Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo

A1. Methylliberine (DynamineTM) and theacrine (TeaCrine®) magnify indices of cognitive affect when combined with coffee B. Raub, K. Cesareo, M. Carney, C. Kerksick, J. Sandrock The Center for Applied Health Sciences, Canfield, OH, 44406, USA; School of Health Sciences, Lindenwood University, MO, 63301, USA Correspondence: B. Raub (BR@appliedhealthsciences.org) Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2020, 17(Suppl 2):A1.

Aside from a small increase in diastolic blood pressure at 180 min (+4.3 ± 5.1 mm Hg, p=0.04) in COF-D50, no other changes in systemic hemodynamics were noted between treatments. Conclusions These findings confirm that combining Dynamine™ and TeaCrine® with caffeinated coffee significantly magnifies the beneficial effects of coffee on mood, energy, motivation while potentially reducing fatigue and improving alertness and focus. This combination was also well tolerated and had no deleterious effects on systemic hemodynamics. Future research should corroborate these findings in a larger sample size and concurrently measure serum methylxanthine and methylurate concentrations. strength, fat-free mass (FFM), whole-body protein balance, and exercise performance during eight weeks of resistance training (RT). Methods Using a randomized, active-controlled, double-blind design, 35 recreationally active men (mean ± age, height, weight: 40.9 ± 7.6 y, 180.2 ± 6.1 cm, 95.8 ± 14.5 kg) were matched according to HOMA-IR and RT experience and then randomly allocated to one of three groups: active group (2 g Velositol® + 15 g whey, V15W), comparator group (15 g whey, 15W), or high-dose comparator group (30 g whey, 30W). Subjects consumed their supplement immediately following exercise on training days, and at the same time of day on non-training days. At 0, 4, and 8 weeks, we assessed body composition (4C via DEXA, Bod Pod, Bioimpedance), whole-body protein balance ( 15 N-alanine), and upper/lower body performance [1RM and repetitions to failure (RTF) on bench press and squat and vertical jump power]. Note: Biomarker safety and recovery data were also collected and reported separately as "Part II". Results All groups gained strength, increased FFM, and improved muscle size. Similarly, all groups increased squat RTF, but the increase for V15W (+25.3 reps) was statistically significant compared to 15W (+12.0 reps) and 30W (+13.9 reps), p=0.02. Similarly, at 4 weeks squat RTF were greater in V15W (+14.4) vs. 15W (+7.8), p=0.02. When performance data were normalized relative to body mass, vertical jump power increased more for V15W (+2.1 W/kg) than either 15W (+0.4 W/kg) or 30W (0.3 W/kg), p=0.03. Relative squat strength also improved more in V15W (+0.33 kg) vs. 30W (+0.22 kg), p=0.05. Vertical jump height increased more in V15W (+8.7 cm) vs. 15W (+1.6 cm) and 30W (+0.9 cm), p=0.04. In the subset (N=15) of men who completed 15 N-alanine ingestion, net protein balance was significantly greater in V15W compared to 15W and 30W at 4 weeks (p<0.05), but this effect was no longer statistically significant at 8 weeks (p=0.51).

Conclusions
Collectively, these findings indicate V15W increases squat strength, RTF, vertical power, and vertical jump height perhaps by optimizing early adaptations in whole-body protein balance. Background Previously (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28194093) we reported that the addition of a patented complex of chromium picolinate, chromium histidinate and amylopectin (Velositol®) to a 6 g dose of whey protein increased muscle protein synthesis by 48% vs. a 24% increase from the same dose of protein alone. This study aimed to extend these findings by examining changes in standard hematologic and biochemical biomarkers of safety as well as subjective markers of recovery during eight weeks of resistance training. Methods Using a randomized, active-controlled, double-blind design, 35 recreationally active men (mean ± age, height, weight: 40.9 ± 7.6 y, 180.2 ± 6.1 cm, 95.8 ± 14.5 kg) were matched according to HOMA-IR [i.e. (fasting glucose x fasting insulin)/405] and resistance-training experience and then randomly allocated to one of three groups: an active group (2 g Velositol® + 15 g whey protein, V15W), a comparator group (15 g of whey protein, 15W), or a high-dose comparator group (30 g of whey protein, 30W). Subjects consumed their respective supplement immediately following resistance exercise on training days, and at the same time of day on non-training days. At 0, 4, and 8 weeks of training, measurements of anchored VAS scales for subjective perception of perceived recovery, sleep quality, energy, willingness to train, and muscle soreness were obtained as well as standard hemodynamic, hematologic, and biochemical biomarkers of safety (CBC, lipid panel, fasting insulin and comprehensive metabolic panel).

Results
Aside from a statistically significant, yet stochastic interaction for creatinine (p=0.02), all values for hepato-renal function (AST, ALT, BUN, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase), fasting blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL) whole blood cell counts (hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, differential white cell counts) remained within normal clinical limits, and no between-group differences over time were noted. HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, perceived recovery, and all VAS indices (energy, willingness to exercise, muscle soreness, sleep quality) were also not different between groups. Interestingly, a notable decrease in diastolic BP was noted in V15W (-5.1 mm Hg); this effect was statistically significant compared to the other two groups (p=0.002). Systolic BP also decreased by 5.0 mm Hg in V15W, and although this was a statistically significant within-group effect (p=0.03), the interaction was not significant (p=0.23).

Conclusions
Within the confines of this study design, these findings indicate V15W plus eight weeks of RT promotes beneficial decreases in diastolic BP, and is well tolerated relative to standard hematologic and biochemical biomarkers of safety.

Background
Exercise modalities that promote cardiorespiratory endurance while engaging different muscle groups have the potential to extend the potential beneficial impacts of physical activity. There is a paucity of research examining the metabolic responses of upper body cycling (UP) versus lower body cycling (LO) performed at normalized intensities based on the gas exchange threshold (GET). The purpose of this study was to examine the respiratory and metabolic responses to isocaloric sessions of UP and LO at moderate and heavy exercise intensities.

Material and Methods
Eight participants (23.1±2.5 years old; 25.1±3.9 kg/m 2 ) completed pretesting screening, a familiarization session, and six exercise testing visits. The first two exercise visits consisted of a randomized UP and LO graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional fatigue, in order to determine V O 2peak and GET. For the remaining four exercise visits, participants completed UP or LO at moderate or heavy exercise intensities. Moderate intensity was calculated as 80% percent of GET [1], and heavy intensity was defined as the work-rate equivalent to 30% of the difference between GET and V O 2peak [2]. Tests were terminated once participants reached an estimated caloric expenditure of 100 kcal, and the duration of trial was recorded. Respiratory and metabolic variables were evaluated during exercise testing via gas-exchange analysis. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA [mode(UP vs LO) x intensity (heavy vs. moderate)] with Holm post-hoc tests was used to evaluate the dependent variables.

Results
Results are listed in Table 1. A significant interaction (p<0.05) between intensity and mode was shown for tidal volume (VT), inspiratory volume (IV), and VCO 2 . LO/Heavy had significantly higher VT, IV, and VCO 2 compared to UP/Heavy, but there was no difference between LO/moderate and UP/Moderate. RER was higher for LO compared to UP. For VO 2 and METS, LO was higher than UP and heavy intensity was higher than moderate intensity. Duration of trials was higher for UP and for moderate trials. Breathing rate (Rf) was significantly different between heavy and moderate intensities, but not between modes.

Conclusions
While some metabolic and respiratory differences exist between upper and lower body cycling at heavy exercise intensities, these differences are less pronounced at a moderate exercise intensity. For other variables, such as RER, lower body cycling produced greater responses regardless of exercise intensity. Therefore, exercise modality may also play an important role in substrate oxidation.

Background
Nutrition is key for athletic performance and recovery, making it an important factor for the longevity of an athlete's career, as well as the success of a professional sports team. Studies have shown that nutrition education can positively impact both nutrition knowledge and nutrition-related behavior change. However, nutrition professionals are not always utilized in professional sports organizations.

Materials and Methods
Based on Grounded Theory, a nutrition education intervention was proposed and implemented to investigate this dichotomy. A single cohort, mixed methods population-based study was designed around the specific needs of a Major League Rugby organization's athletes. The four-week intervention focused on providing nutrition education and behavior change strategies to the participants, who volunteered to participate in the study. Using triangulation research methods, a needs assessment was first conducted to assess participants' perceptions of nutrition, behaviors, and needs, to be utilized in the development of a nutrition education intervention. Then, quantitative data was collected through the implementation of pre-and post-intervention surveys, in order to evaluate the effects of the intervention in the key areas of nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy in nutrition-related skills, and nutrition-related behavior. Quantitative data was coded by theme and analyzed.

Results
Results were based on the inclusion of 11 matching pre-and post-intervention surveys, from a pool of 19 study participants, decreased by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed a small improvement in mean score of nutrition knowledge from 3 to 3.18 out of 5 total points, but this increase was not found to be statistically significant. Self-efficacy by means of confidence in six categories of nutrition-related skills were found to have increased from the pre-to the post-intervention surveys, but were also not found to be statistically significant differences (Table 1). And finally, a weak positive correlation was found between the number of intervention sessions attended and nutrition knowledge score (r = 0.123), but this correlation was not found to be statistically significant. However, upon completion of the intervention, 63.64% of participants self-reported improvement in both nutrition knowledge and behavior, while 81.82% of participants reported adoption of a new nutrition-related behavior.

Conclusions
Major findings of this study involve the subjective success of nutrition education intervention with athletes. These findings may be applied to other athletic populations, while adding to the available literature for future research on sports nutrition education intervention.

Background
The measurement of body composition is of interest to individuals seeking to optimize their physiques. Various methods have been used to assess body composition changes following an exercise or diet intervention. However, more research is needed with respect to comparing different body composition assessment methods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the differences in body fat % changes between bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and A-mode ultrasound measures in resistance-trained individuals undergoing short-term calorie restriction. Materials and Methods 20 resistance-trained males (n=5) and females (n=15) participated in this study (age: 25.2 ± 7.8 years; height: 167.2 ± 7.9 cm; body mass: 66.6 ± 11.2 kgs). Following a period of baseline caloric tracking, subjects were prescribed a two-week energy-restricted diet (resulting in an approximate 37.5% caloric deficit). Subjects were instructed to ingest 2.2g of protein/kg bodyweight and continue their regular resistance training and aerobic training routine under the supervision of a staff member. Body composition was assessed pre and postintervention utilizing a BIA and an A-mode ultrasound device. The BIA device used was the InBody® 570 Body Composition Analyzer (Biospace, Inc. Seoul, Korea) and the A-mode ultrasound device used was the BodyMetrix™ Professional A-mode ultrasound (IntelaMetrix, Livermore, CA). Data were analyzed using a dependent samples ttest.

Results
No significant differences were observed for the detected changes in body fat percentage between the BIA and A-mode ultrasound devices (p = 0.710). The decrease in body fat percentage after a 2-week caloric deficit was 1.0 ± 0.9% and 1.1 ± 1.0% for the BIA device and A-mode ultrasound, respectively.

Conclusions
In resistance-trained individuals, subjects experienced a similar decrease in body fat percentage following a 2-week calorie deficit, whether measured utilizing BIA or A-mode ultrasound technology. Therefore, the current findings indicate that both body composition methods provide equivalent changes in body fat % over time.

Background
One of the negative consequences of prolonged caloric restriction is a suppression of resting metabolic rate (RMR), making future fat loss more difficult. Further, some evidence suggests that the suppression of RMR is associated with the severity of the caloric deficit (the greater the caloric deficit the greater the reduction in RMR). Strategies employed to prevent the suppression of RMR during a caloric deficit include resistance exercise and a high protein diet. Currently, there is a lack of research investigating the prevalence of metabolic slowing in resistance-training individuals undergoing a short-term, intensive caloric restricted diet that is high in protein. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term intense caloric restriction on resting metabolic rate in resistancetrained males and females eating a relatively high protein diet. Materials and Methods 20 resistance-trained males (n=5) and females (n=15) participated in this study (age: 25.2 ± 7.8 years; height: 167.2 ± 7.9 cm; body mass: 66.6 ± 11.2 kgs). Following a period of baseline caloric tracking, subjects were prescribed 2 weeks of energy restriction resulting in an approximate 37.5% decrease in caloric intake. Subjects were instructed to ingest 2.2 g protein/kg body weight and continue their habitual resistance training routine while dieting. RMR was assessed pre and post-intervention using a Parvo Medics' TrueOne® 2400 device (ParvoMedics, Sandy, UT). Data were analyzed using a dependent samples t-test.

Results
There was a significant decrease in RMR during the 2-week caloric deficit (p = 0.001). Specifically, RMR decreased from 1,602 ± 211 to 1,508 ± 241 kcals (a decrease of approximately 5.9% during the study intervention).

Conclusions
In resistance-trained males and females, a two-week caloric reduction of approximately 37.5% resulted in a significant decline in resting metabolic rate. High protein intake and resistance training were not able to mitigate this decline. As such, to maintain resting metabolic rate during caloric restriction, a short-term intense caloric reduction is not recommended.

A8.
The Subjects were randomized to either continuous dieting (CON; n=18) or intermittent dieting (INT; n=20). Participants in CON were prescribed 6 weeks of a continuous 25% reduction in energy intake. Participants in INT were prescribed 1 week of energy intake at maintenance levels after every 2 weeks of 25% energy restriction (8 weeks total). Subjects were instructed to ingest 1.8 g protein/kg bodyweight and took part in 3 weekly supervised resistance training sessions. At baseline (PRE) and postintervention (POST), eating behavior was measured via a 51-item three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) which measures an individual's level of hunger, disinhibition (the loss of control in food intake), and dietary restraint (degree of cognitive control) in daily food intake. Data were analyzed using a series of linear mixed models with random intercepts.

Results
Across all subjects, level of dietary restraint did not change from PRE to POST (p = 0.39), nor did level of hunger (p = 0.66). While there were no differences between groups for change over time in these variables (p = 0.20 and p = 0.21, respectively), there was a significant group-by-time interaction for disinhibition (p = 0.03). While no pairwise comparisons were significantly different, a divergent pattern was observed, with mean values for disinhibition generally increasing from PRE to POST in CON (5.17±2.07 to 5.83±1.79; p=0.52) but decreasing from PRE to POST in INT (6.85±3.76 to 6.00±3.58; p=0.26).

Conclusions
Though the use of mIER did not appear to affect changes in hunger or dietary restraint over 6 weeks of energy restriction, it may reduce the impact of prolonged energy restriction on measures of disinhibition, potentially helping to promote increased long-term dietary adherence.

Background
Chronic supplementation with ashwagandha (Withania somnifera root) reduces feelings of stress, improves mood and cognitive function. The potential benefits of acute ashwagandha supplementation on sustained attention, cognitive flexibility, and/or working memory are currently unknown. The purpose of this double-blind, placebocontrolled, crossover study was to examine the effect of acute ingestion of ashwagandha extract on executive function over time.
Materials and Methods 13 healthy male and female subjects (24±5 years, 170.0±11.8 cm, 72.9±19.3 kg, 24.8±3.7 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to consume 400mg of a proprietary ashwagandha extract (NooGandha®, Specnova Inc., FL) or placebo (PLA). Subjects completed four cognitive function tests (go no-go test, psychomotor vigilance task test, the Berg-Washington card sorting task, and the Sternberg task test), and then ingested a capsule of ashwagandha extract or PLA with 8 ounces of water. Participants repeated cognitive function tests 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours after ingestion of the supplement. After 7 days participants then repeated the experiment while consuming the alternative treatments. Data were analyzed by a General Linear Model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures using body weight as a covariate.

Results
Acute supplementation with 400mg ashwagandha extract significantly increased short-term/working memory in one measure of the Sternberg test (letter length 6, present reaction time after 3 and 6 hours). As the list length increases, probe judgments become less accurate and slower, indicating increases in short-term memory and working memory demands. Ashwagandha resulted in sustained attention (maintained reaction times, prevention of mental fatigue) in the Vigilance Task Test, measuring a person's ability to remain heedfully vigilant. In contrast, placebo showed significantly reduced reactions times (task 20, hour 6; overall, hour 3). Ashwagandha increased the ability to both recognize and 'shift' to a new rule (BCST) compared to baseline, however, change scores showed no beneficial effects, indicating that the difference in the pre-post analysis are due to differences in baseline values and not due to supplementation. Ashwagandha supplementation resulted in faster response times to correctly respond compared to PLA (shows less metal fatigue) in the go/no-go test. However, ashwagandha didn't seem to alter accuracy relative to the placebo condition, as both treatments decreased the percentage of correct answers.

Conclusions
Acute supplementation with 400mg ashwagandha extract resulted in sustained attention and increased short-term/working memory.

A11.
No difference between pre-sleep plant or dairy-based protein consumption on peak muscle torque or soreness following morning eccentric exercise in middle-aged men Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-sleep consumption of plant-based compared to dairy-based protein on muscle recovery after morning eccentric exercise. We hypothesized that the combination of a rice and pea protein consumed pre-sleep would improve muscle recovery to the same degree as a dairy-based protein and both sources would outperform placebo.

Material and Methods
In a randomized (stratified by age and body fat percent), doubleblind, placebo-controlled design, eighteen middle-aged (age, 40-64 y), recreationally active, men performed an eccentric training protocol (ECC) in the morning. Bilateral knee extension and flexion (ECC) were completed (5 x 15 repetitions) to induce muscle damage. Participants were randomized to consume 40g of either: whey protein isolate (WI, n=6), rice and pea combination (RP, n=6), or a flavor matched, non-caloric placebo (PL, n=6) before sleep, following the morning training session. Meals were provided (15% PRO, 55% CHO, 30% Fat) for five days (two days pre-ECC, the day of ECC, and the following two days during follow up testing) to standardize nutrition. WI, RP, or PL was consumed (40g), 30-minutes pre-sleep. Isometric peak torque (ISOMflex and ISOMext) and subjective muscle soreness were measured using visual analog scales (VAS) at pre-ECC, +24, +48 and +72 hours post-ECC. Data were analyzed with SPSS v25. Outcome variables were measured using mixed RMANOVA and tukey post hoc analysis to determine group differences. All main effects are reported as (F, df treatment , df error ) = F statistic, p-value, partial eta squared (ηp 2 ). Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results
There were no significant differences between groups at pre-ECC for any marker.

Conclusion
These data suggest that, regardless of the source, pre-sleep protein for 72h did not improve muscle soreness or peak muscle torque following from a morning bout of damaging exercise in middle-aged men.

Background
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if creatine affected measures of GI distress.

Methods
Twenty-three healthy recreationally active subjects (age: 22±7 years, height: 177±6 centimeters) were randomly assigned to a 4-week treatment that consisted of: 5 grams of creatine (generic), 5 grams of creatine (CreaBev®), and control (no creatine). GI symptoms were measured via the SODA assessment (severity of dyspepsia assessment). The "SODA" questionnaire measures in a validated format, perceived gastric upset, or gastric discomfort as well as overall satisfaction for function.

Results
There were no differences between groups for any measure of dyspepsia.

Conclusions
Creatine (generic or the IP version) has no effect on measures of GI distress.

A13.
Four weeks of creatine supplementation in trained subjectseffects on measures of cognition

Conclusions
Despite the fact that the creatine group experienced a statistically significant increase in the Dimensional Change Card Sort Test, it should be noted that the baseline values for the control were above average for the age-corrected standard scores (i.e., the normative mean = 100). A t-score of 85 or 115 denotes one standard deviation below or above the normative mean. Inasmuch as the control group was a standard deviation above the normative mean, it makes sense that changes in cognition were a fraction of the changes measured in the creatine group (which started out near the normative mean). We would speculate that creatine supplementation might be beneficial to individuals scoring at or below the normative mean for this measure of cognition.

Background
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if six weeks of daily supplementation of creatine (5 g/d) would affect measures of hydration.

Methods
Thirty-eight healthy recreationally active subjects (age: 21±5 years, height: 169±11 centimeters) were randomly assigned to a creatine group (n=19; 9 female, 10 male) that was instructed to consume five grams daily or control (no supplement) (n=19, 10 female, 9 male). Total body water was assessed via the InBody 270. In addition, body composition was determined via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects were instructed to not alter their exercise and diet habits.

Results
There were no significant within-group or between-group changes for body mass, bone mineral content (BMC), total body water, fat mass, lean body mass or body fat percentage in either group: body mass (Table 1).

Conclusions
In a group of young, healthy male and female subjects, creatine supplementation coupled with no change in training or diet has no effect on total body water; nor does it affect measures of body composition via the DXA.

Background
In the last decade, there have been numerous studies that have observed trait anxiety and its various impacts on athletic performance. These studies have analyzed many outcomes due to trait anxiety, including burnout. They have also established a link between increased Data are expressed as the mean±SD. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between groups (delta scores) anxiety and decreased performance. Although research exists demonstrating MMA athletes with less trait anxiety when compared to a control population, limited research exists examining trait anxiety levels between different weight-classes. Therefore, we aim to investigate trait anxiety in professional MMA fighters, between different weight-classes. We hypothesize trait anxiety is higher in heavier weight-classes and lower in lighter weight-classes.

Results Conclusions
In conclusion, the data demonstrates that professional MMA fighters in different weight-classes did not significantly differ on STAI variables, including trait anxiety, trait curiosity, and trait depression.

Background
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-combat, weight-categorized sport in which participants are permitted to use a variety of fighting techniques (e.g., kickboxing, BJJ, and judo). Previous research has examined the relationship between emotional self-regulation and athletic performance. Additional research has analyzed self-regulation in MMA fighters when compared to controls. However, limited research has examined emotional self-regulation scores between different weight-classes. Therefore, we aim to investigate the emotional selfregulation in professional MMA based on weight-class groupings.

Results Conclusions
In conclusion, the data demonstrates that professional MMA fighters in different weight-classes did not significantly differ on DERS-18 Subscales, including total score, awareness, clarity, goals, impulse, nonacceptance, and strategies.

Background
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a weight-restricted, combat sport which combines many disciplines of striking, grappling, and physical preparation. Much research has been done on MMA fighters in terms of training volume, weight-cutting, and psychology, however there is currently a lack of research regarding how COVID-19 lockdown may have influenced each. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in terms of training frequency, weight management, and psychological well-being. We hypothesize that COVID-19 lockdown will result in declines in training frequency, mood state, and weight management. Methods Seventeen professional MMA fighters (age: 28±4.1 years, body mass: 85.7±12.0 kilograms, height: 181.8±6.9 centimeters, BMI: 25.8±2.3 kg/ m 2 ) completed a 25 question survey, reporting behaviors associated with mixed martial arts training, nutrition, and mental-wellness. These questions focused on all aspects both pre-COVID-19 lockdown and during-COVID-19 lockdown. Reporting was completed utilizing a nominal scale. Means and measures of variability will be calculated for all descriptive data. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to analyze group differences between conditions (pre-, during-).

Results Conclusions
The results indicate that COVID-19 lockdown did elicit a statistically significant decrease in self-reported MMA training frequency, grappling training frequency, fight 'readiness', and mood state. The results also indicated that COVID-19 lockdown did not elicit a statistically significant change in self-reported strength training frequency, sparring training frequency, striking training frequency, sleep frequency, weight relative to weight class, meal frequency, and anger. These results may support the need for potential physical and mental support following COVID-19 lockdown in professional MMA fighters. Although the fighters were able to maintain weight and meal frequency, they were unable to train adequately to maintain fight 'readiness.'

Background
The Dark Triad is composed of three personality traits including narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Prior research of the Dark Triad has analyzed trait differences between men and women, veteran athletes and rookie athletes, and mixed martial artists (MMA) and college-controls. Psychopathy has also been linked to performance in MMA bout performance. Although MMA research exists in regards to the Dark Triad, limited research exists analyzing the personality traits of the Dark Triad in regards to different MMA weightclasses. Therefore, we aim to investigate the Dark Triad in professional MMA based on physical size between different weight-class groupings. We hypothesize that differences will exist between different weight-classes.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the data demonstrates that professional MMA fighters in different weight-classes did not significantly differ on Dark Triad Subscales, including Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy.

Background
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the acute consumption of an energy drink affected sexual functioning in men and women.

Methods
Eight subjects received 6 cans (3 Bang® energy drink and 3 placebo) and were told consume either an energy drink or a placebo 60 minutes before sexual activity. Both consumers and their partners filled out an online questionnaire within 30 minutes of sexual activity assessing orgasm, satisfaction, duration, enjoyment and intensity, pleasure and perceived sexual attractiveness. An unequal variance ttest was performed.

Results
Based on this limited sample, Bang® energy drink appears to influence self-reported sexual enjoyment of male consumers (p = 0.046) and sexual satisfaction female consumers (p=0.031). Male partners reported significant higher levels of satisfaction (p =0.049) and enjoyment (p =0.044). Female partners reported significantly higher levels of intensity (p=0.035) and control (p =0.044)

Conclusions
Based on this limited sample, it is possible that a caffeine-containing energy drink might alter the perception of sexual satisfaction in both men and women.

Background
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of consuming either 0.6 liters of water or an isovolumic protein shake (160 kcal, 3 g fat, 4 g carbohydrate, 30 g protein) on indices of body composition.

Results
There were no significant differences between baseline and any time point for the water and protein condition for body mass, lean body mass, and fat mass. Under the protein treatment, there were no significant differences between baseline or any time point for total body water; however, significant differences were found under the water condition (time point 0 and 60 minutes were significantly lower versus baseline). Under both the water and protein conditions, percent body fat was significantly greater (p<0.0001) at time points 0, 30 and 60 minutes compared to baseline (Table 1 and 2).

Conclusions
The acute consumption of either water or an isovolumic protein shake resulted in a measurable increase in percent body fat immediately post-consumption as well as 30 and 60 minutes thereafter.

A21.
The impact of creatine on cognitive functioning: Does exercise frequency matter? Catherine Weber 1 , Alexsandra

Background
Creatine is an extremely popular nutritional aid used by athletes due to the well-established benefits including increased tolerance to heat [1] and increased performance on high intensity exercise [2,3]. Of interest to the current study are possible benefits to cognitive functioning. Creatine appears to protect cognitive functioning following sleep deprivation [4], in the face of boredom [5] and on demanding executive functioning tasks [4]. The purpose of the current study was to examine how exercise frequency may alter the impact of a 6-week creatine supplementation on cognitive functioning.
Methods 49 undergraduate students were assigned to either a creatine condition (n=25), in which they consumed 5 grams of creatine per day for a 6-week period, or a wait-list control condition (n=24), in which they did not consume creatine. Subjects completed measures of working memory, sustained attention, speed of processing, and mind wandering and measures of body composition via the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) prior to and at the end of the 6-week period. Subjects indicated their frequency of exercise on a demographics form.

Results
We conducted a linear-mixed model regression analysis predicting working memory, sustained attention, mind wandering, and speed of processing from condition, time, and the interaction between condition and time. Analyses were conducted separately for individuals that reported exercising frequently (e.g. more than 3 times per week, n = 16) and those that reported exercising infrequently (e.g. less than 3 times per week, n = 32). We did not find a significant interaction between time and condition when predicting working memory, sustained attention, mind wandering, or speed of processing for frequent exercisers. For infrequent exercisers, we observed significant time by condition interactions predicting dprime (a measure of sustained attention), b = 0.72, p = .027, mind wandering, b = -0.22, p = .022, and reaction time variability, b = -52.84, p = .024. For all of these measures, improvements in performance were observed in the creatine condition but not the control condition for infrequent exercisers.

Conclusions
The current results suggest that creatine supplementation may improve sustained attention performance and reduce mind wandering in young healthy adults, but the effect appears to occur for individuals that do not engage in regular exercise. Future studies should examine how type of exercise may alter these findings.

A22.
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the antiinflammatory effects of Curcugen TM in an acute exercise model