Banana Cultivars and Exercise Performance and Recovery
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Inflammation
In brief
In a previous study at the Appalachian State University (ASU) Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), investigators showed that cyclists ingesting about one-half of a banana with water every 15 minutes cycled 75-km faster (5%) than with water alone. The polyphenols (i.e., chemicals in plants with health benefits) in the banana improved the capacity to counter oxidative stress, and the sugars lowered post-exercise inflammation. The cyclists reported some gastrointestinal discomfort, however, from the high volume of bananas consumed. Dole Foods, the sponsor of this study, has a banana collection that includes many different varieties, including the Mini banana that has a higher sugar (50%) and phenolic (63%) content than the typical banana (Cavendish) available in stores. Thus athletes should experience similar performance benefits from a smaller volume of Mini compared to Cavendish bananas, and reduced gastrointestinal symptoms. If study results are favorable, Dole Foods may market the Mini banana as the "sport" banana. The purpose of this study is to compare ingestion of Mini and Cavendish bananas with an equicaloric, sugar-only beverage or water on 75-km cycling performance and post-exercise oxidative capacity and stress, inflammation, immune function, muscle damage and soreness, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT02994628
- Run by
- Appalachian State University
- People needed
- 23
- Starts
- 2015-11-01
- Expected to finish
- 2017-01-25
- Last updated by the study team
- 2017-02-23
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Healthy, with no known cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer.
- Non-smoker.
- Regularly compete in road races (category 1 to 5) and/or capable of cycling 75 km in a laboratory setting (using own bicycles on CompuTrainer training systems).
- Agree to train normally, maintain weight, and avoid the regular use of large-dose vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, and medications that influence inflammation and immune function (in particular, Advil, Motrin, aspirin and similar anti-inflammatory drugs) for the duration of the 7 to 8-week study. If in doubt, discuss supplement/medication use with the Research Manager.
- Categorized as "low risk" using the American College of Sports Medicine screening questionnaire.
You may not qualify if…
- Inability to comply with study requirements.
- Any other concurrent condition which, in the opinion of the primary investigator (PI), would preclude participation in this study or interfere with compliance.
- Current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer (except for non-melanoma skin cancer).
Where it is running
- Human Performance Lab, North Carolina Research Campus — Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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