Bovine
colostrum supplementation enhances physical performance on maximal
exercise tests
J. Lepp?luoto*,
S. Rasi, V. Martikkala, & M. Puukka
Department of Physiology, University of Oulu, Department of Sports
Medicine, Oulu Deaconess Institute and Laboratory of Oulu University
Hospital, Finland
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We studied the
effects of a food supplement made from bovine colostrum on maximal
oxygen uptake and flight times in jump tests in 10 young athletes,
seven females and three males, in a double blind cross-over design.
Defatted and decaseinated bovine colostrum (400 ml daily) or placebo
were administered for 12 days and maximal ergospirometer and jump
tests were performed on days 11 and 12. In the placebo group the maximal
oxygen uptake on day 12 was 7 % smaller than on day 11, whereas in
the colostrum group it did not change. Similarly, in the placebo group
the mean flight time in the counter movement jump was 9 ms and in
the squat jump 0 ms shorter on day 12 than on day 11.
In the colostrum
group the flight time in the counter movement group was 4 ms and in
the squat jump 10 ms longer on day 12 than on day 11. Thus colostrum
improved significantly the oxygen uptake (p<0.01) and the flight
times (p<0.05) in the maximal ergometer and jump tests performed
a day apart. There were no significant changes in the serum concentrations
of IGF-1, growth hormone, testosterone, total LDL or HDL cholesterol,
ALAT, ASAT, creatine kinase, carboanhydrase III, myoglobin, interleukin-6
or blood cells measured on day 12 between the placebo and colostrum
groups.
The present results
demonstrate that colostral supplementation in young athletes improves
running and jumping performance, when the physical performance is
restrained by a previous maximal training bout.
Therefore the
use of colostral supplementation is beneficial during heavy training
periods in athletes.
Articles
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