The Effects of Red Spinach Extract Supplementation on Isometric Strength, Resistance Exercise and Cognitive Performance

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04292106
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: March 2, 2020
• Last Update Posted: January 14, 2022
• Sponsor: Lipscomb University
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Jeremy Townsend, Lipscomb University

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Red Spinach is a natural food which is a rich source of nitrates, which are beneficial in hemodynamics, cardiovascular function, and have natural hypotensive and antianginal effects. Red spinach extract has been shown to be beneficial in exercise performance, albeit mostly in aerobic exercise. In a previous study in our lab, we found that dietary nitrate consumption resulted in significantly greater isometric force production in teenage males. However, currently there is little know regarding the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on isometric strength, resistance exercise and cognitive performance.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Sports	Dietary Supplement: Red Spinach Extract (RSE); Dietary Supplement: Placebo	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

This research study is designed to measure the effects of red spinach extract (RSE) on markers of physical and cognitive performance during and following anaerobic exercise.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 11 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Official Title: The Effects of Red Spinach Extract Supplementation on Isometric Strength, Resistance Exercise and Cognitive Performance.
• Actual Study Start Date: September 26, 2019
• Actual Primary Completion Date: March 30, 2020
• Actual Study Completion Date: March 30, 2020

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo	Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Oral placebo capsules will be taken consisting of maltodrextrin daily for 7 days
Experimental: Red Spinach Extract (RSE)	Dietary Supplement: Red Spinach Extract (RSE); Oral capsules containing 2g of Red Spinach Extract will be consumed daily for 7 days

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Bench Press Repetitions to Fatiuge [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   Number of repetitions completed in each set during the acute exercise bout will be recorded and analyzed
2. Bench Press Power [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   Power during bench press repetitions will be measured via a linear transducer.
3. Isometric Mid-thigh pull (IMTP) Peak Force [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   Peak Force will be measured via dual force plates during a full-body isometric strength test.
4. Isometric Mid-thigh pull (IMTP) Rate of Force Development [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   Rate of Force development will be measured via dual force plates during a full-body isometric strength test.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Estimated Muscle Blood Flow via Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   Measures of muscle oxygenation of the anterior deltoid will be estimated using a NIRS Device.
2. Cognitive Performance via Stroop Test [ Time Frame: Through study completion, during both treatments (~4 weeks) ]
   The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) is a neuropsychological test used to assess cognitive performance. This will be administered before and after the fatiguing bench press protocol

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 34 Years (Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: Male
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-34 years old Participants must have at least 1 year of resistance training experience.
• Free of any physical limitations, medications, and supplements that may affect performance, as determined by a health and activity questionnaire.
• Are free of musculoskeletal injuries
• Are not taking medications that may interfere with study measurements

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants that cannot take either the RSE or placebo supplement will be excluded, as this will be a double-blind study.
• Furthermore, participants that cannot participate in pre- and post-research testing, and/or those that cannot commit to regular training sessions will be excluded.
• Inability to perform physical exercise (determined by health and activity questionnaire)
• Taking any other nutritional supplement or performance enhancing drug.
• Any chronic illness that causes continuous medical care

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Tennessee

Jeremy Townsend

Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37215

Sponsors and Collaborators

Lipscomb University

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Jeremy Townsend, PhD; Lipscomb University

More Information

• Responsible Party: Jeremy Townsend, Assistant Professor, Lipscomb University
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04292106
• Other Study ID Numbers: 092619
• First Posted: March 2, 2020
• Last Update Posted: January 14, 2022
• Last Verified: January 2022

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No