Marathoner Runner Stress Study, 2007
Presentation: American College of Nutrition Annual Meeting, Sept 2007.
Summary:
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, marathon runners taking Wellmune WGP® reported significant physical and psychological health benefits.
The physical health results demonstrated a significant decrease in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms at two and four weeks for subjects taking 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily. Sixty-eight percent of runners in the placebo group reported URTI symptoms at 2 weeks compared with only 32% for the group taking Wellmune WGP. At four weeks, 24% of the placebo group reported URTI symptoms compared with 8% of the Wellmune WGP group.
When asked how the supplement regimen was affecting their overall health, participants consuming 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily reported 38% higher scores compared with the placebo group. In addition, the Wellmune subjects reported significantly better scores on a variety of mood states, including a:
- 22% increase in vigor**
- 48% reduction in fatigue
- 38% reduction in tension
- 38% reduction in stress-related confusion
**500 mgs of Wellmune WGP
Study Design:
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 75 marathon runners (35 men, 40 women) ages 18-53 (mean age 36 years) who were recruited from the 2007 Carlsbad Marathon in California. During the four-week period following the marathon, subjects consumed a placebo or Wellmune WGP, a natural carbohydrate that activates key immune cells to more quickly recognize and kill foreign challenges.
The study measured the psychological states of the participants using a Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The POMS profile method is a validated psychometric test that measures six primary moods states (vigor, fatigue, tension, confusion, depression and anger). The POMS profile has been used in more than 2,900 health studies.