Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Ketone Esters and Metabolism During Recovery from Endurance Exercise

This research is investigating whether a specific type of drink, called a ketone ester, can help bodies recover more effectively after intense exercise. When you exercise hard, your body uses up its energy stores, especially in the liver. We already know that a substance similar to what's in ketone esters can help the liver store more energy. This study aims to find out if drinking a ketone ester after exercise has a similar effect, potentially speeding up recovery and improving future performance. By looking at how the body uses energy and recovers, we hope to learn if this drink could be a helpful tool for athletes.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Bath

Enrolment target

Start

01 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

01 May 2025

Exercise Metabolism

What is this study about?

Imagine your body is like a car, and exercise is like driving it very fast – you use up a lot of fuel. After exercise, your body needs to refuel, especially in your liver, which stores a type of sugar called glycogen. This glycogen is your body's main energy source during activity.

This study is looking at a special drink called a 'ketone ester'. We already know that a similar substance can help the liver store more glycogen. We want to see if drinking this ketone ester after exercise can help your liver refuel more quickly. If it does, this could mean your body recovers better and you might be able to perform better in your next exercise session. It's all about finding ways to help athletes recover and do their best.

The main goal is to understand how these ketone esters affect your body’s metabolism (how it uses energy) and your ability to exercise again after recovery. We're hoping to learn if this drink could be a simple way to boost recovery for people who exercise a lot.

Key takeaways

The study explores if a 'ketone ester' drink helps athletes recover after exercise.
It aims to understand how the drink affects your body's energy use and recovery.
The goal is to see if it could improve future exercise performance.
Participants need to be active, healthy adults who exercise regularly.
The findings might lead to better recovery strategies for athletes.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a healthy adult between 18 and 60 years old. You should also be someone who exercises regularly, specifically doing more than 3 hours of aerobic training per week, like running, and have at least two years of running experience.

There are also some things that would mean you couldn't join. For example, if you've smoked in the last five years, or if you have certain ongoing health conditions like uncontrolled problems with your metabolism or breathing. Also, if you're currently taking regular medications, following a very low-carb or 'ketogenic' diet, or already using ketone supplements, you wouldn't be able to take part. We also can't include anyone with a history of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Do you exercise aerobically (like running) for more than 3 hours each week?
Do you have at least two years of running experience?
Are you generally healthy and not currently on regular medication or a special diet?
Have you not smoked in the last five years and do not have a history of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This section has not been provided in the brief summary. Typically, taking part in a study like this would involve several visits to a clinic or lab. You would likely undergo some initial health checks and fitness tests. During the study, you might be asked to perform specific exercise tasks and then drink either the ketone ester or a placebo (a dummy drink). Researchers would then take measurements, like blood or breath samples, to see how your body is using energy and recovering. There would also likely be follow-up appointments to assess your recovery and performance. The total duration of your participation would depend on the study design.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you might gain a better understanding of your own fitness and metabolism. While there's no guarantee of direct health benefits, the information we learn could help many other athletes in the future. As with any study, there could be minor risks, such as discomfort from blood tests or slight side effects from the drink, though these would be carefully explained. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Bath
Verified postcode
Bath, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a ketone ester?

It's a special drink that provides your body with ketones, which are another way your body can get energy, especially during exercise or when recovering.

What does 'recovery from exercise' mean?

It's the time after you finish exercising when your body repairs itself, rebuilds energy stores, and gets ready for your next activity.

Will I know if I'm getting the ketone ester or a placebo?

No, this is usually a 'blinded' study, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know who gets which drink. This helps make the results fair.

How long will I need to be in the study?

The information provided doesn't specify an exact duration, but most studies like this involve multiple visits over a period of weeks or months.

Do I need to be a professional athlete to join?

No, but you do need to be a regular exerciser with good aerobic fitness and running experience.