The effect of astaxanthin supplementation on performance and fat oxidation during a 40 km cycling time trial
Participants
n=12 recreationally trained male cyclists (VO2peak 56.5 ± 5.5 mL/kg/min, Wmax 346.8 ± 38.4 W)
Protocol
12 mg/day astaxanthin or appearance-matched placebo, 7 days (crossover, 14-day washout)
Test: 40 km TT on ergometer on day 7, with exercise metabolism measured throughout
Key Results
| Metric | Effect |
|---|---|
| 40 km TT time | -1.2 ± 1.7% (70.76 → 69.90 min, −51 ± 71 s, p=0.029, g=0.21) |
| Fat oxidation (km 39-40) | +0.09 ± 0.13 g/min (p=0.044, g=0.52) |
| RER (km 39-40) | −0.03 ± 0.04 (p=0.024, g=0.60) |
Findings
7 days of 12 mg astaxanthin → ergogenic effect on the 40 km TT and greater whole-body fat oxidation in the final 39-40 km. Effect small (g=0.21 for TT), but significant.
Practical Application
In twelve recreationally trained male cyclists (VO2peak 56.5 mL/kg/min), 12 mg/day astaxanthin for 7 days improved 40 km time-trial time by 1.2 ± 1.7% (70.76 → 69.90 min, p = 0.029, g = 0.21) versus an appearance-matched placebo in a randomised, double-blind crossover, with higher whole-body fat oxidation and lower RER between 39-40 km — a small single-study gain in trained amateurs, not an established ergogenic.
Not from this paper: another trial in the base (see Cross-references below) found no effect on time trial or fat oxidation in well-trained cyclists and triathletes, so the finding is contested.
Limitations
Small sample (n=12); recreationally trained, not elite; short course (7 days); crossover — possible carryover; abstract reports fat oxidation only for the 39-40 km window.
How this entry was checked and changed
Content correction 2026-09-27
Tier line said Tier 4-5 (Elite/International) -> the abstract describes recreationally trained cyclists (VO2peak 56.5 ± 5.5), i.e. Tier 2; the Applicability line already said "recreational".
Added the abstract's VO2peak / Wmax to Participants; "Contradicts REF-213" cross-reference now states what REF-213 actually found.
2026-09-28: added Practical Application from the abstract (Europe PMC PMID 32660833).