Meta-analysis supports ATP's ergogenic potential for resistance-trained men
Writing in the journal Sports, Mexico-based scientists reported that daily doses of 400 mg may present an ergogenic effect in resistance-trained men and that supplementation for 12 weeks at this dose is safe in healthy adults.
The new paper was welcomed by TSI, which markets the Peak ATP ingredient (Adenosine 5’-Triphosphate (ATP) disodium), which featured heavily among the published human clinical studies included in the review and meta-analysis.
“We are gratified to have the scientific community affirm the relevance and quality of our research,” said Shawn Baier, vice president of business development for TSI’s innovative products division.
“This meta-analysis comes at a time when there is a resurgence of interest in PEAK ATP, as more and more brands throughout the world are looking to provide their customers with the best pre-workout ingredient for real energy and real results. Numerous studies confirm its immediate benefits for athletes, weekend warriors and everyday exercisers.”
Energy
ATP is the energy source for tissues, but it has also been proposed to have functions beyond energy.
While the compound is known to play a direct role in muscle contraction and relaxation, and also acts as a signaling molecule leading to other effects, there is controversy in the scientific literature concerning ATP’s ability to improve physical performance.
“This is due, in part, to the fact that oral ATP supplementation does not result in increases in intramuscular concentrations. Furthermore, most studies do not evaluate plasma levels of ATP and its metabolites after supplementation, making it difficult to correlate changes in physical performance and body composition with supplementation,” explained the authors of the new paper, who were affiliated with the Autonomous University of Yucatan, the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, and the Regional High Specialty Hospital of the Yucatan.
Moreover, the data is confounded by the use of a range of doses and co-supplementation with other substances.
“For this reason, the current review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of oral ATP supplementation on different anaerobic variables such as maximal strength, maximum repetitions and maximum anaerobic power in healthy subjects trained in resistance,” the researchers wrote.
Study details
Focusing on recent studies published between 2000 and 2022, the researchers identified five double-blind, randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria and provided data for a combined total of 121 adult men.
Crunching the numbers led to the conclusion that oral ATP supplementation significantly increased maximal strength compared with the placebo, but no differences between ATP and placebo were observed for the maximum number of repetitions or the maximum anaerobic power.
“We observed that from 225 mg/day, significant improvements were reported within the ATP group, and with 400 mg/day, significant improvements were observed compared to the [placebo] group; hence, the dose of ATP seems decisive to achieve ergogenic effects,” the researchers stated.
“As more consumers seek non-stimulant energy alternatives for attaining higher peak performance, science clearly affirms they may achieve significant benefits by using PEAK ATP in combination with exercise,” added TSI’s Baier.
Source: Sports
2024, 12(3), 82; doi: 10.3390/sports12030082
“The Effect of Oral Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise in Healthy Resistance-Trained Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Authors: R. González-Marenco et al.
