Oral Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) Administration Increases Postexercise ATP Levels, Muscle Excitability, and Athletic Performance Following a Repeated Sprint Bout

Abstract

Objective: Oral adenosine-5 0 -triphosphate (ATP) administration has failed to increase plasma ATP levels; however, chronic supplementation with ATP has shown to increase power, strength, lean body mass, and blood flow in trained athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ATP supplementation on postexercise ATP levels and on muscle activation and excitability and power following a repeated sprint bout. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design, 42 healthy male individuals were given either 400 mg of ATP as disodium salt or placebo for 2 weeks prior to an exercise bout. During the exercise bout, muscle activation and excitability (ME, ratio of power output to muscle activation) and Wingate test peak power were measured during all sprints. ATP and metabolites were measured at baseline, after supplementation, and immediately following exercise. Results: Oral ATP supplementation prevented a drop in ATP, adenosine-5 0 -diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine-5 0 -monophosphate (AMP) levels postexercise (p < 0.05). No group by time interaction was observed for muscle activation. Following the supplementation period, muscle excitability significantly decreased in later bouts 8, 9, and 10 in the placebo group (¡30.5, ¡28.3, and ¡27.9%, respectively; p < 0.02), whereas ATP supplementation prevented the decline in later bouts. ATP significantly increased Wingate peak power in later bouts compared to baseline (bout 8: C18.3%, bout 10: C16.3%). Conclusions: Oral ATP administration prevents exercise-induced declines in ATP and its metabolite and enhances peak power and muscular excitability, which may be beneficial for sports requiring repeated high-intensity sprinting bouts.

ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations

“…While intravenous administration of ATP is bioavailable [ 240 ], several studies have shown that oral ATP is not systematically bioavailable [ 241 ]. However, chronic supplementation with ATP increases the capacity to synthesize ATP within the erythrocytes without increasing resting concentrations in the plasma, thereby minimizing exercise-induced drops in ATP levels [ 242 ]. Oral ATP supplementation has demonstrated initial ergogenic properties, after a single dose, improving total weight lifted and total number of repetitions [ 243 ].…”

“…Oral ATP supplementation has demonstrated initial ergogenic properties, after a single dose, improving total weight lifted and total number of repetitions [ 243 ]. ATP may increase blood flow to the exercising muscle [ 244 ] and may reduce fatigue and increase peak power output during later bouts of repeated bouts exercise [ 242 ]. ATP may also support greater recovery and lean mass maintenance under high volume training [ 245 ], however, this has only been reported in one previous study.…”

Cystic fibrosis improves COVID-19 survival and provides clues for treatment of SARS-CoV-2

“…Since deterioration of pulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal epithelia are characteristics of COVID-19, we now suggest implementing trials of ATP supplementation designed to prevent organ failure in these patients. We previously conducted studies administering high-dose oral ATP to athletes and advanced cancer patients resulting in improved athletic performance and cancer patient survival [ 4 , 24 , 35 , 39 ]. This approach is uncomplicated and easily applied in the setting of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals who are not yet in intensive care and has the potential to reduce rates of hospitalization and intubation.…”

Oral adenosine 5′-triphosphate supplementation improved hemodynamic and autonomic parameters after exercise in hypertensive women

“…The investigation about the influence of ATP supplementation on exercise performance is widely explored in the literature, demonstrating ergogenic effects ( Freitas et al, 2017 ; Purpura et al, 2017 ; Wilson et al, 2013 ). Recently, our group investigated the acute influences of ATP supplementation on performance during resistance exercise (4 sets until muscular failure with 80% of one-repetition maximum in squat exercise) and physiological response in trained men.…”

“…It has been investigated the influence of oral adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation on resistance exercise performance, demonstrating ergogenic effects ( Freitas et al, 2017 ; Purpura et al, 2017 ; Wilson et al, 2013 ). The great interest of ATP supplementation can be associated with physiological effects of extracellular ATP on skeletal muscle excitability and vascular tissue.…”