A Novel Proprietary Supplement Blend Does Not Affect VO2peak Or Distance Traveled In CrossFit Athletes

CrossFit is a high-intensity sport that requires high cardiovascular fitness. However, aerobically-focused supplements are sparsely investigated in CrossFit athletes. PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of a novel ergogenic supplement blend on VO2peak and distance traveled in CrossFit athletes. METHODS: 11 CrossFit athletes (30 ± 6y; 3 M/8F) participated in this acute, placebo-controlled study. Participants performed a baseline graded cycle ergometer exercise test (GCT) to assess VO2peak, distance traveled (km), maximal HR, peak RER, ventilation, and post-exercise LAC (immediate [POST0M], 5-min. [POST5M], and 30-min. [POST30M]) and HR recovery (HRR; 30-sec. [POST30S] and 2-min. [POST2M]). After 7 days, participants resting HR, blood pressure (BP), and fingertip lactate (LAC) were assessed immediately before being randomly assigned (n = 5 [SUP], n = 6 [PLA]) to ingest either 4 ml of a proprietary supplement blend (SUP; containing Beetroot, Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Rhodiola, and Cayenne) or an equivalent volume of placebo (PLA). After a 2-hr period to facilitate peak supplement blood concentrations, resting assessments and the GCT were repeated. All resting, as well as post-exercise HRR and LAC values were assessed by separate (time x condition) two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. All other post-exercise variables were analyzed by separate mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: Analyses revealed no significant (p > .05) effects of the supplement on VO2peak (SUP 36.7 ± 5.0 to 35.1 ± 6.8 ml•kg•min-1; PLA 41.3 ± 7.48 to 41.0 ± 6.78 ml•kg•min-1) or distance traveled (SUP 5.0 ± 1.2 to 4.51 ± 0.59 km; PLA 4.8 ± 1.1 to 4.53 ± 1.02 km) baseline to post-supplementation. There were also no effects of the supplement on any other variable (p > .05). There was a condition-collapsed (regardless of SUP or PLA) drop in HR at POST2M from POST30S (18 ± 17 vs 55 ± 20 Δbpm p < .001; ηp2 = .881) and lower post-exercise LAC (p = 0.869; ηp2 = 0.799) from POST0M and POST5M to POST30M. RHR significantly decreased (p = .015; ηp2 = 0.497) prior to testing regardless of SUP or PLA condition. CONCLUSION: The experimental supplement had no effect on VO2peak, distance traveled, or any other cardiovascular metric in CrossFit athletes.