The Effects of Astaxanthin on Physiological Anti-fatigue and Sports Performance: an Integrated Study From the Application of Laboratory Human Sports Platform to Simulated Competitions

To address the rapid recovery needs in intensive badminton competitions, this 2-year study evaluates Astaxanthin (AST) as a potential ergogenic aid. The research aims to elucidate how AST attenuates exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage. By establishing an evidence-based nutritional strategy, this study seeks to maintain peak performance for elite athletes in badminton and other racket sports, while supporting the development of functional anti-fatigue health products.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Placebo; Other: Astaxanthin

Detailed Description

First Year: In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to either the AST group or the placebo group and will take AST supplements or a placebo (20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. You will not know whether you have been assigned to the supplement group or the placebo group. After the first trial in each group, there will be a 14-day washout period, after which the two groups will switch places to conduct the second trial. Seven days before the exercise performance test, all participants will undergo a maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) test, and the intensity of the single-session cycling challenge will be calculated based on this measurement. Participants will fast for 12 hours prior to the day of the exercise challenge. They will report to the laboratory at 7:00 AM on the day of the test for body composition measurements, followed by consumption of a light meal (300 kcal) accompanied by an AST supplement or placebo capsule, and a 1-hour rest period. One hour after taking the supplement capsule, participants performed a 5-minute cycling warm-up on a human motion platform designed by the PI's laboratory, followed by a single 60-minute cycling exercise at 70% VO2max, maintaining a cadence of 60 rpm throughout. After completing the exercise challenge, participants consumed a meal (60% carbohydrates, 25% fat, 15% protein) tailored to their body weight. Then, 3 hours into the recovery period, they underwent an anaerobic power test and a subsequent exercise-to-exhaustion (Time to Exhaustion, TTE) challenge at 75% VO2max, with exercise performance times recorded. Additionally, blood and gas samples were collected before the first cycling challenge, at the 30-minute mark during the challenge, immediately after exercise, every hour during the recovery period, and after the subsequent exercise-to-exhaustion test. Following a brief recovery period (3 hours), participants performed a 30-second anaerobic power test. After a 5-minute rest, they proceeded to a 75% cycling test to exhaustion. The experimental design included administering the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after each exercise challenge to assess participants' emotional tendencies during exercise. The experimental procedures and exercise performance tests for both trials were identical to those described above.

Year 2: This study employs a randomized, single-blind, crossover design. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups to receive either an AST supplement or a placebo (12 mg/day) for 4 weeks, and you will not know whether you have been assigned to the supplement or placebo group. After the first trial is completed for each group, there will be an 8-week washout period, after which the two groups will switch places to conduct the second trial. This simulated badminton competition consists of 5 matches over 5 consecutive days, with a 24-hour rest period between each match. All participants will follow a controlled diet for 3 days prior to the simulated badminton competition trial. Participants will fast starting 12 hours before the day of the simulated competition. They will report to the laboratory at 7:00 AM on the day of the test for body composition measurements, followed by consumption of a light meal (300 kcal) paired with an AST capsule or placebo. After a 3-hour rest period, the first blood draw will be performed, followed by a badminton-specific warm-up (15 minutes). Following the research assistant's instructions, participants first performed a badminton-specific warm-up for 10 to 15 minutes. Subsequently, in accordance with the latest international competition format "3 x 21-point system" established by the Badminton World Federation (Badminton World Federation, BWF) in 2006, participants were paired up to complete a simulated badminton match using the "3 x 21-point system," with a 1-minute-30-second rest period before the start of the next game. Participants were allowed to hydrate during the simulated badminton matches. Finally, to better simulate the scenario where badminton players may need to prepare for the next match immediately after completing one, the final aerobic capacity test involved a badminton-specific incremental endurance test. Participants were allowed to stop the test upon reaching exercise exhaustion, and the total exercise duration and power output were recorded. The experimental procedures and performance assessment items for both trials were the same as described above. Sport-specific physical performance assessments included upper-body grip strength, the Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), and 10-second anaerobic power.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 14
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taichung, Taiwan
    • China Medical University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• A minimum of five years of badminton training experience (with a training frequency of at least three times per week, sustained for three consecutive years).

Exclusion Criteria:

• chronic diseases, such as heart disease or hypertension, drinking habits and severe lower limb musculoskeletal injuries within the past six months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; 120 mg of MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) and a small amount of caramel food coloring as fillers.	Other: Placebo; Supplemented with placebo for 4 weeks; Other: Astaxanthin; Supplemented with Astaxanthin (AST) for 4 weeks (12 mg/day, AstaReal®, Sweden)
Experimental: AST; Each AST capsule contains 4 mg of astaxanthin extracted from natural algae and 120 mg of MUFA	Other: Placebo; Supplemented with placebo for 4 weeks; Other: Astaxanthin; Supplemented with Astaxanthin (AST) for 4 weeks (12 mg/day, AstaReal®, Sweden)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Badminton specific incremental endurance test	The badminton specific incremental endurance test measures endurance performance through repetitive specific movements on a Y-shaped court layout (3-meter distance between points). Unit of Measure: Minutes	Baseline,week 1 end of 4-week supplementation period

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Upper Limb Grip Strength	Upper limb muscle strength is assessed using an electronic hand dynamometer. The maximum value from two attempts for both left and right hands is recorded as the reference data.Unit of Measure:Kilograms.	Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Countermovement jump, CMJ	Lower limb maximum strength, power, and speed are evaluated using an athletic performance measurement system (OptojumpNext). Participants execute a downward squat followed immediately by a maximal vertical jump.Unit of Measure:jump height in centimeters.	Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Agility T test	Athletes navigate a T-shaped course at maximum speed and touch marker cones to simulate rapid movement and directional changes in badminton offensive and defensive plays.Unit of Measure:seconds.	Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Star Excursion Balance Test, SEBT	Assesses dynamic balance. Participants perform single-leg squats and reach as far as possible with the non-stance leg along 8 designated lines on the floor.Unit of Measure:Reach distance divided by leg length as a percentage (%).	Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity	biomarker used to evaluate total antioxidant capacity.And the absorbance was measured at 532 nm and 570 nm using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria). The final concentrations were calculated based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Malondialdehyde (MDA) Levels	Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of MDA to evaluate the degree of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Concentration	Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-6 to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) Concentration	A pro-inflammatory cytokine measured in serum and to evaluate the inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Serum Creatine Kinase (CK) Concentration	A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum.The absorbance was measured at 450 nm, 505 nm, and 572 nm, respectively, using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum concentrations were determined based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, hs-CRP	A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum.The absorbance was measured at 450 nm, 505 nm, and 572 nm, respectively, using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum concentrations were determined based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Interleukin-1 beta, IL-1β	Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-1β to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Interleukin-10, IL-10	Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-10 to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Uric Acid (UA) Levels	Measured in serum as a marker of metabolic stress and muscle damage using commercial analytical reagents. Unit of Measure: Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Activity	A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU5800).Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).	Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Vigor Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the positive mood state of vigor. It consists of specific adjectives scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of vigor. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Self-esteem Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the mood state of self-esteem. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-esteem. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale.	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Tension Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of tension. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of tension. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Confusion Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of confusion. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of confusion. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Anger Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of anger. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of anger. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Fatigue Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of fatigue. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Depression Subscale Score	A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of depression. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.
Anaerobic Peak Power	The highest power output achieved during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This value reflects the explosive anaerobic power of the badminton players, typically reached within the first 3 to 5 seconds of the test. The resistance load is set at body weight (kg) × 0.75.Unit of Measure: Watts (W)	Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.
Relative Anaerobic Peak Power	The anaerobic peak power output divided by the participant's body weight, obtained during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This normalization accounts for individual differences in body mass among badminton players. Unit of Measure: Watts per kilogram (W/kg)	Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.
Absolute Mean Power / Total Work	The average power output (total work) sustained over the entire duration of the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This value represents the anaerobic endurance capacity required during intense badminton rallies. Unit of Measure: Watts (W)	Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.
Relative Anaerobic Mean Power	The average power output sustained over the 10-second test divided by the participant's body weight, obtained during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. Unit of Measure: Watts per kilogram (W/kg)	Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.
Time to Peak Anaerobic Power	The duration from the start of the 10-second maximum effort pedaling until the peak power output is attained during the modified Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This metric evaluates how rapidly the badminton player can mobilize and express maximum explosive anaerobic energy (typically expected within the first 3 to 5 seconds). Unit of Measure: Seconds (s)	Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.
Maximum Heart Rate	The highest heart rate recorded using a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap heart rate monitor during the 3-game simulated badminton match to assess peak cardiovascular strain. Unit of Measure: Beats per minute (bpm)	Continuous measurement throughout the 3-game simulated match (data extracted post-match).
Mean Heart Rate	The average heart rate recorded using a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap heart rate monitor across the entire duration of the 3-game simulated badminton match to evaluate overall cardiovascular workload. Unit of Measure: Beats per minute (bpm)	Continuous measurement throughout the 3-game simulated match (data extracted post-match).
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)	Participants' subjective rating of exercise intensity assessed using the Borg RPE scale (6-20 scale), where 6 represents "no exertion at all" and 20 represents "maximal exertion." The RPE is surveyed immediately after the completion of each game within the simulated match. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale	Measured immediately at the end of Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 during the simulated match.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: China Medical University Hospital
• Investigators: Study Chair: Jung-Piao Tsao, China Medical University, China

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 2, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: sports performance; sports supplements; Recovery strategy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: astaxanthine
• Other Study ID Numbers: CMUH114-REC3-003

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