The Effect of Choline Supplementation on Physical and Mental Performance of Elite Rangers.
Abstract
Dietary availability of choline, the precursor of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, is sufficient to provide the body's requirements under normal conditions. However, some reports indicated plasma choline levels fall following certain types of strenuous exercise and that depletion of choline may limit performance, while oral supplementation may delay fatigue. A double-blind crossover design was used to determine the relationship between plasma choline and fatigue during and after a 4 hr strenuous exercise. Fourteen Army Rangers participated in this study (ages 19-33 years, mean body fat 11% and VO2 max 60.3 ml. kg-1 min-1). Thirty mins after drinking a nonnutritive beverage with or without choline citrate (8.425 g), Rangers walked on a treadmill at 5.6 km/h, 3% grade, wearing a 29.5 kg rucksack for 20 km, equivalent to approximately 1950 Kcal energy expenditure. An identical dose of the choline supplement was given midway through the treadmill walk. Post-test mn time-to-exhaustion, squat test, perceived exertion, marksmanship, short-term memory, mood states, lactate, glucose, CPK, lipids, and plasma choline were measured. Choline levels increased 128% after the mn-to-exhaustion during the choline supplemented phase but remained stable under the placebo conditions. No significant effects were seen with choline supplementation on any measures. Consequently, plasma choline was not depleted as a result of a weighted road march, a typical Ranger performance task, nor did the Rangers benefit from choline supplementation to enhance or delay fatigue under this exhaustive military task.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331975
Entities
People
- John F. Patton
- John P. Warber
- Kathryn A. Popp
- Robert P. Mello
- William J. Tharion
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine