ATP supplements boosts muscle excitability and performance: Study
ATP (adenosine-triphosphate) is the energy source for tissues, but it also has also been proposed to have functions beyond energy.
Data published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition indicated that a daily 400 mg dose of TSI USA’s Peak ATP for two weeks prevented post-exercise declines in ATP, ADP (adenosine-5-diphosphate) and AMP (adenosine-5-monophosphate) as seen in the placebo group.
The ATP supplement was also found to significantly increase muscle excitability (defined as the ratio of power output to muscle activation) in early bouts of high-intensity sprints, and prevented declines of about 30% seen in later bouts in the placebo group.
“Athletes and strength and conditioning practitioners looking to enhance repeated sprint ability (i.e., basketball, hockey, etc.) may see beneficial effects in power and muscle excitability from supplementing with oral ATP,” wrote the researchers.
“Athletes are able to push themselves harder”
Commenting on the study’s findings,Larry Kolb, president of TSI USA Inc., said: “PEAK ATP is the only ingredient we know of that is proven to boost muscular excitability, a new and exciting category in sports nutrition.
“By boosting muscular excitability PEAK ATP provides a critical advantage to athletes who want to increase the intensity and/or frequency of their workouts and ultimately see better results from their efforts,” added Kolb. “Instead of fatiguing, athletes are able to push themselves harder because they are able to maintain muscle contractions during high intensity workouts. That’s the beauty of this new ‘muscular excitability’ benefit from consuming PEAK ATP pre-workout.”
TSI USA funded the study.
Study details
Scientists from Increnovo, Applied Science and Performance Institute, and the University of Tampa recruited 42 health men aged between 18 and 30 to participate in their double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. The men randomly received either 400 mg per day of ATP or a placebo for two weeks. The men performed high-intensity sprinting bouts at the start and end of the two-week period.
Results showed that, in addition to preventing the declines in ATP, ADP, and AMP, oral ATP supplementation prevented declines in muscle excitability in later bouts, compared to placebo.
The ATP supplement also significantly increased Wingate peak power in later bouts compared to baseline, but not compared to placebo.
“The mechanism by which ATP enhanced performance and muscle excitability is likely due to peripheral and not central mechanisms. Based on previous research, these mechanisms might occur via increases in blood flow during fatiguing conditions. Future research should seek to elucidate the predominant mechanisms by which oral ATP supplementation is working,” wrote the researchers.
Scientific portfolio
The study adds to previously published data about the ingredient, including data from 21 healthy active adults consuming 400 mg of Peak ATP per day for 12 weeks that found an increase in total body strength and greater muscle thickness (Nutrition & Metabolism). Another study’s findings, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, indicated that Peak ATP may speed the recovery rate from exercise and ease muscle fatigue.
A 2014 paper published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition indicated that oral administration of the Peak ATP product may increase blood flow after exercise, and “may be particularly effective during exercise recovery”.
Source: Journal of the American College of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:
“Oral Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) Administration Increases Postexercise ATP Levels, Muscle Excitability, and Athletic Performance Following a Repeated Sprint Bout”
Authors: M. Purpura et al.
