Publications
Nutritional Supplements and the Brain Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Cognitive function plays an important role in athletic performance, and it seems that brain functioning can be influenced by nutrition and dietary components. Thus, the central nervous system might be manipulated through changes in diet or supplementation with specific nutrients including branched-chain amino acids, tyrosine, carbohydrates, and caffeine. Despite some evidence that branched-chained amino acids can influence ratings of ...
No Effect of Acute and 6-Day Nitrate Supplementation on VO2 and Time-Trial Performance in Highly Trained Cyclists Vrije Universiteit Brussel
While the majority of studies reporting ergogenic effects of dietary nitrate have used a multiday supplementation protocol, some studies suggest that a single dose of dietary nitrate before exercise can also improve subsequent performance. We aimed to compare the impact of acute and 6-day sodium nitrate supplementation on oxygen uptake (V̇O2) and time-trial performance in trained cyclists. Using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, ...
Dietary Inorganic Nitrate as an Ergogenic Aid Vrije Universiteit Brussel
INTRODUCTION: Dietary inorganic nitrate is a popular nutritional supplement, which increases nitric oxide bioavailability and may improve exercise performance. Despite over a decade of research into the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation during exercise there is currently no expert consensus on how, when and for whom this compound could be recommended as an ergogenic aid. Moreover, there is no consensus on the safe administration of ...
'Let him who is without sin cast his tennis racket at her ...' Ghent University
Do Glucose and Caffeine Nasal Sprays Influence Exercise and/or Cognitive Performance? Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Introduction: Nasal spray (NAS) containing caffeine (CAF) or glucose (GLUC) activates sensory(motor) cortices. Purpose: To investigate the influence of CAF or GLUC NAS on exercise and cognitive performance. Methods: Eleven male subjects (age 22 ± 2 y) performed a maximal cycle test and 2 familiarization and 3 experimental trials. Each trial included a 30-s Wingate test and a 30-min time-Trial (TT) performance test interspersed by 15 min of ...
Caffeine improves performance but not duration of the countermovement jump phases Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BACKGROUND: The countermovement jump (CMJ) test is often employed to assess power generated in the lower limbs and has been related to performance in several sports modalities. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of caffeine supplementation on jump height, average power (AP), peak power (PP), maximum velocity (Vmax), force production and duration of the eccentric, isometric and concentric muscle contraction phases of a ...
Influence of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on High-Intensity Intermittent Running Performance at Different Doses of Normobaric Hypoxia in Endurance-Trained Males Vrije Universiteit Brussel
This study investigated whether supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BR) can improve high-intensity intermittent running performance in trained males in normoxia and different doses of normobaric hypoxia. Eight endurance-trained males (V˙O2peak, 62 ± 6 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed repeated 90 s intervals at 110% of peak treadmill velocity, from an initial step incremental test, interspersed by 60 s of passive recovery until ...