The Effects of Tyrosol and Creatine on Exercise Performance and Cognition in Healthy Adults

Utilizing a pronated clean grip, subjects will be instructed to assume a body position similar to the second pull of the snatch and clean. Once body positioning is stabilized, the subject will be given a countdown. Minimal pre-tension will be allowed to eliminate slack prior to initiation of the IMTP. Each subject will perform two warm-up reps, one at 50% and one at 75% of perceived maximum effort. Thereafter, subjects will complete two maximal IMTPs separated by approximately two minutes of rest. Force kinematics from the IMTP will be collected and recorded using a linear position transducer.

Subjects will be asked to perform a 5 repetition maximum (RM) lift in order to calculate their 1RM for determination of weight needed for the protocol. They will start with a warm-up consisting of the following: 1 set of 8-10 reps of a light weight of their choosing followed by 1-2 sets of 3-5 reps of progressively heavier weights (~50-70% of self-estimated 1RM). Following a 2-minute rest, subjects will select a weight they feel confident they can do for 5-7 reps but not more than 7 reps (based on warm-up weights). Weight will be increased until the subject is only able to complete 5 reps with good form. This will be their 5RM. For safety, a spotter will always be present for lifts and a set of safety bars will be used as well. Subject's 1RM will be calculated from this 5RM using the Brzycki formula (Macarilla CT, et.al. 2022) 1RM = W / (1.0278 - 0.0278 × R), where W represents the weight lifted in pounds, and R represents the number of repetitions.

After calculating the estimated 1RM from the 5RM, subjects will then perform 4 sets of bench press at 50% of the calculated 1RM to failure with a two-minute rest between all sets. Total repetitions for each of these sets will be recorded and will be used to determine fatigue and compared to follow-up Visit 2 performance for fatigue resistance. For safety, a spotter will always be present for lifts and a set of safety bars will be used as well.

Participants will complete a graded cycling test on a calibrated cycle ergometer to assess aerobic performance. The total duration in minutes participants are able to sustain the incremental cycling workload until volitional fatigue is recorded. This measures endurance capacity during the graded test. Proper cycle ergometer setup, including seat height and handlebar position, will be standardized for all participants. Testing will be conducted by trained technicians for consistency.

Subjects will complete the Stroop task electronically using the Milliseconds platform for cognitive assessment. Stroop is designed to measure executive function, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. It includes three conditions: simple reaction to color words, matching color and word, and identifying mismatched color-word combinations. Key metrics include simple and complex reaction times and commission errors. Faster reaction times and fewer errors reflect stronger executive control, while delayed times or errors may indicate cognitive slowing, impulsivity, or difficulty inhibiting automatic responses.

Subjects will complete The Abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS) as an electronic 40-item self-report instrument used to assess an individual's transient emotional state across seven distinct dimensions: Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, Fatigue-Inertia, Confusion-Bewilderment, Vigor-Activity (Energy), and Esteem-Related Affect. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 ("Not at all") to 4 ("Extremely"). Domain scores are calculated by summing item responses within each subscale. A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score is computed as the sum of negative mood domains (Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue, and Confusion) minus the sum of positive mood domains (Vigor and Esteem-Related Affect). A constant of 100 is added to the TMD score to eliminate negative values, resulting in a total score range of 0 to 200. Higher TMD scores indicate greater overall mood disturbance, whereas lower scores indicate a more favorable mood state.

Total and regional body composition will be determined by a whole-body scan on a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry device (DXA) (Horizon A DXA System, Hologic Inc, Marlborough, MA). Each subject will be scanned by a certified technician, and the digital segmentation will be determined via computer algorithm. Fat-free mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage will be determined for each scan. Calibration will be performed against a phantom prior to testing. The abdominal region will be delineated by an upper horizontal border located at half of the distance between the acromion processes and external end of iliac crests, a lower border determined by the external end of iliac crests and the lateral borders extending to the edge of the abdominal soft tissue. All trunk tissue within this standardized height region will be selected for analysis.

A 7-point likert scale will be used for upper body muscle soreness, after performing 5 bodyweight pushups (modified for women, standard for men). The likert scale is a validated instrument designed to assess self reported muscle soreness, measured across a 7-point scale. The scale ranges from 0 (no soreness), to 6 (unbearable soreness), and has good validity and reliability (Impellizzeri, F., et al., 2007).

The Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) is a self-report measure designed to assess an individual's sense of aliveness and energy availability as a positive psychological resource. Vitality, in this context, refers to the subjective experience of feeling energized, animated, and mentally alive, and is conceptually distinguished from the absence of fatigue or negative affect. The SVS contains six-items with each item rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from "Not at all true" (1) to "Somewhat true" (4) to "Very true" (7). A sample item includes statements such as "I feel alive and vital." The total score is calculated as the mean of all item responses, with higher scores indicating greater levels of subjective energy and vitality. The scale has demonstrated sound psychometric properties across diverse populations and has been used extensively in research examining the effects of physical activity, social interactions, nature exposure, and motivational climates on well-being.

Widely used measure of short-term and working memory capacity. We are using the visual presentation format. Participants are presented with sequences of digits displayed on a computer screen, each appearing briefly in succession. The test is administered in two conditions: forward and backward. In the Forward Digit Span condition, participants are asked to recall and enter the sequence in the same order as it was displayed, providing a measure of short-term visual memory and sustained attention. In the Backward Digit Span condition, participants must reproduce the sequence in reverse order, placing additional demands on working memory, mental manipulation, and executive function. Higher scores indicate greater memory capacity, and the backward condition is particularly sensitive to deficits in working memory and cognitive flexibility. The visual format of the task allows for standardized, computerized administration making it well-suited for laboratory and remote testing.