The Physiological Effects of Advocare Spark Energy on Submaximal Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: AdvoCare-Spark energy is a multi-nutrient supplement that incorporates ergogenic aids such as creatine and caffeine. The referred ergogenic aids are substances that enhance performance, and is one of the most studied research areas in athletic performance. Many supplements contain nutrients including water-soluble vitamins, metabolic by-products of nutrients, plant extracts, substances found in food (vitamin B6, creatine, caffeine) and are found in high amounts naturally in foods. Studies have shown that ingestion of caffeine pre-exercise can enhance endurance performance by decreasing the rate of perceived exertion. The combination of caffeine . and taurine in Advocare-Spark energy are both stimulants that make the supplement a possible effective ergogenic aid. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of AdvoCare spark energy on a 30-minute cycling test and determine if the supplement enhances exercise performance. METHODS: Five male students ages (20.8 ± 0.75 yrs.), weight (75.72 ± 4.34 kg), height (176.2 ± 6.94 cm) from the UTA Kinesiology department were participants of this study. Each subject performed two 30-minute submaximal cycling tests on the Ergomedic 828E Monark Cycle Ergometer. The two tests were separated by a 48-72 hour period and were conducted in MAC 154. Prior to testing, the participants were instructed not to exercise for a full 24 – hours, to be well hydrated and fasted two hours prior to testing. Participants were randomly assigned to a trial on whether they received the AdvoCare spark supplement or a watermelon flavored Kool-aid 20 minutes prior to testing. The variables of interest were: maximal oxygen consumption (VO2), rate of perceived exertion, and Heart Rate (HR), and total distance each subject traveled in kilometer. Measurements of HR, VO2, distance from the monark bike screen, and RPE using the Borg’s scale, were collected at 10-minute intervals totaling 30-minutes. Upon beginning the test, subjects were instructed to maintain a workload of at least 60 rpm or more to ensure intensity remained between 65-70% of their max predicted max heart rates. All the data was recorded on an excel sheet for statistical analysis. The alpha level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: From the results collected, the HR with the placebo was 141 bpm ± 7.3 while it was 142 bpm ± 3.5 after consuming Spark. The VO2 with the placebo was 19.8 ml/kg/min ± 4.5 and 20.4 mlL/kg/min ± 4.2 for Spark. The RPE value for placebo was 11.2 ± 1.3 and 10.5 ± 1.4 for Spark. The total distance traveled with the placebo was 14.78 km ± 1.2 and 14.62 km ± 0.97 with Spark. After a t-test was performed, the difference in HR (p = 0.77), RPE (p = 0.17), VO2 (p =0.82), distance covered with Spark and without Spark (p = 0.62) showed no significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the consumption of Spark-Advocare had no significant difference on RPE, HR, total distance, and VO2. The absence of a significant difference may also be the result of differences in habitual exercise regimens and individual fitness. Caffeine is only shown to be an effective ergogenic aid in resistance training but does not show much improvement with aerobic exercise.