Ketone supplements may boost reaction times for soccer players

By Stephen Daniells

- Last updated on GMT

© Ryan McVay / Getty Images
© Ryan McVay / Getty Images

Related tags ketone ester ketones Sports nutrition Cognitive function reaction times

Decreases in reaction time that occur during team sports may be prevented by ketone ester supplements, suggests data from a small study from Canada.

A single 25-gram dose of a ketone monoester supplement led to better reaction times following a 45 minute simulated soccer match, compared to placebo.

Scientists from the University of Western Ontario used the commercial supplement called ΔG ketone performance marketed by Orlandom, FL-based TdeltaS Global. The supplement was also associated with reduced glucose and lactate levels in the blood.

“These data suggest that [ketone monoester] supplementation can attenuate the decline in some aspects of cognitive function during sports characterized by repeated, intense, intermittent exercise,” ​they wrote. However, given that the study only included nine recreationally active men in a double-blind, balanced, crossover design, the researchers called for more study to assess fully “the possible cognitive/physical benefits of [ketone monoester] for athletes”.

Nutritional ketosis

In recent years, exogenous ketones delivered synthetically in supplement form have emerged as an easier and faster route to triggering a state of ketosis than more restrictive conventional methods.

The potential cognitive benefits of exogenous ketones were reported in a 2021 paper published in the Journal of Physiology​. That study, performed by scientists at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, found that ketone supplements containing β-hydroxybutyrate led to improvements in aspects of cognition and increases cerebrovascular blood flow (CBF) in obese people.

In the sports realm, several studies have examined the potential cognitive benefits during exercise. But the results have been mixed, said the University of Western Ontario scientists.

Study details

The new study included nine recreationally active men randomly assigned to receive either the ketone monoester (KME) supplement or placebo during a simulated soccer match (SSM). The men underwent a 40-minute mental fatiguing task and then consumed the KME or placebo. This was followed by the SSM, which featured three 15-minute running periods separated by three-minute recovery periods. Cognitive tests, namely the Stroop and Choice Reaction Task (CRT), were performed throughout the simulated match. One week after this, the participants returned to the lab to cross over to the other intervention.

The data showed that ketone supplements decreased blood glucose and blood lactate levels versus placebo, which perhaps indicated a carbohydrate sparing effect, said the researchers. Increases in blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate were observed following ketone supplementation, but not for placebo, as would be expected.

Impairments in the CRT were observed in both ketone and placebo groups, but the impairment was significantly less in the ketone group, compared to placebo, they added. Specifically, the decline in the ketone group was 1.3%, compared to 3.4% for placebo.

The researchers did not find any other differences between the interventions for other measures of cognitive function, including on the Stroop test.

“These results should be interpreted with caution and additional study with more challenging dynamic visual acuity tasks or even with future sport video game simulation tasks using the technology now available from companies like EA is needed to confirm the present findings,” they wrote.

Source: Nutrients
2022, 14(20), 4376; doi: 10.3390/nu14204376
“Ketone Ester Supplementation Improves Some Aspects of Cognitive Function during a Simulated Soccer Match after Induced Mental Fatigue”
Authors: M.D. Quinones et al.        

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

4 reasons children need MFGM, according to science

4 reasons children need MFGM, according to science

Content provided by Valio | 29-Sep-2023 | White Paper

In this white paper, Dr Anu Turpeinen discusses the ample scientific evidence showing why milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is essential for children’s...

Golden Omega® Sustainability Strategy

Golden Omega® Sustainability Strategy

Content provided by LEHVOSS Nutrition | 11-Sep-2023 | Data Sheet

Commitment to sustainability at Golden Omega® is ever growing as they continue to put objectives in place to secure a better environment for the future....

Mobility Market: Discover New Trends & Innovation

Mobility Market: Discover New Trends & Innovation

Content provided by vaneeghen | 06-Sep-2023 | White Paper

The demand for joint health products is on the rise, branching out beyond age-related issues into active nutrition and prevention; driving new opportunities...

Explosive Power and Pump with GlycerBlast™

Explosive Power and Pump with GlycerBlast™

Content provided by INNOBIO Corporation Limited | 22-Aug-2023 | White Paper

GlycerBlast™ creates an intense muscle pump and blood flow through hydration, while boosting athletic endurance and performance. INNOBIO's GlycerBlast™...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars