No Effect of a Ketone Monoester on Markers of Stress and Performance in a Live-Burn Search and Rescue in Firefighters

Abstract

Waldman, HS, Bryant, AR, Shepherd, BD, Egan, B, and McAllister, MJ. No effect of a ketone monoester on markers of stress and performance in a live-burn search and rescue in firefighters. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 763-771, 2022-Firefighters experience a range of stressors that impair performance and elevate the risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases. β-Hydroxybutyrate (βHB) has been shown to mitigate markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and serve as an alternative fuel with implications to physical performance. On 2 occasions in a double-blind, counterbalanced, and crossover design, 14 professional firefighters performed a live-burn, search and rescue (S&R) 30 minutes after ingestion of a ketone monoester (KME; 0.5 g·kg-1) or a placebo (PLA). Dependent variables collected before and after the S&R included salivary markers of stress and inflammation (cortisol, α-amylase, interleukin-1 beta, uric acid), perceptual markers (profile of mood state [POMS]), gastrointestinal distress (GI), rating of perceived exertion [RPE]), time to completion, and capillary blood measurement of βHB and glucose. KME resulted in capillary βHB concentrations of approximately 2.1-3.2 mM throughout the protocol. Capillary glucose concentrations were lower for the KME compared with PLA (∼7%) (interaction effect, p < 0.001). Salivary markers of stress, GI, and time to complete the S&R (∼10 minutes) did not differ between trials, although KME ingestion resulted in significantly higher RPE after the live-burn S&R (KME,6 ± 1; PLA, 4 ± 1). However, POMS data showed the KME also lowered subjective states of nervousness (KME, 0.0 ± 0.0; PLA, 0.6 ± 0.8) and anxiety (KME, 0.0 ± 0.0; PLA, 0.6 ± 0.7) before the S&R (all p < 0.05; large effect sizes). Compared with PLA, ingestion of a KME by firefighters did not mitigate the rise in various markers of salivary stress or impact physical performance during a live-burn S&R. However, differences in RPE and POMS variables were observed, suggesting a possible cognitive role for βHB.