The Effects of Acute Ketone Monoester Supplementation on 20-Minute Time-Trial Performance in Trained Cyclists

This study will determine if the acute ingestion of a ketone supplement alters cycling time trial performance. Trained participants with competitive cycling experience will be recruited. Exercise will involve a 20-minute bout of cycling on a stationary ergometer with the goal of producing the highest power output possible. Participants will ingest either a ketone supplement or a taste-matched placebo drink prior to exercise using a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Diet prior to exercise will be standardized between trials for a given participant. Blood samples will be obtained to assess selected metabolic responses. This study will provide information regarding the effect of ketone supplementation on exercise responses.

Inclusion criteria

• Habitually ingesting >50 g of dietary carbohydrate daily i.e. not following a ketogenic diet.
• Regularly performing cycling exercise at least 3 days per week and for a total of ≥5 hours per week.
• Having an estimated peak oxygen uptake of ≥55 ml/kg/min for males and ≥48 ml/kg/min for females based on the online fitness calculator available at: www.worldfitnesslevel.org.
• Having competitive cycling experience.

Exclusion criteria

• Experiencing a condition that might preclude safe participation in physical activity and exercise, as determined by answering "Yes" to any question on Page 1 of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Get Active Questionnaire.