Effects of a chicken-derived functional drink on high-intensity endurance performance and recovery in amateur cyclists

Abstract

Background: High-intensity endurance exercise often causes fatigue, muscle damage, and delayed recovery, driving interest in nutritional strategies to enhance performance and recovery. Chicken Essence (CE), a traditional Asian supplement and a chicken-derived functional drink rich in BCAAs, carnosine, anserine, taurine, and essential micronutrients, which may improve muscle buffering, energy metabolism, and reduce oxidative stress. These effects have been associated with improved performance and reduced levels of muscle damage, as indicated by markers such as creatine kinase and lactate. While short-term CE use has yielded mixed outcomes, long-term supplementation may offer more substantial benefits.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of chicken essence (CE) supplementation on physiological alterations, high-intensity endurance performance (HIEP), and post-exercise recovery after HIEP cycling.

Methods: Twelve healthy, amateur, male road cyclists participated in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The subjects ingested two bottles (100 ml) of CE or a placebo (PL) per day for 4 weeks. In the first session, the subjects underwent a maximal incremental test (VO2peak) using a cycling ergometer to establish a baseline. During the second and third visits, the subjects were tested for VO2peak and then performed a HIEP cycling at 80% VO2peak. Supplementation conditions (CE or PL) were performed, in a random order, after a washout period of 1 month. Then, during the fourth and fifth visits, subjects repeated the VO2peak and HIEP cycling at 80% of their VO2peak. Baseline blood samples were obtained again immediately after the HIEP cycling test and 24 and 48 hours (h) thereafter and analyzed for creatine kinase (CK), blood glucose, and lactic acid.

Results: The maximum oxygen consumption, maximal power outputs, and time to exhaustion varied significantly between the CE and PL groups. The CK level and percentage decrease in lactic acid were significantly different between the CE and PL groups at 24 and 48 h. The blood glucose was significantly different between the CE and PL groups immediately after the HIEP test. 

Novelty: This study is the first to investigate the chronic effects of Chicken Essence (CE) supplementation over 4 weeks on high-intensity endurance performance and post-exercise recovery in amateur cyclists using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Unlike previous studies that focused on short-term supplementation or non-athletic populations, this research provides novel insights into the potential of chicken-derived functional drinks to enhance aerobic capacity, prolong time to exhaustion, and reduce markers of muscle damage, offering evidence for their use as a functional supplement in endurance sports.

Conclusion: These results suggest that ingesting 100 ml/day for 4 weeks increased high-intensity endurance performance and recovery in amateur cyclists.

Keywords: amino acids; chicken essence; cyclist performance; functional drink; maximum oxygen consumption; time to exhaustion; fatigue; muscle damage