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Timing of Broccoli Sprout Intake to Improve Exercise Performance

Sponsor: The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07461194

Registry updated: 2026-10-14

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Description

This study examines how the timing of intake of a broccoli sprout-based drink (a natural source of isothiocyanates, ITCs) affects physiological responses, recovery, and performance after a standardized endurance cycling session. Healthy, endurance-trained adults (18-64 years) will complete four laboratory visits at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH): one screening/physiology test visit and three intervention visits in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design. On intervention visits, participants will ingest either an active broccoli sprout drink (50 g sprouts) or a placebo drink based on alfalfa sprouts (50 g sprouts) according to randomization. The drink will be consumed either approximately 16 hours before exercise (the evening before) or approximately 3 hours before exercise (the morning of the test), enabling comparison of timing in relation to a standardized \~2-hour cycling protocol (individualized intensity) followed by a 10 km cycling time trial. Outcomes include measures of performance, heart rate, perceived exertion and recovery, blood glucose and lactate, and metabolic responses. Venous blood samples are collected at multiple time points before and after exercise and during the subsequent laboratory recovery period, and muscle biopsies are obtained at defined time points to assess muscle metabolism and recovery-related markers. Participants return \~24 hours after exercise for follow-up sampling after an overnight fast, including a glucose tolerance test

Interventions

Broccoli sprout drink (isothiocyanate-rich (Dietary supplement)
Active intervention is a drink prepared from broccoli sprouts (50 g per dose) as a natural source of glucosinolates/isothiocyanates (ITCs). Participants ingest the drink either \~16 hours before the exercise session (evening prior) or \~3 hours before the exercise session (test day morning), depending on randomized condition. The study compares the timing of ITC intake versus placebo, with identical procedures across conditions.
Placebo drink (Dietary supplement)
The placebo intervention is a drink prepared from alfalfa sprouts (50g per dose) as a placebo. Participants ingest the drink at both \~16 hours before the exercise session (evening prior) and \~3 hours before the exercise session (test day morning). The study compares the timing of ITC intake versus placebo, with identical procedures across conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy, endurance-trained adults aged 18-64 years. Regular endurance training (e.g., cycling/running) and ability to complete a standardized 2-hour high-intensity cycling session on an ergometer. Approved health declaration and screening assessment by study staff (including that ergometer testing can be performed safely). Willing and able to follow the study protocol (diet/fasting instructions, standardized training before visits, attendance at all four laboratory visits). No known allergy/hypersensitivity to ingredients in the broccoli sprout drink or placebo drink. Exclusion Criteria: Does not meet inclusion criteria at screening (e.g., abnormal health declaration or medical findings making intense endurance exercise or muscle biopsy inappropriate). Known allergy/hypersensitivity to ingredients in the intervention or placebo drink (broccoli/cruciferous vegetables or alfalfa) or other relevant food allergy. Ongoing illness, fever, or infection at any test occasion, or other acute medical event judged to affect safety or data quality. Ongoing treatment with medications/supplements judged to affect primary outcomes or increase risk (e.g., anti-inflammatory medication close to test days per study instructions). Pregnancy (if women are included) or breastfeeding. Inability to comply with the study protocol (e.g., failure to standardize diet/fasting, deviating training/alcohol intake despite instructions, or repeated missed visits). Participant withdraws consent or investigator judges continued participation to pose risk. \-

Conditions

Physical Performance Glucose Glycogen Metabolism Lactate Broccoli Sprout Isothiocyanate

Locations

Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences — Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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