half × condition effect for blood glucose (p = 0.05). Pairwise comparisons indicated the Experimental beverage condition resulted in a +27 mg/dL (95% CI: −3.6, 58.8) difference compared to the Control beverage following the 2nd Half. In the current study, consumption of the carbohydrate + caffeine beverage during half-time resulted in higher blood glucose levels post-game compared to placebo; however, the experimental beverage did not influence the total distance covered, average velocities, average heart rate, or TRIMP values during the second half of simulated match play.