Background of the study:

Astaxanthin has been shown to be a powerfull anti-oxidant. Health benefits have been shown in animals and humans. Exercise enhancing effects have been shown in animals via enhancement of fat oxidation. We want to examine the effects of 4 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation on fat oxidation and cycling performance in trained cyclists

Objective of the study:

To test the hypothesis that 4 weeks supplementation with astaxanthin will improve fat oxidation and improve exercise performance in trained cyclists

Study design:

Double blind, placebo controlled study.

Study population:

Well trained cyclists between 18-30 years old

Intervention (if applicable):

astaxanthin (20 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks

Primary study parameters/outcome of the study:

performance on a time trial after 90 min steady state exercise.

Secundary study parameters/outcome of the study (if applicable):

substrate use plasma glucose plasma lactate plasma free fatty acid plasma astaxanthin

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness (if applicable):

The risks involved in participating in this experiment are minimal. Astaxanthin has been shown to be safe. Insertion of the catheters in a vein is comparable to a normal blood draw and the only risk is of a small local haematoma.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy
• Male
• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Endurance trained (≥3 sessions of endurance exercise per week)
• VO2 max ≥ 50 ml/kg/min
• Training history of more than one year of ≥3 sessions of endurance exercise per week
• BMI <25 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of medication
• Smoking