NAPIER UNIVERSITY
Participants’ Information Sheet
My name is Elisa Couto Gomes and I am a PhD student from the School of Life Sciences at Napier University in Edinburgh. As part of my research degree in Sports Science and Biomedicine I am conducting a research entitled: Effect of antioxidant supplementation on athletes’ performance in an 8 Km time trial run in a hot, humid and ozone-polluted environment.
The aims of this research are to investigate the effect of ozone, heat and humidity on the performance, lung function and immunological system of male athletes that have received supplementation of antioxidants (Vitamin C and Vitamin E). Various aspects of both lung function and the immune system will be investigated. This is expected to provide a better understanding of how these antioxidants can affect athletes’ performance and health during training and outdoors competitions in adverse conditions. Based on the project data it will thus be possible to suggest ways of minimizing and/or overcoming the possible risks and discomforts of exercising in a polluted, hot and humid environment.
I am looking for volunteers to participate in the project. The volunteers should be male healthy runners, non-smokers, between 18 and 35 years old, and have a minimum VO2 max of 60 mlO2/kg/min - this will be assessed during a VO2 max test on your familiarisation trial. The volunteers must not be ingesting any vitamin supplementation.
If you agree to participate in the study, and fulfil the above requirements you will be asked to come to the lab – Merchiston Campus, Napier University - in 3 different occasions: for a familiarization protocol and 2 experimental trials. The exercise performed in the 2 trials will be an 8 km run on a treadmill in an environmental chamber. This chamber is a room where the temperature, humidity and ozone concentration will be controlled and maintained the same on both occasions. The temperature will be set to 31°C, the humidity will be 70% and ozone concentration of 0.1 ppm.
Between the 1st and the 2nd experimental trial you will go through a 2-week supplementation period where you will take daily either a placebo or an antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C and E. After the 2nd trial you will once again start a 2-week supplementation period where you will take daily either a placebo or the antioxidant mixture, whichever one you had not taken prior. You and the researcher will not be aware of what you will be ingesting in order not to affect the results.
Prior to each exposure, you will complete a specific medical history questionnaire and a symptom questionnaire. In addition, you will perform a lung function test both pre and post exposures. This test is simple and it requires you to exhale as hard as possible into a device called spirometer. Moreover, before and after each exposure a blood sample (6 ml) will be collected, nasal lavage and saliva to assess your immunological system. The nasal lavage is a relatively noninvasive procedure commonly applied in studies that want to analyze human respiratory tract lining fluids. All samples will be withdrawn by an investigator trained and experienced in these procedures. These variables will also be measure 6h after the exercise. You will be able to go through the experimental procedures during the first visit (familiarization trial).
All data will be anonymised. Your name will be replaced with a participant number, and it will not be possible for you to be identified in any reporting of the data gathered. All data collected will be kept in a secure place to which only the researchers have access. These will be kept till the end of the examination process then disposed of immediately. However, we will be pleased to discuss the results with you.
The risks involved in this study are minimal, as the protocols will be well-controlled, with the investigator standing alongside the participant throughout the tests. Furthermore, prior to the study you will have completed a Health Questionnaire to assess your suitability for the study. This study does involve strenuous exercise, but for participants who partake in regular physical activity the sensations experienced will not be unfamiliar. Moreover the investigator and supervisor involved in this research have a first aid course certificate.
From the measurements made we will be able to give you information regarding your cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness. We will also give you information regarding your immune status and advice about maintaining immune function during periods of heavy training and competition in different environmental conditions.
You are free to withdraw from the study at any time.
If you have any further questions please contact any of the following investigators:
Elisa Couto Gomes: phone: 01314552365
Prof. Vicki Stone:
Dr. Geraint Florida-James: