Velositol plus whey protein boosts muscle endurance, power, and jump height: Study
Data published in the Journal of Exercise and Nutrition indicated that 2 grams of Velositol + 15 grams of whey protein isolate during eight weeks of resistance training led to greater increases in total squat reps, vertical jump power, and vertical jump height, compared to 15 grams of whey protein and 30 grams of whey protein alone.
While there no significant differences or changes between the groups for outcomes related to body composition, such as fat mass, fat-free mass, percent fat, and so on, the Velositol plus whey group displayed the greatest net whole-body protein balance (synthesis –breakdown) after four weeks (but not after eight weeks), reported the researchers, led by Tim Ziegenfuss, PhD, from the Center for Applied Health Sciences (CAHS), Division of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science.
“These results have implications for athletes competing in weight-restricted sports and/or in events where additional body mass is a potential liability (eg. wresting, combat sports, sprinting/running, gymnastics, etc.),” they wrote.
“Additionally, these data are also promising for healthy aging applications and clinical populations in older, sarcopenic adults who may encounter catabolic stressors such as injury, surgery, illness, or bed rest and may not be optimizing protein quantity, dietary distribution and/or protein quality.”
Building the data
Velositol is a combination of amylopectin and chromium. A previous clinical study showed that adding 2 grams of Velositol to a 6 gram dose of whey protein doubled the muscle protein synthesis (MPS) rate compared to what was seen when using whey alone (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2017, 14:6).
The new study set out to investigate if chronic supplementation with Velositol plus a higher dose of protein could impact resistance training adaptations, recovery, and biomarkers of safety.
Dr Ziegenfuss and his collaborators from CAHS, Lindenwood University and the University of Arkansas for Medical Science recruited 35 recreationally active men with an average age of 40.9 to participate in their eight-week randomized, active-controlled, double-blind trial. Volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Two grams of Velositol plus 15 grams of whey protein isolate (WPI) per day; 15 grams per day of WPI; or 30 grams of WPI per day. All of the men took their respective supplement immediately after resistance exercise on training days or at the same time on non-training days.
The results showed that all groups exhibited increases in strength, increased fat-free mass, and improved muscle size.
All of the men also displayed statistically significant increases in squat repetitions-to-failure, with the greatest increases in the Velositol group.
Significant increases in vertical jump power and vertical jump height were also found in the Velositol group, compared to the whey-only groups, reported the researchers.
Danielle Greenberg, PhD, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Nutrition21, explained: “Velositol increases the effects of protein on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) by enhancing the mTOR signaling pathway, which is reliant on amino acids and insulin activity.
“When used with a resistance exercise program, Velositol’s novel complex enhances the effects of protein, increasing strength, endurance, and power, while supporting healthy and sustained muscle function.”
Source: Journal of Exercise and Nutrition
2021, 4(3)
“Effects of an Amylopectin-Chromium Complex Plus Whey Protein on Strength and Power After Eight Weeks of Resistance Training”
Authors: T.N. Ziegenfuss, et al.
