The Influence of Chlorella Supplementation on Running Performance

Algae, such as chlorella, are gaining popularity as a nutritious additive to whole food or as a supplement. They contain a variety of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and amino acids, which can have positive effects on our health and possibly athletic performance. Chlorella, specifically, is a type of single-celled green algae that you can easily find in health stores worldwide. While there's some evidence suggesting that chlorella supplementation might improve submaximal and maximal performance for cyclists, it's unclear if it has the same impact on runners. To investigate this, the investigators aim to conduct a double-blind randomised placebo controlled study to see if taking chlorella daily for 3-weeks can enhance different aspects of running performance, both during low/moderate and intense exercise, among individuals who regularly engage in running.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy; Athletes
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Chlorella supplementation; Dietary supplement: Placebo supplementation

Detailed Description

After signing the consent form, we will invite you to come to the ISEH laboratory on Tottenham Court Road so we can take some basic baseline readings. This should last up to 60 minutes and will also include a V̇o2max Test (visit 1). After this, you will be randomly allocated either start on chlorella or placebo first. After supplementation (for visit 2 and 3) you will be required to perform a submaximal running test which will entail running at 60% GET (gas exchange threshold), 80% GET, and 75% of the change from peak. This will then be shortly followed by an incremental test to fatigue.

You will then be required to undergo the exact same supplementation period on the alternative supplement with the same exercise test performed.

You will be required to come into the laboratory a total of 3 times. Each visit should take roughly 1 - 1.5 hours.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Tom Gurney; Phone Number: 020 3447 2800; Email: t.gurney@ucl.ac.uk

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom, W1T 7HA
    • Recruiting
    • University Colllege London (ISEH)
    • Contact: Tom Gurney; Email: t.gurney@ucl.ac.uk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-50.
• Run regularly (3-4 times a week).
• Train with a purpose to compete.
• Consider running to be your main sport.
• Be comfortable running continuously for over 30-minutes at moderate intensity.
• Represent a local running club.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals taking blood thinners.
• Known allergies to algae/mould and iodine.
• Any illness/conditions identified on PARQ (please see attached PARQ)
• Taking immunosuppressant medication

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Chlorella supplementation; Supplementation of chlorella (6g/day for 3-weeks)	Dietary supplement: Chlorella supplementation; Supplementation with chlorella (6g/day for 3-weeks)
Placebo Comparator: Placebo supplementation; Supplementation of placebo (6g/day for 3-weeks)	Dietary supplement: Placebo supplementation; Supplementation with placebo - microcrystalline cellulose (6g/day for 3-weeks)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in maximal oxygen uptake	Changes in cardiovascular fitness variables as measured by a Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test following the submaximal run.	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Changes in oxygen consumption and oxygen cost	Assessing the possible changes in oxygen consumption and oxygen cost (ml/kg/min) at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus)	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Changes in the respiratory exchange ratio	Assessing the possible changes in the respiratory exchange ratio at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus)	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Changes in heart rate	Assessing the possible changes in heart rate (bpm) at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change as measured by a metabolic cart (Vyntus)	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Changes in lactate	Assessing the possible changes in blood lactate at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change, at maximal oxygen uptake, and 15-mins post maximal as measured by the Biosen.	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo
Changes in glucose	Assessing the possible changes in blood glucose at 60% Gas Exchange threshold (GET), 80% GET, and 75% change, at maximal oxygen uptake, and 15-mins post maximal as measured by the Biosen.	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in nutritional status	Assessing the possible changes in nutritional status (macro and micronutrient intake) as measured by food recall.	Following each 3-week supplementation period of either chlorella or placebo

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University College, London
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Tom Gurney, University College, London

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 24, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): June 28, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 28, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 24, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: VO2max; Lactate; Oxygen Consumption; Running
• Other Study ID Numbers: 21745/002.1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No