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Abstract
Background
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid found in cell membranes of most animals and plants. PS has been shown to reduce stress and increase performance in runners, cyclists and golfers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a PS containing formulation on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and after intense resistance exercise.
Methods
18 lower body, resistance trained, college aged males ingested 14 days of supplement (IQPLUS Focus, providing 400 mg of soy-derived PS) and a Placebo (PL), in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over manner. Following 14 days of supplementation, participants performed an acute bout of lower body resistance training. Mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS) and cognitive function (Serial Subtraction Test, SST) were measured prior to, 5 minutes after, and 60 minutes after exercise. Venous blood samples were collected prior to, and 5, 15, 25, 40 and 60 minutes after exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma cortisol and testosterone. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results
PS supplementation significantly reduced the time needed for a correct calculation on the SST by 20% (reduced by 1.27 s per calculation; PL: 6.4 s, PS: 5.13 s; p = 0.001), and reduced the total amount of errors by 39% (PL: 1.28 + .69, PS: .78 + .27, p = 0.53), and increased the amount of correct calculations by 13% (PL: 22.1 + 2.24, PS: 24.9 + 1.52, p = 0.07) prior to or in response to exercise compared to PL. Following exercise, there was no difference in SST scores between PS and PL. There were no significant changes in regards to mood or endocrine response to exercise as a result of PS supplementation.
Conclusion
PS supplementation significantly increased cognitive function prior to exercise. Improved cognitive function could benefit athletes and non-athletes alike. PS did not appear to affect mood or endocrine response prior to or following resistance exercise.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1550-2783-8-16) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1550-2783-8-16) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Chemi Nutra, 4463 White Bear Pkwy, Suite 105, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, USA, for assistance with funding of this project and publication of this manuscript. This study was partially funded by a Research Enhancement Grant from West Texas A&M University.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
AP was the primary author and carried out data collection, analysis of blood samples, and statistical analysis. JG and AT helped collect data. AB assisted with statistical analysis. JL and MB assisted with analysis of POMS and SST data. MG and RK assisted with manuscript preparation. MB, JO, SS, and CR assisted with analysis of blood samples. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
