The characteristics of the subjects in each group are presented in Table 1. The subjects all stayed in a dorm close to the campus and lifestyle, including meals and exercise before and during the training camp, was the same for all subjects. Based on food consumed, energy and nutrient intakes were as follows (mean ± SE): energy: 2144 ± 81 kcal, protein: 80.4 ± 4.8 g, fat: 49.8 ± 5.9 g, carbohydrate: 329.6 ± 13.7 g, calcium: 340.4 ± 59.8 mg, socium chloride: 13.2 ± 0.9 g. Table 1 Subject characteristics.     P group

(n = 8) CT group (n = 8)   Age (year) 20.0 ± 0.9 20.0 ± 0.9   Height (cm) 170.9 ± 5.0 171.0 ± 6.8   Weight (kg) 55.8 ± 3.9 56.5 ± 5.0   Personal best time for 5000 m run 15 min 5 s ± 23 s 15 min 9 s ± 24 s Values are means ± SEM. Dosage and method Following the methodology used previously in a clinical study in humans by Miyagawa et al. [6] and in our previous learn more study [16], the active ingredients in CT consisted of 700 mg of cystine and 280 mg of

theanine per pack (per day) in a selleck chemicals granular form. P was also in granular form and contained 930 mg of crystalline cellulose and 50 mg of monosodium glutamate. In previous human trials of CT supplementation, CT was supplemented for 14 days before Flu vaccination [6], seven days before high-intensity resistance exercise [20] and 10 days before the endurance training camp in our previous study [16]. All of these trials reported starting CT supplementation at least 7 days before the vaccination or exercise stress. buy CBL0137 In the present trial, the period of CT supplementation was 8 days before the training camp and 8 days during the camp. The subjects ingested CT or P by the double-blind method from 7-22 February 2008 (16 days) after dinner every day before and Florfenicol during the winter training camp. The compliance rate of the ingestion was checked by collecting the empty pouches that had contained CT and P shortly after ingestion. The subjects were prohibited from taking green tea, other amino acids, proteins, or creatine 5 days before the start date until the end of the study. Also, these athletes generally did not take any supplements, such as amino acids, proteins and creatine. Amount

of exercise The 16 subjects took part in practice sessions at the track team practice field of Takaoka University of Law for 8 days from 7-14 February 2008, and at the winter training camp in Takamatsu, Kagawa prefecture, Japan, for 8 days from 15-22 February 2008; all 16 subjects participated in the same training programs during each of the two time periods. The average distance run by the subjects during the 8 days before the training camp was 19.9 km/day (mean of 4 days of training) compared to 28.6 km/day (mean of 7 days of training) during the 8 days of training camp. The training program before and during the training camp is summarized in Table 2. Table 2 Summary of the training program before and during the training camp.