The Acute Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement on High Intensity Resistance Exercise

The consumption of Pre-workout supplements has become prominent in the realm of resistance training each containing a unique blend of ingredients that varies from each supplement. The purpose of this study was to determine if an ATP containing multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement (MIPS) has an acute effect on total repetitions completed and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on high intensity resistance training exercises. METHODS: 15 college-aged recreationally resistance trained males and females were recruited to compete this study. All participants completed three testing sessions separated by 48 hours and were provided the placebo (PLA) and the MIPS in a randomized order. Day 1, consisted of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing for back squat (BS), followed by bench press (BP). Day 2, subjects were randomly assigned supplement (MIPS) or placebo (PLA). After waiting 25 minutes, subjects began the warmup protocol consisting of 5 minutes of cycling on a cycle ergometer followed by a dynamic warmup. Weight was added incrementally to the bar, until reaching 75% of their 1RM BS. Subjects completed 3 sets of 10 repetitions followed by a set-to-failure or as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP) at 75% of 1RM, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed. A rest period of 3-5 minutes was allowed between sets. The same protocol was used to assess BP after BS each testing day. Day 3 was identical to Day 2, consuming the opposite condition (MIPS or PLA) from Day 2. All data were assessed using a trial×set repeated measures ANOVA with Boneferroni adjusted post hoc tests. All data are presented as mean±SD. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant trialxset interaction (p<0.001) for repetitions completed during the back squat. Post hoc tests revealed significantly more repetitions completed on set 4 of back squat (p=0.001) when consuming MIPS compared to PLA. Total repetitions completed during the back squat were significantly greater (p=0.002) during the ii MIPS trial. For bench press, a trend for a trial x set interaction (p=0.094) was observe for repetitions completed per set. However, no significant difference (p=0.703) was noted for total repetitions completed for bench press. A significant main effect of trial (p=0.041) was noted for RPE during back squat, with lower RPEs reported during MIPS (8.1±1.1) when compared to PLA (8.6±0.8). Also, significant main effects of set were noted for back squat (p<0.001) and bench press (p<0.001) with significantly greater values reported for each subsequent set CONCLUSION: A single dose of this MIPS increased the total number of back squat repetitions completed while also decreasing RPE.