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NCT Number: NCT07771790

Targeted Assessment of Cognition and Tactical-performance With Ingested Ketones

The goal of this study is to determine whether consuming a commercially available exogenous ketone supplement (KetoneIQ®) affects cognition, specifically marksmanship, under physical stress (i.e., exhaustive exercise).

The main questions we seek to answer are:

* Does the supplement save cognitive performance under stress compared to a placebo? * Does the supplement improve marksmanship under stress compared to a placebo?

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Key information

Conditions

Cognition

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine

Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States

Location contact

Andrew P Koutnik, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Connor R McKay

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Michael J Ormsbee, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

850-644-2194

Michael J Ormsbee, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

In this study, 20 active SWAT team members will be randomized into two groups: Exogenous Ketone Supplement (EKS) and Placebo (PLA).

Participants will complete the trial in a crossover manner (meaning each participant will complete both EKS and PLA conditions)

Our primary outcome of interest is changes in cognitive performance following an exhaustive exercise bout. Secondary outcomes include: changes in marksmanship accuracy and speed, and changes in select biomarkers (catecholamines, cortisol, and BDNF).

Although ketone supplements are marketed for energy and cognitive performance, little is known about how they affect biological markers during stressful environments. Findings from this study may help inform safe, evidence-based use of such supplements among tactical athletes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Active Member of an accredited Law Enforcement Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)
  • Health and capable of meeting testing requirements

Exclusion criteria

  • Following a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet
  • Self-reported Pregnancy
  • Allergy to testing materials
  • Currently using exogenous ketone supplements within one week of testing

Treatment and study plan

KetoneIQ®

Dietary Supplement

Acute dosage at 0.6g/kg of bodyweight, split into 2 boluses of 0.4 and 0.2g/kg seperated by 45 mins

Placebo

Dietary Supplement

Taste, texture, and color matched very low calorie placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. Cognitive Performance

    Time frame: Baseline (minute 0) to Post Suppelementation (minute 45) to Post Exercise (minute 60)

    Changes in Score for the Trail Making Test, Psychomotor Vigilance Test, and Flanker Test.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in Circulating Concentration of Brain Derieved Neurotrophic Factor

    Time frame: Baseline (minute 0) to post supplementation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)

    To assess changes in BDNF from baseline to post supplementation to post exercise

  2. Changes in Circulating Catecholamines Concetrations

    Time frame: From baseline (minute 0) to post supplemenation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)

    To assess changes in the circulating concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

  3. Changes in Circulating Cortisol Concentration

    Time frame: From baseline (minute 0) to post supplemetation (minute 45) to post exercise (minute 60)

    To assess changes in circulating cortisol between groups

  4. Weapons Familarization Score

    Time frame: Post Exercise (minute 60)

    To assess whether potentially improved cognitive performance translates to tactical-specific tasks. Rifle disassembly, reassembly, and functions check. This will be quantified by number of errors and time to completion

  5. Marksmanship efficiency

    Time frame: Post Exercise (minute 60)

    To determine whether potentially improved cognitive performance translates to live-round marksmanship. Using HIT Factor scoring (an aggregate of accuracy and time to completion, where a higher number is better), we will assess both accuracy and speed to completion for a shuttle fire drill

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Michael J Ormsbee, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

850-644-2194

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Florida State University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: TACTIK

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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