Sideritis Supplementation and Performance

Significance of the Study:

There is currently no evidence supporting an improvement in athletic performance following the use of sideritis. Despite existing studies showing that the mechanism through which sideritis acts is almost identical to that of other supplements that have been found to enhance athletic performance, direct evidence for its effectiveness remains lacking.

Methodology:

Initially, the participants of the study will visit the laboratory in order to be informed about the exercise research protocol. During the first visit, the participants will perform a maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) test on a treadmill using the RAMP protocol. In this specific method for determining maximal oxygen uptake, the treadmill speed will increase by 1 km/h every minute. Thus, the participants will reach exhaustion gradually.

The participants will visit the laboratory two more times in order to perform the exercise protocols. One hour before each session, each participant will receive a dietary supplement, which will contain either 950 mg of sideritis or a specific dosage of a neutral substance (placebo). The selection of supplements will be random, as the study will be conducted using a double-blind design. This means that neither the participants nor the researcher will know which type of supplement has been consumed prior to the exercise protocol. The exercise protocol will consist of 60 minutes of treadmill running at an intensity of 70-75% of VO₂max, which has been individually determined for each participant based on the prior VO₂max test. During these 60 minutes, a gas exchange mask will be used to determine that participants are running at the specified intensity. After the 60 minutes, participants will wear the mask again and will run at a higher intensity (90-95% VO₂max) until exhaustion (Time to Exhaustion). Before each exercise protocol, and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes during exercise, as well as immediately after completion, capillary blood samples will be collected to assess lactate and glucose levels. Additionally, body composition measurements will be conducted using the BIA method. Participants' dietary intake will also be recorded for the day prior to the VO₂max test, as well as for the days preceding the exercise protocol sessions. This recording will be conducted in order to determine whether any participant has consumed sideritis through their diet prior to the protocol.

Statistical Analysis

A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA will be performed. The statistical program SPSS 26 will be used.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy Individuals aged 18-40 years

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal Injury
• Dietary supplements
• Medication