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Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "

13.04.2024

This is the effect of a supplement with Pycnogenol, BCAAs, arginine and Robuvit on cyclists

A supplement with Pycnogenol, BCAAs, arginine and Robuvit makes cyclists faster by increasing their ability to absorb oxygen. This was discovered by Japanese researchers who were financed by the manufacturer of the sports supplement PycnoRacer.

Study
The research by Tsuyoshi Hara, affiliated with the International University of Health and Welfare, was published in 2021. The sponsor of this research was Kobayashi, the producer of PycnoRacer.

PycnoRacer is a powder, packed in sachets. A recommended daily intake of 2 sachets contains 60 milligrams of Pycogenol, 10 milligrams of Robuvit, 4800 milligrams of BCAAs and 1200 milligrams of arginine.

The researchers gave this supplement to 8 professional cyclists. For 28 days, the athletes used one bag before training and another bag after training.

Just before the supplementation started and on the last day of the supplementation period, the researchers tested the cyclists' performance in the lab.

Results
The researchers had the cyclists cycle according to a protocol in which the athletes had to generate an extra 10 Watts every minute. The riders then had to cycle until they literally could no longer.

After the supplementation period, maximum oxygen uptake and maximum speed - actually: power - were 11 and 8 percent higher, respectively, than before. These differences were statistically significant.

After the supplementation period, the cyclists burned 26 percent more calories than before. This difference was statistically significant as well.

The paper may give the impression that the athletes used more energy per minute of effort. However, it's more likely that the increased calorie consumption was due to an increase in the time that the athletes could continue cycling. Unfortunately, the paper does not explain how exactly the supplement increases calorie consumption.

Source:
J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 10 (4): 219-24 (2021).

More:
Robuvit, 'the' supplement for triathlete 2.0 06.11.2021
Pycnogenol reduces muscle cramp in athletes 26.04.2014
Pycnogenol aids triathlon training 20.04.2014

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