The effect of a decaffeinated green tea extract formula on fat oxidation, body composition and exercise performance
Justin D Roberts Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015) 12:1
Background: The cardio-metabolic and antioxidant health benefits of caffeinated green tea (GT) relate to its
catechin polyphenol content. Less is known about decaffeinated extracts, particularly in combination with exercise.
The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether a decaffeinated green tea extract (dGTE) positively
influenced fat oxidation, body composition and exercise performance in recreationally active participants.
Methods: Fourteen, recreationally active males participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design
intervention (mean ± SE; age = 21.4 ± 0.3 yrs; weight = 76.37 ± 1.73 kg; body fat = 16.84 ± 0.97%, peak oxygen
consumption [VO_ 2peak] = 3.00 ± 0.10 L·min−1 ). Participants were randomly assigned capsulated dGTE (571 mg·d−1
;n = 7) or placebo (PL; n = 7) for 4 weeks. Following body composition and resting cardiovascular measures, participants
cycled for 1 hour at 50% VO_ 2peak, followed by a 40 minute performance trial at week 0, 2 and 4. Fat and carbohydrate
oxidation was assessed via indirect calorimetry. Pre-post exercise blood samples were collected for determination of
total fatty acids (TFA). Distance covered (km) and average power output (W) were assessed as exercise performance
criteria.
Results: Total fat oxidation rates increased by 24.9% from 0.241 ± 0.025 to 0.301 ± 0.009 g·min−1 with dGTE (P = 0.05;
ηp2 = 0.45) by week 4, whereas substrate utilisation was unaltered with PL. Body fat significantly decreased with dGTE
by 1.63 ± 0.16% in contrast to PL over the intervention period (P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.84). No significant changes for FFA or
blood pressure between groups were observed. dGTE resulted in a 10.9% improvement in performance distance
covered from 20.23 ± 0.54 km to 22.43 ± 0.40 km by week 4 (P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.85).
Conclusions: A 4 week dGTE intervention favourably enhanced substrate utilisation and subsequent performance
indices, but did not alter TFA concentrations in comparison to PL. The results support the use of catechin polyphenols
from dGTE in combination with exercise training in recreationally active volunteers.