Scientifically Backed Pre-Workout Advanced Energy
NOW Sports® Pre-Workout Advanced Energy
Features betaine, creatine, beta-alanine, carnitine, arginine and caffeine to help you stay focused and energized so you can train harder and longer.*
Muscle Mass and Sprint Tests to Measure Power Output Study*
Placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group design. Randomized to either betaine (BET) group or placebo (PLA) group; 23 healthy, recreationally active college-aged females, average age 21 years old.
Results: The study found that taking betaine for two weeks helped improve muscle mass and made participants feel less tired during workouts. It also slightly boosted their performance during short bursts of intense exercise.*1
Resistance-Trained Men Exercise Performance Study*
Double-blind, crossover design with 21-day washout period between the two supplementation phases; 13 resistance-trained men who exercised regularly (3-5 times a week), around 23 years old.
Results: The study found that taking betaine for two weeks helped these resistance-trained men complete more repetitions during weightlifting, indicating slightly improved muscle endurance.* It also suggested that betaine might help muscles use oxygen better during exercise, possibly helping to reduce muscle fatigue.*2
Muscle Growth Signals Study*
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design; 12 resistance-trained men (age 18-20 years).
Results: This study suggests that betaine could help athletes recover better from workouts and promote muscle building by supporting growth-related hormones and reducing stress hormones during recovery.*3
Distanced Covered in 6-Minute Run Test Study*
Double-blind, randomized, cross-over; 12 male endurance athletes, average age 21 years old, trained in endurance sports with a minimum of two years of experience (weight 65-73 kg).
Results: The study found that taking β-alanine about an hour before running helped these athletes run a little farther during a short but intense test.* Both small and larger doses of β-alanine seemed to make a difference, but the higher dose didn’t show a big advantage, this means that β-alanine could be helpful for athletes looking to get a little extra out of their performance during tough workouts.*4
US Navy Seal Training Cognitive Performance Study*
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial; 68 U.S. Navy male SEAL trainees, an average of 23 years old, trainees undergoing “Hell Week” training, a period of intense physical, environmental, and psychological stress with sleep deprivation.
Results: This study showed that taking caffeine helped the SEAL trainees stay more alert and perform better on mental tasks during extreme stress and lack of sleep.* A dose of 200 mg worked well for keeping them awake and focused, without causing jitteriness or other negative effects.*5
Sprint Performance Study*
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover design; 32 healthy young non-athletes (17 males, 15 females) average around 22 years old.
Results: Taking caffeine helped participants run faster during short, intense sprints.* It made their muscles work harder but didn’t make them feel much more tired compared to when they didn’t take caffeine.*6
Caffeine Alertness and Mood Study*
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects repeated-measures design; 36 undergraduate students (16 males, 20 females) mean age 19 years, low caffeine consumers.
Results: The study found that taking caffeine helped improve focus and alertness, especially with moderate doses (200 mg).* However, very high doses (400 mg) might make it harder to quickly change focus.* Caffeine also made people feel more awake and energetic.*7
References:
- Waldman HS, Bryant AR, McAllister MJ. Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Markers of Metabolic Flexibility, Body Composition, and Anaerobic Performance in Active College-Age Females. J Diet Suppl. 2023;20(1):89-105.
- Trepanowski JF, Farney TM, McCarthy CG, Schilling BK, Craig SA, Bloomer RJ. The effects of chronic betaine supplementation on exercise performance, skeletal muscle oxygen saturation and associated biochemical parameters in resistance trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(12):3461-71.
- Apicella JM, Lee EC, Bailey BL, Saenz C, Anderson JM, Craig SAS, et al. Betaine supplementation enhances anabolic endocrine and Akt signaling in response to acute bouts of exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2013;113(3):793-802.
- Ojeda ÁH, Barahona-Fuentes G, Galdames Maliqueo S, Guzmán Solis M, Cabrera MMY, Jorquera-Aguilera C. Acute Supplementation with Beta-Alanine Improves Performance in Aerobic-Anaerobic Transition Zones in Endurance Athletes. Journal of the American Nutrition Association. 2023;42(2):187-94.
- Lieberman HR, Tharion WJ, Shukitt-Hale B, Speckman KL, Tulley R. Effects of caffeine, sleep loss, and stress on cognitive performance and mood during U.S. Navy SEAL training. Sea-Air-Land. Psychopharmacology. 2002;164(3):250-61.
- Belbis MD, Camic CL, Howell SM, Zhang S, Chomentowski PJ, 3rd. The Effects of Acute Caffeine Supplementation on Repeated-Sprint Ability in Healthy Young Non-Athletes. Int J Exerc Sci. 2022;15(2):846-60.
- Brunyé TT, Mahoney CR, Lieberman HR, Taylor HA. Caffeine modulates attention network function. Brain and Cognition. 2010;72(2):181-8.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
