Carbery Group, is showcasing its recently launched hydrolysed whey protein (WPH), Optipep 4Power, at the FI Europe Connect virtual exhibition taking place from 23 November to 4 December. A clinical study found the protein taken pre-workout enabled participants to generate more power for longer, compared with standard whey protein concentrate. It’s been developed to support nutritional strategies for high-intensity interval training.
The company’s R&D team is continually developing whey protein hydrolysate ingredients under the Optipep range and used advanced mass spectrometry to analyse peptides in their latest ingredient. Data interpretation with bioinformatics enabled them to identify any possible bioactivity within the peptide sequences using predictor algorithms. Consequently, the company claims, they were able to identify the protein with the best possibility of having an impact on performance. Carbery validated the potential benefits of the ingredient with customers and undertook a clinical trial.
The clinical study set out to investigate if supplementation of protein in low carbohydrate conditions ahead of HIIT workouts induces favourable muscle metabolic and exercise performance adaptations. The study design was developed to address three specific objectives, which were to identify mitochondrial changes in the acute and chronic phases; determine specific mechanisms underpinning adaptations (metabolic and performance) and establish optimal nutritional strategies to enhance outcomes from HIIT.
The study found compared with whey protein concentrate, a 4.3% greater training-induced increase in Wingate mean power output was observed with participants who had consumed Optipep 4Power prior to exercise, indicating a greater capacity for power generation during maximal intensity sprint exercise. There was also a 6.1% improvement in fatigue index, indicating a greater capacity for sustaining high intensity exercise performance.
Sarah O’Neill, Marketing Manager at Carbery, commented: “We’re thrilled to be participating in the virtual format of FI Europe Connect and are looking forward to interacting with attendees to share more information about Optipep 4Power and the clinical study supporting it. Using our cutting-edge technical expertise, we have been able to identify the optimal WPH and validate its potential positive impact on performance outcomes, and have shown that Optipep 4Power helps athletes produce and sustain more power compared to whey protein concentrate. Our experts will be on hand to talk to brands providing targeted nutritional solutions to consumers participating in HIIT sports (such as CrossFit, Field Sports and Combat Sports) about formulation support for what we believe is a game-changing product.”