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Appalachian State teams up with Gatorade in cycling study |
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Thursday, 01 February 2007 |
by MALLORI MORRIS
Intern News Reporter
Appalachian State University and the Boone community will have another opportunity this spring to participate in a study centered around one of the most inviting outdoor activities in the High Country: cycling.
 Active Image | Jonathan Williams | The Appalachian
Jesse D. Pipes (r) judges his rate of perceived exertion in the beta glucan study. Zea Palmer (l), a graduate exercise science student, helps with the study. The research is organized by Dr. David Nieman, an exercise science professor, with support from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
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“We
are studying the influence of beta glucan on infection risk and immune
function in cyclists. Last year we looked at quercetin,” Dr. David C.
Nieman, a health, leisure and exercise science professor and primary
investigator of the study, said.
Nieman said beta glucan, a molecule from soluble dietary fiber, has the
potential to stimulate immunity and decrease infection risk.
This will be the first beta glucan study conducted on human athletes.
Appalachian researchers are working with the Gatorade Sports Science
Institute to determine whether beta glucan can eliminate or decrease
the risk of immune dysfunction and infection when exposed to prolong
and intense exertion, Nieman said.
Nieman said if data is favorable, Appalachian’s research could lead to a Gatorade drink with beta glucan in it.
“This is controlled situation in which we can truly find the effect of
beta glucan on innate immunity and how the immune response is affected
by the beta glucan and the cycling stress,” Dr. Chuck Dumke, a health,
leisure and exercise science professor and researcher in the study said.
Dumke said 10 cyclists will ride during testing cycles.
Sarah J. Gross, research manager and lab technician for the study, worked with this and last year’s study.
Part of Gross’ job is to recruit subjects, organize testing dates,
manage and help run the lab testing and work with graduate students to
collect data.
The study is similar to last year’s in that the subjects ride for three
days in a row for three hours each day on indoor CompuTrainers in the
lab on their own road bikes, Gross said.
Gross said this year there will only be four blood draws and no muscle biopsy tests.
Subjects were recruited through cycling clubs, bike shop online forums and word of mouth, Gross said.
“It is hoped that the people who get recruited are fit enough to get
through three intense days in the lab of three hours of riding. For the
most part, I have to take their word for it when I’m signing them up,”
Gross said.
Cyclists who complete the study will receive $500 for participation.
Nieman said risks are minimal for participants of this study.
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