Effect of Caffeine and 1,3-Dimethylamylamine on Exercise Performance and Blood Markers of Lipolysis and Oxidative Stress in Trained Men and Women

Abstract

Background:

Caffeine is one of the most widely used ergogenic aids worldwide. Recently, caffeine has been combined with 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-D) in an attempt to improve exercise performance and related variables. We investigated the effect of caffeine and 1,3-D alone and in combination on exercise performance and blood markers of lipolysis and oxidative stress.

Methods:

Twelve exercise-trained subjects ingested placebo, caffeine (4 mg·kg⁻¹), 1,3-D (1 mg·kg⁻¹), or caffeine+ 1,3-D, 60 minutes before completing a 10 km run. Blood was collected before intake, immediately pre-exercise, and at 5 and 30 minutes postexercise. Samples were analyzed for glycerol, free fatty acids (FFAs), malondialdehyde, nitrate/nitrite, and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC).

Results:

Run time (minutes) was not different for placebo (52.55±1.96), caffeine (52.00±1.88), 1,3-D (52.02±1.86), or caffeine+ 1,3-D (52.46±1.94) (p>0.05). Glycerol and FFA were higher 5 and 30 minutes postexercise compared with pretreatment and pre-exercise (p<0.05). A condition effect was noted for glycerol (p=0.01), with higher values for 1,3-D compared with caffeine+ 1,3-D (p<0.05). A condition effect was noted for TEAC (p=0.0001), with higher values for placebo compared with caffeine and caffeine+ 1,3-D, and higher values for 1,3-D compared with caffeine (p<0.05). No other effects were noted for any measured variable (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

We report for the first time that caffeine+ 1,3D does not improve exercise performance as measured by run time. Isolated ingestion of 1,3-D results in the greatest increase in postexercise glycerol and FFA. Caffeine or 1,3-D alone or in combination does not differently affect oxidative stress biomarkers.