Premium
Astaxanthin‐rich green alga Haematococcus pluvialis enhanced extreme endurance performance and improved heart rate recovery in exercised rats
Author(s) -
Yamashita Eiji,
Lin Hsinying,
Narducci Merco
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.898.11
Subject(s) - astaxanthin , haematococcus pluvialis , zoology , meal , heart rate , endurance training , medicine , chemistry , biology , food science , carotenoid , blood pressure
Astaxanthin has been known to enhance muscle endurance and limit muscle damage in exercised human and models. However, there is no study on heart rate recovery (HRR). Here we examined the effects of astaxanthin‐rich green alga Haematococcus pluvialis on extreme endurance performance and HRR in exercised rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 rats; control (olive oil), low dose (LD, 1 g dry algae meal (50 mg astaxanthin)) and high dose (HD, 2 g dry algae meal (100 mg astaxanthin)). After 3 weeks of the acclimation period, 15 good runners were selected and implanted with a subcutaneous heart rate monitor for continuous heart rate recording. Starting on Day 1 of the study, the rats received the targeted dose orally by a daily gavage. The rats ran on a treadmill twice a week for 4 weeks; 15 minutes running ‐ 7 minutes rest ‐ 15 minutes running at 30 m/min, with a final sprint of 1 min at 40 m/min for the first running day of the week with a 5° slope. As the results, HRR time in the supplemented groups was significantly decreased compared to the control. Especially early phases of HRR, to 30% of resting values, were achieved fastest with LD. Also heart rate deflection point in the supplemented groups tended to be prolonged during intermittent extreme endurance conditions compared to the control. Furthermore maximal sprinting force was also significantly improved in the supplemented groups. Dose dependent effect was not found.