Common Ingredient Profiles of Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplements

Abstract

Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements are a popular class of dietary supplements which are purported to improve exercise performance. However, the composition of these products varies substantially between formulations, thus making comparisons challenging. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify a common ingredient profile of top-selling pre-workout supplements and to compare ingredient dosages to established efficacious values. The top 100 commercially available pre-workout products were analyzed for listed ingredients and amounts, if available, from the supplement facts panel. The mean ± SD number of ingredients per supplement (n = 100) was 18.4 ± 9.7 with 8.1 ± 9.9 of these ingredients included in a proprietary blend at undisclosed quantities. Relative prevalence and average amounts of the top ingredients amounted to: Beta-alanine (87%; 2.0 ± 0.8 g), Caffeine (86%; 254.0 ± 79.5 mg), Citrulline (71%; 4.0 ± 2.5 g), Tyrosine (63%; 348.0 ± 305.7 mg), Taurine (51%; 1.3 ± 0.6 g), and Creatine (49%; 2.1 ± 1.0 g). Nearly half (44.3%) of all ingredients were included as part of a proprietary blend with undisclosed amounts of each ingredient. The average amount of beta-alanine per serving size was below the recommended efficacious dose. The average caffeine content was near the low end for an effective relative dose for a 70 kg individual (3–6 mg·kg−1 of bodyweight).

Effects of One Versus Two Doses of a Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement on Metabolic Factors and Perceived Exertion during Moderate-Intensity Running in Females

“…Pre-workout supplementation is a nutritional strategy that involves consuming a mixture of bioactive compounds and dietary ingredients prior to a bout of exercise for ergogenic purposes. For example, pre-workout supplements often contain beta-alanine, caffeine, citrulline, tyrosine, taurine, creatine, arginine, and carnitine as well as numerous vitamins and minerals [1]. Thus, the purported effects of pre-workout supplements generally consist of elevated metabolic rate, increased measures of anaerobic and aerobic performance, and improvements in body composition [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Acute Effects Of A Multi-ingredient Pre-workout Supplement On 5-km Running Performance In Recreationally-trained Athletes

“…International Journal of Exercise Science http://www.intjexersci.com 1046 label (26). The most common ingredients in pre-workout supplements include beta-alanine, caffeine, tyrosine, creatine, and arginine (26).…”

“…International Journal of Exercise Science http://www.intjexersci.com 1046 label (26). The most common ingredients in pre-workout supplements include beta-alanine, caffeine, tyrosine, creatine, and arginine (26). Individually, many of these ingredients have been shown (1,15,44) to provide diverse ergogenic effects on performance and the inclusion of additional molecules (e.g.…”

“…(25). Although there are limited data regarding the effectiveness of pre-workout supplements on aerobic exercise performance, it is possible that supplementation would be beneficial based on their typical ingredient profile (26). For example, Walsh et al (47) examined the influence of a caffeine-based pre-workout supplement on time to exhaustion and subjective feelings during constant-intensity treadmill running.…”

“…Walsh et al (47) proposed the inclusion of these additional ingredients may enhance the stimulatory effect of caffeine and provide synergistic benefits. Given that a recent study (26) has illustrated the majority of pre-workout supplements contain ingredients at quantities lower than the demonstrated effective dose, the potential for synergistic mechanisms provide a plausible explanation for ergogenic findings. Caffeine, betaalanine, and arginine and other ingredients (tyrosine, L-carnitine, green coffee bean extract, capsicum, Mucuna pruriens, and Coleus forskohlii) that are combined in a popular pre-workout supplement (Cellucor, Bryan, TX) also have purported physiological effects related to International Journal of Exercise Science http://www.intjexersci.com 1047 metabolism including increased energy expenditure, lipolysis, and the transportation and utilization of fatty acids.…”