Dietary Nucleotides and Ribose on Muscle Fuel Utilisation

The Effect of Dietary Nucleotides and Ribose on Muscle Fuel Utilisation and Exercise Performance

Nucleotides are the building blocks for a variety of molecules, including ATP, which is broken down in the skeletal muscle cells to provide fuel for exercise. Nucleotides can be obtained from the diet, and produced or salvaged by the body. Though nucleotides provide the building blocks for ATP, the sugar ribose has been suggested to be rate limiting for synthesising ATP.

Previous studies have shown a decrease in ATP levels in the muscle after intense exercise, and this is linked to fatigue. Other studies have also reported benefits of nucleotide and/or ribose supplementation on exercise performance. However, any potential link between ATP metabolism and exercise performance has not been explored.

This study will look at the effects of nucleotide and nucleotide-ribose supplementation in fuel utilisation and performance in skeletal muscle during endurance exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 18 and 30

Exclusion Criteria:

• On medication (except contraception)
• Smokers
• Diagnosed with any metabolic or cardiovascular conditions
• Muscle or bone injuries
• BMI < 18 or > 30