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NCT Number: NCT07630870

The Effects of Astaxanthin on Physiological Anti-fatigue and Sports Performance: an Integrated Study From the Application of Laboratory Human Sports Platform to Simulated Competitions

To address the rapid recovery needs in intensive badminton competitions, this 2-year study evaluates Astaxanthin (AST) as a potential ergogenic aid. The research aims to elucidate how AST attenuates exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage. By establishing an evidence-based nutritional strategy, this study seeks to maintain peak performance for elite athletes in badminton and other racket sports, while supporting the development of functional anti-fatigue health products.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

China Medical University

Taichung, Taiwan

About this study

First Year: In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to either the AST group or the placebo group and will take AST supplements or a placebo (20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. You will not know whether you have been assigned to the supplement group or the placebo group. After the first trial in each group, there will be a 14-day washout period, after which the two groups will switch places to conduct the second trial. Seven days before the exercise performance test, all participants will undergo a maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) test, and the intensity of the single-session cycling challenge will be calculated based on this measurement. Participants will fast for 12 hours prior to the day of the exercise challenge. They will report to the laboratory at 7:00 AM on the day of the test for body composition measurements, followed by consumption of a light meal (300 kcal) accompanied by an AST supplement or placebo capsule, and a 1-hour rest period. One hour after taking the supplement capsule, participants performed a 5-minute cycling warm-up on a human motion platform designed by the PI's laboratory, followed by a single 60-minute cycling exercise at 70% VO2max, maintaining a cadence of 60 rpm throughout. After completing the exercise challenge, participants consumed a meal (60% carbohydrates, 25% fat, 15% protein) tailored to their body weight. Then, 3 hours into the recovery period, they underwent an anaerobic power test and a subsequent exercise-to-exhaustion (Time to Exhaustion, TTE) challenge at 75% VO2max, with exercise performance times recorded. Additionally, blood and gas samples were collected before the first cycling challenge, at the 30-minute mark during the challenge, immediately after exercise, every hour during the recovery period, and after the subsequent exercise-to-exhaustion test. Following a brief recovery period (3 hours), participants performed a 30-second anaerobic power test. After a 5-minute rest, they proceeded to a 75% cycling test to exhaustion. The experimental design included administering the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after each exercise challenge to assess participants' emotional tendencies during exercise. The experimental procedures and exercise performance tests for both trials were identical to those described above.

Year 2: This study employs a randomized, single-blind, crossover design. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups to receive either an AST supplement or a placebo (12 mg/day) for 4 weeks, and you will not know whether you have been assigned to the supplement or placebo group. After the first trial is completed for each group, there will be an 8-week washout period, after which the two groups will switch places to conduct the second trial. This simulated badminton competition consists of 5 matches over 5 consecutive days, with a 24-hour rest period between each match. All participants will follow a controlled diet for 3 days prior to the simulated badminton competition trial. Participants will fast starting 12 hours before the day of the simulated competition. They will report to the laboratory at 7:00 AM on the day of the test for body composition measurements, followed by consumption of a light meal (300 kcal) paired with an AST capsule or placebo. After a 3-hour rest period, the first blood draw will be performed, followed by a badminton-specific warm-up (15 minutes). Following the research assistant's instructions, participants first performed a badminton-specific warm-up for 10 to 15 minutes. Subsequently, in accordance with the latest international competition format "3 x 21-point system" established by the Badminton World Federation (Badminton World Federation, BWF) in 2006, participants were paired up to complete a simulated badminton match using the "3 x 21-point system," with a 1-minute-30-second rest period before the start of the next game. Participants were allowed to hydrate during the simulated badminton matches. Finally, to better simulate the scenario where badminton players may need to prepare for the next match immediately after completing one, the final aerobic capacity test involved a badminton-specific incremental endurance test. Participants were allowed to stop the test upon reaching exercise exhaustion, and the total exercise duration and power output were recorded. The experimental procedures and performance assessment items for both trials were the same as described above. Sport-specific physical performance assessments included upper-body grip strength, the Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), and 10-second anaerobic power.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • A minimum of five years of badminton training experience (with a training frequency of at least three times per week, sustained for three consecutive years).

Exclusion criteria

  • chronic diseases, such as heart disease or hypertension, drinking habits and severe lower limb musculoskeletal injuries within the past six months.

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Other

Supplemented with placebo for 4 weeks

Astaxanthin

Other

Supplemented with Astaxanthin (AST) for 4 weeks (12 mg/day, AstaReal®, Sweden)

Primary outcomes

  1. Badminton specific incremental endurance test

    Time frame: Baseline,week 1 end of 4-week supplementation period

    The badminton specific incremental endurance test measures endurance performance through repetitive specific movements on a Y-shaped court layout (3-meter distance between points).

    Unit of Measure: Minutes

Secondary outcomes

  1. Upper Limb Grip Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Upper limb muscle strength is assessed using an electronic hand dynamometer. The maximum value from two attempts for both left and right hands is recorded as the reference data.Unit of Measure:Kilograms.

  2. Countermovement jump, CMJ

    Time frame: Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Lower limb maximum strength, power, and speed are evaluated using an athletic performance measurement system (OptojumpNext). Participants execute a downward squat followed immediately by a maximal vertical jump.Unit of Measure:jump height in centimeters.

  3. Agility T test

    Time frame: Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Athletes navigate a T-shaped course at maximum speed and touch marker cones to simulate rapid movement and directional changes in badminton offensive and defensive plays.Unit of Measure:seconds.

  4. Star Excursion Balance Test, SEBT

    Time frame: Baseline, and before and after the simulated badminton matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Assesses dynamic balance. Participants perform single-leg squats and reach as far as possible with the non-stance leg along 8 designated lines on the floor.Unit of Measure:Reach distance divided by leg length as a percentage (%).

  5. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    biomarker used to evaluate total antioxidant capacity.And the absorbance was measured at 532 nm and 570 nm using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria). The final concentrations were calculated based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL).

  6. Malondialdehyde (MDA) Levels

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of MDA to evaluate the degree of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.Unit of Measure: Units per milliliter (U/mL).

  7. Serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Concentration

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-6 to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

  8. Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) Concentration

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    A pro-inflammatory cytokine measured in serum and to evaluate the inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

  9. Serum Creatine Kinase (CK) Concentration

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum.The absorbance was measured at 450 nm, 505 nm, and 572 nm, respectively, using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum concentrations were determined based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).

  10. High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, hs-CRP

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum.The absorbance was measured at 450 nm, 505 nm, and 572 nm, respectively, using a microplate reader (Tecan GENios, A-5082, Austria) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum concentrations were determined based on the standard curve.Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).

  11. Interleukin-1 beta, IL-1β

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-1β to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

  12. Interleukin-10, IL-10

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Blood samples are collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-10 to assess exercise-induced inflammatory response.Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

  13. Uric Acid (UA) Levels

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    Measured in serum as a marker of metabolic stress and muscle damage using commercial analytical reagents. Unit of Measure: Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

  14. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Activity

    Time frame: Baseline; and after game 1, game 2, and game 3 of the simulated matches in week 1 and weeks 2-4.

    A biomarker of muscle damage measured in serum using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU5800).Unit of Measure: Units per Liter (U/L).

  15. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Vigor Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the positive mood state of vigor. It consists of specific adjectives scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of vigor. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  16. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Self-esteem Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the mood state of self-esteem. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-esteem. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale.

  17. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Tension Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of tension. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of tension. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  18. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Confusion Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of confusion. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of confusion. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  19. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Anger Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of anger. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of anger. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  20. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Fatigue Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of fatigue. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  21. Profile of Mood States (POMS) - Depression Subscale Score

    Time frame: Measured immediately after simulated badminton match.

    A subscale of the POMS brief version used to evaluate the negative mood state of depression. Scored on a 5-point scale (1-5). Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression. Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

  22. Anaerobic Peak Power

    Time frame: Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.

    The highest power output achieved during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This value reflects the explosive anaerobic power of the badminton players, typically reached within the first 3 to 5 seconds of the test. The resistance load is set at body weight (kg) × 0.75.Unit of Measure: Watts (W)

  23. Relative Anaerobic Peak Power

    Time frame: Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.

    The anaerobic peak power output divided by the participant's body weight, obtained during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This normalization accounts for individual differences in body mass among badminton players. Unit of Measure: Watts per kilogram (W/kg)

  24. Absolute Mean Power / Total Work

    Time frame: Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.

    The average power output (total work) sustained over the entire duration of the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This value represents the anaerobic endurance capacity required during intense badminton rallies.

    Unit of Measure: Watts (W)

  25. Relative Anaerobic Mean Power

    Time frame: Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.

    The average power output sustained over the 10-second test divided by the participant's body weight, obtained during the modified 10-second Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike.

    Unit of Measure: Watts per kilogram (W/kg)

  26. Time to Peak Anaerobic Power

    Time frame: Measured before and after each simulated badminton match.

    The duration from the start of the 10-second maximum effort pedaling until the peak power output is attained during the modified Wingate anaerobic test on a Monark 894E stationary ergometer bike. This metric evaluates how rapidly the badminton player can mobilize and express maximum explosive anaerobic energy (typically expected within the first 3 to 5 seconds).

    Unit of Measure: Seconds (s)

  27. Maximum Heart Rate

    Time frame: Continuous measurement throughout the 3-game simulated match (data extracted post-match).

    The highest heart rate recorded using a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap heart rate monitor during the 3-game simulated badminton match to assess peak cardiovascular strain.

    Unit of Measure: Beats per minute (bpm)

  28. Mean Heart Rate

    Time frame: Continuous measurement throughout the 3-game simulated match (data extracted post-match).

    The average heart rate recorded using a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap heart rate monitor across the entire duration of the 3-game simulated badminton match to evaluate overall cardiovascular workload.

    Unit of Measure: Beats per minute (bpm)

  29. Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

    Time frame: Measured immediately at the end of Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 during the simulated match.

    Participants' subjective rating of exercise intensity assessed using the Borg RPE scale (6-20 scale), where 6 represents "no exertion at all" and 20 represents "maximal exertion." The RPE is surveyed immediately after the completion of each game within the simulated match.

    Unit of Measure: Units on a scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

China Medical University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 5, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 5, 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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