Scientists from Texas Woman’s University and MusclePharm Corp report that the formulation resulted in greater muscle cross-sectional area and thickness, compared to placebo, after 12 weeks of resistance training.
Data also indicated that the supplement had no adverse effects on blood chemistry, thereby supporting the safety of the formulation.
“This is the first study to examine the effects of an ATP-enhancing supplement combined with an extended-release caffeine on body composition,” wrote the researchers in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
“The combination of these ingredients appears to beneficially augment body composition when consumed during a periodized resistance training protocol.
“Athletes who benefit from increased muscle mass but not fat mass, such as bodybuilders and skill-position football players, as well as recreational athletes seeking improved body composition may benefit from the use of the present supplement combination.”
Study details
Led by Jordan Joy, the researchers recruited 21 resistance-trained men with an average age of 27 to participate in their study. The men were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or the active supplement 45 minutes before resistance training or at the same time on rest days.
The supplement was a combination of Chromadex’s PurEnergy extended-release caffeine with pterostilbene (180 mg per day) and FutureCeuticals’ ElevATP (150 mg per day), which is a blend of plant bio-inorganic trace minerals from peat and polyphenol-rich apple extracts, plus 45 mg of B vitamins. FutureCeuticals funded the study.
After 12 weeks of resistance training, the active supplement group had significantly greater increases in muscle cross section area of the quadriceps, while greater increases in muscle thickness were also recorded, compared with placebo.
“Increases in measures of muscle mass were likely produced by the blend of ancient peat and apple extracts, and the small reduction of body fat observed in the [active supplement] group, versus an increase in the [placebo] group, is presumably due to the caffeine, although, a synergistic effect of these ingredients cannot be entirely dismissed from the present investigation,” wrote the researchers.
“Future research should examine the extended-release caffeine used in the present study as a standalone supplement in conjunction with an exercise protocol designed for body fat reduction to determine its potential for reducing or maintaining body fat. Moreover, future research may be interested in exploring the effects of ancient peat and apple extracts in an endurance setting,” they concluded.
Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
2016 13:25, doi: 10.1186/s12970-016-0136-9
“Twelve weeks supplementation with an extended-release caffeine and ATP-enhancing supplement may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men”
Authors: J.M. Joy, et al.