Efficacy of spirulina supplementation on isometric strength and isometric endurance of quadriceps in trained and untrained individuals – a comparative study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of spirulina supplementation in enhancing isometric muscle strength and endurance in trained and untrained human beings.
Design: Placebo controlled, different subject experimental.
Setting: University level athletes and college students of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.
Subjects: Forty healthy subjects (20 trained and 20 untrained) participated in the study and were divided into 4 groups, supplemented untrained (n=10), placebo untrained (n=10), supplemented trained (n=10), placebo trained (n=10). Subjects in both supplemented groups volunteered to take spirulina for 8 weeks in addition to their normal diet. Subjects in the placebo groups served as control and were given capsules filled with flour.
Outcome measures: Peak force, average force and fatigue index of dominant quadriceps muscle were measured before and after 8 week of supplementation. Values were compared within and between the groups.
Results: The results show that spirulina supplementation is effective with time in increasing peak force (p<0.01), average force (p<0.01) and decreasing fatigue index (p<0.01) on paired t-test. Significant group and supplementation effects were also found with ANOVA analysis for peak and average force. However no significant effects (p>0.05) were found between the groups with ANOVA in decreasing fatigue index.
Conclusion: Spirulina for 8 weeks is effective in increasing the isometric muscle strength and isometric muscle endurance. Spirulina supplementation with training was found to be better than the spirulina only and training only in increasing muscle strength but no group was found to be better in increasing muscular endurance.

Full text

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IbnosinaJournalofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences(2010) 79
ARTICLE
Efcacy of Spirulina Supplementation on Isometric Strength and Iso-
metric Endurance of Quadriceps in Trained and Untrained Individu-
als – a comparative study
Sandhu J.S*, Bhardwaj Dheera, Shenoy Shweta
DepartmentofSportsMedicineandPhysiotherapy,GuruNanakDevUniversity,Amritsar-143005,Punjab,India.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the efcacy of spirulina
supplementation in enhancing isometric muscle strength
andenduranceintrainedanduntrainedhumanbeings.
Design:Placebocontrolled,differentsubjectexperimental.
Setting: University level athletes and college students of
GuruNanakDevUniversity,Amritsar,India.
Subjects: Forty healthy subjects (20 trained and 20
untrained)participatedinthestudyandweredividedinto4
groups,supplementeduntrained(n=10),placebountrained
(n=10), supplemented trained (n=10), placebo trained
(n=10).Subjectsinbothsupplementedgroupsvolunteered
to take spirulina for 8 weeks in addition to their normal
diet.Subjects in the placebogroupsservedascontroland
weregivencapsuleslledwithour.
Outcomemeasures:Peak force, average force and fatigue
index of dominant quadriceps muscle were measured
beforeand after 8week of supplementation.Values were
comparedwithinandbetweenthegroups.
Results: The results show that spirulina supplementation
is effective with time in increasing peak force (p<0.01),
averageforce(p<0.01)anddecreasingfatigueindex(p<0.01)
on paired t-test. Signicant group and supplementation
effects were also found with ANOVA analysis for peak
andaverageforce.Howevernosignicanteffects(p>0.05)
werefoundbetweenthegroupswithANOVAindecreasing
fatigueindex.
Conclusion:Spirulinafor8weeksiseffectiveinincreasing
the isometric muscle strength and isometric muscle
endurance. Spirulina supplementation with training was
foundtobebetterthanthespirulinaonlyandtrainingonly
inincreasingmusclestrengthbutnogroupwasfoundtobe
betterinincreasingmuscularendurance.
Key words: Spirulina–MuscleStrength–Fatigue–Sports
Nutrition
Introduction
Spirulina,microscopic bluegreenalgaehavebeenknown
*Correspondingauthor:J.S.SandhuEmail:jssandhu2000@yahoo.com
Published:01March2010
IbnosinaJournalofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences2010,2(2):79-86
Received:03October2009
Accepted:17December2009
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J.S.Sandhuetal EfcacyofSpirulina
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80
to be consumed since ancient times as a nutritional
supplementasithasveryhighproteincontent(70p.100of
drymatter)(1).InIndia,athleteshavebeeneatingSpirulina
whiletrainingfor track andeldevents (2). The Chinese
andCubanOlympicteamsarealsoknowntoeatspirulina
daily during their training and competition (3). These
suggest some strength or exercise performance related
effectsofspirulinasupplementationinhumans.
Ithas been foundto be excellent foodfor rapid recovery
inchildren from malnutrition related diseases in Mexico,
Togo,Romania,China,Rwanda,Zaire,India,Ukraine,and
Belarus(4).ManyNationalprogramshavebeenundertaken
tocuremalnourishmentwithspirulinainIndianandAfrican
subcontinent(5).
Spirulinaisunicellular,lamentous,helicoidalshapedgreen
algaewithlengthof0.2-0.3mm.It’sspecialadvantageover
othernaturalfoodisthatitcontains65-70%proteinondry
weightbasiswhich is higher thananyother natural food,
14% carbohydrates (Ramnose, Glucane, Phosphorolated
Cyclitols, Glucosamine, Muramic acid, Glycogen), 6%
lipids(Palmiticacid, Linoleic acid,Gammalinoleic acid,
Alpha linolenic acid, Beta carotene), all eight essential
amino acids (Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine,
Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophane, Valine), several
vitamins and trace minerals like Ni, Cu, Fe, Ca, Co etc
(4,6).
According to previous evaluations, spirulina seems to
be a good alimentary protein source for human subjects.
Spirulina supplementation has shown to increase the
proteinsynthesisratesinsoleusaswellasmyosincontent
ingastrocnemiusmuscleofrats(7).
Initially the interest in spirulina focused on its nutritive
value, more recently, some preclinical testing suggests it
hasseveraltherapeuticpropertiessuchasanti-inammatory
andantioxidant(8).Spirulinasupplementationhasshown
preventiveeffectsonskeletalmuscledamageunderexercise-
induced oxidative stress (9). It is evident that muscular
exercise promotes production of free radicals, which are
responsible for exercise-induced protein oxidation and
contributetomusclefatigue(10).Thisoxidativestresshas
beenobserved both afterexhaustive aerobic aswell after
isometric exercises (11). However, spirulina’s effects in
increasingmuscularstrengthanddelayingmuscularfatigue
owingtoitshighproteincontentandantioxidantpotential
in normal healthy subjects have not been documented.
Previousclinicalstudiesonspirulinasupplementationhave
used dosage ranging from 0.5gms to 10gms for various
therapeutic purposes. We intended to study the effects of
spirulinasupplementationonmuscularstrengthandfatigue
at the minimal therapeutic dose of 2gm/day for 8 weeks
(12).
Performance in sports and in any physical task depends
upon neuromuscular, psychological, environmental and
nutritionalfactors.Propernutritionprovidesfuelforbiologic
work and essential elements for repairing existing cells
and synthesizing new tissues, forming the foundation for
physicaland muscularperformance. Muscle performance
referstothecapacityofmuscletodowork.Keyelements
ofmuscleperformancearestrengthandendurance.Muscle
strengthreferstotheabilityofcontractiletissuetoproduce
tensionandaresultantforcebasedondemandsplacedupon
themuscle.Muscleenduranceistheabilityofamuscleto
contract repeatedly against a load, generate and sustain
tension,andresistfatigueoveranextendedperiodoftime
(13).
Theuseofnutritionalsupplementsinsportiswidespread.
Nutritionalergogenicaidsareaimedprimarilyatenhancing
performance.Athletesregularlyconsumethesesupplements
to increase resistance to infection and improve general
health. This is important in reducing the interruptions to
trainingduetominorillnessandinfection.Alsonutritional
supplementsaim at increasing lean body mass ormuscle
mass by stimulation of protein synthesis and at reducing
bodyfatcontent (14).Thisprovokedustocheckwhether
spirulina due to its high protein content and antioxidant
potentialcanbeusedasanutritionalsupplementtocombat
thestressofexerciseonmuscleandenhancethemuscular
performance by increasing the muscular strength and
endurance.
Materials and Methods
A different subject experimental design for inter group
andintragroupcomparisonwasused.Atotalof40trained
and untrained male and female subjects volunteered in
ourstudy.Theterm‘trained’wasusedtorefertoathletes
who have been consistently involved in university level
competition.This group included subjectsparticipatingin
boxingandshotputthrowingforatleast3years.Theterm
‘untrained’was used to refer to subjects not involved in
anykindofsportingactivityduringthelast1yearorduring
thestudyperiod.
Subjects wereinformedofthe possiblerisksandbenets
ofparticipationbeforesigningtheconsent.Thestudywas
approvedfromtheInstitutionalMedicalEthicsCommittee
of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar who further
approvedthe protocols therein. 20 untrained subjects (10
males,10females)withmeanage(25.2±3.5),meanweight
(60±7.8), mean height (165.5±9.8) were selected and
randomlydivided into 2groups- Supplemented untrained
(groupI)andPlacebountrained(groupII)
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IbnosinaJournalofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences(2010) 81
20 trained subjects (12 males, 8 females) with mean age
(24.4±3.4),mean weight(68±6.3),meanheight (170±8.8)
were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups-
Supplemented trained (group III) and Placebo trained
(groupIV).
Table1:Physicalcharacteristicofthetestedindividuals
Characteristic Untrained Trained
Age (year) 25.2±3.5 24.4±3.4
Weight (kg) 60±7.8 68±6.3
Height (cm) 165.5±9.8 170±8.8
Trained subjects were found to have greater weight and
heightcomparedtotheuntrainedmaybeduetothetraining
effects.
Experimentaltrainedsubjectscontinuedwiththeirregular
training sessions which involved predominantly strength
training (exercise machines and resistance bands) and
conditioningforthesportinvolvedforaverage5hrs/dayfor
8weeks.
Inclusioncriteriaforthestudyrequireduntrainedsubjects
not participating in any sporting activity, not having any
history of lower limb injury and not taking any dietary
supplementfor past6months.Exclusioncriteriaincluded
anyhistoryoflowerlimborbackinjuryorsurgery,taking
anykindofmedicationordietarysupplement.
Inclusion criteria for trained subjects included regular
participation in university level sporting activity and
involvedinresistancetrainingforatleast3years,nohistory
oflowerlimbinjuryandnottakinganykindofproteinor
dietary supplement. Exclusion criteria were same as for
untrained.Allsubjectswhoparticipatedinthisstudywere
universityhostelresidentssohadthesametypeofdietary
intake.
Testing Protocol
Instructions to subjects were given prior to the testing
protocol. Subjects were asked not to consume coffee,
tea, heavy meal or other stimulants within 2-3 hours of
testing.All were asked to refrain from strenuous activity
orexertionalphysicalworkatleast24hoursbeforetesting.
TheHUR1*5340LegExtension/Curlcomputercontrolled
instrument (HUR, Finland) was used for evaluating the
isometricanglespecic peak torque.Eachsubject visited
the laboratory before the start of the actual study and

performed 2 maximum voluntary isometric contraction
with10secondand60secondholdwitharestperiodof2
minuteinbetweenthetwocontractions,todeterminepeak
force(PF),averageforce(AVF)andfatigueindex(FI)of
the quadriceps muscle of the dominant leg measured at
optimal standardized angle of knee joint (for which the
quadricepsmuscleappliesmaximaltorquei.e.60°ofknee
exion;0°meansfullkneeextension)(15).
Isometric Strength Measurement
The torque (Newton–metre) was measured at 10 sec.
isometricholdat60° knee exion for quadricepsinboth
groups.Itwas normalized to force(Newton)by dividing
torquebyleverarmlength.
Force(Newton)=
Torque(Nm)
LeverArmLength(m)
Peakforce(N)andAverageforce(N)(averageforceof4
quarters(1quarter=2.5sec)for10secwascalculated)from
peaktorque(Nm)andAveragetorque(Nm)respectively.
Isometric endurance measurement
After 2 min rest with no activity,fatigue index (FI) was
calculated as a measure of isometric endurance with the
sameseatpositionandkneeangleasabove.Isometrichold
of60secwasperformed,tocalculateisometricendurance.
Torquein1stsec(T1)and torque at 60th sec (T60) were
observed.TorqueT1andT60wasnormalizedtoforceF1
and F60 respectively. Fatigue Index designed by Milner
andBrown(16)wascalculatedusingtheformula;
Fatigue–index=
F1–F60
x100(%)
F1
No visual or verbal feedback was given during the test
session to the subject so that no external stimuli were
institutedexceptforthesubject’sownmaximaleffortand
hold.
Experiment Protocol
The study utilized a placebo controlled different subject
experimentaldesignwithsupplementedandplacebotrials
completedinarandomorderin8weeks.Thepre-protocol
measurement of isometric strength and endurance were
done.Thesubjectsassignedtosupplementedgroup (both
trained and untrained) consumed organic Spirulina (by
Parry Nutraceuticals, Tamil Nadu, India, USDA - NOP
certied)incapsularform(500mgeach)inadditiontotheir
normaldiet.Eachsubjectwasaskedtotake2capsulesin
themorningand in evening andnotto alter their regular
eatinghabitsduringthestudyperiod,thustotaldosageof
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J.S.Sandhuetal EfcacyofSpirulina
www.ijmbs.org   ISSN:1947-489X   
82
2gmsperdayfor8weeks.Thedosegivenwastheminimal
therapeutic dose (12). The subjects assigned to placebo
group (both trained and untrained) consumed empty
capsules lled with our.At the end of supplementation
periodallsubjectswereagaintestedforanychangeinpeak
force,averageforceandfatigueindex.
Statistical Analysis
DatawasstatisticallyanalyzedusingtheStatisticalPackage
for Social Sciences (SPSS)/14.0. (Copyright© SPSS Inc)
.Resultsis expressedas mean ± standard deviation (SD).
ApairedStudent’stwasusedforthestatisticalanalysisto
comparethe mean differencebetween pre- and post-tests
withingroup. Intergroupcomparisonshavebeenmadeby
ANOVA.
Results
Table2showscomparisonbetweenthemeanvaluesbefore
and after supplementation by paired t-test analysis. Peak
force (t=5.83, p<0.01), average force (t=6.67, p<0.01)
and fatigue index (t=6.03, p<0.01) showed signicant
differencein supplemented trainedgroupbeforeandafter
supplementation.Signicantdifferenceswerealsofoundin
thesupplementeduntrainedsubjectsforpeakforce(t=6.29,
p<0.01),average force (t=5.73, p<0.01)andfatigueindex
(t=9.92, p<0.01) before and after supplementation. No
signicantdifference was foundfor any parameterin the
placebogroupsbeforeandaftersupplementation.
Pre supplementation values were compared by ANOVA.
Theresults (table3) showed that the pre- values ofpeak
force differ signicantly (F=3.599, p<0.05) between the
groups.OnapplyingPostHocMultipleScheffeRangeTest
signicant difference was found in trained and untrained
groups. No statistically signicant difference was found
between trained and untrained groups for average force
(F=2.612,p>0.05)andfatigueindex(F=0.587,p>0.05).
Thereissignicantdifferenceseenforparameterspeakforce
and average force when compared between groups after
supplementation.ANOVAfollowed by Post HocMultiple
Scheffe Range Test after completion of supplementation
yielded(F = 5.622,p < 0.01)group III to be statistically
mostsignicant(p<0.01)inenhancingpeakforcefollowed
by group I (p<0.05) when compared to placebo groups.
This implies spirulina supplementation with training was
betterthanonlytrainingoronlyspirulinagroup.
Similarlysignicantdifferenceinaverageforce(F=4.815,
p<0.01) was found with ANOVA. On applying multiple
scheffe,groupIIIwasfoundtobemostsignicantbut no
signicantdifferencewasfoundinanyoftheothergroup.
Fatigueindexwasfoundtobestatisticallyinsignicant(F=
2.086,P>0.05)inbetweenthegroupswithANOVA.
Discussion
The present study was undertaken with the objective of
evaluatingtheeffectsofSpirulinaonexerciseperformance.
Peak force, average force and fatigue index have been
Table2-Comparisonsofeffectofspirulinasupplementationonpeakforce,averageforce,andfatigueindexofdominantquadricepsmuscleinsupplementedand
placebotrainedanduntrainedgroups.Valuesareshownasmeanvalueswithstandarddeviation
Peakforce(inNewton) Averageforce(inNewton) Fatigueindex
Pre Post t Pre Post t pre post t
Supplemented
Trained 326.50
±72.74
398.40
±84.77 5.83** 268.80
±65.53
337.40
±77.40 6.67** 34.60
±13.50
25.57
±12.32 6.03**
Untrained 231.30
±41.14
302.30
±59.15 6.29** 198.40
±43.68
266.80
±61.18 5.73** 41.05
±17.94
31.93
±17.43 9.92**
Placebo
Trained 295.40
±69.88
293.10
±62.20 0.451 252
±60.19
255.7
±56.42 0.818 36.34
±15.19
36.27
±15.43 0.221
Untrained 286.50
±74.86
283.10
±75.53 0.678 230.
±65.87
229.8
±68.29 0.047 43.06
±18.16
42.83
±17.84 0.641
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www.ijmbs.org   ISSN:1947-489X
IbnosinaJournalofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences(2010) 83
measuredintrainedanduntrainedindividualsasameasure
ofmuscularperformance.
Spirulina, blue green algae have been widely used as
a nutritional supplement all over the world. It has high
proteincontent(over60%)andcontainsallessentialamino
acids.Besidesthis it is also arichsourceofvitaminsand
antioxidants.
 Many studies have proven the antioxidant and disease
modifying potential of spirulina and its effectiveness in
various oxidative stress or free radical induced diseases
(8,22-24). However its effect in delaying the muscular
fatigue which incur due to this free radical production
duringexerciseandinincreasingmuscularstrengthdueto
highproteincontenthavenotbeenstudied.
SpirulinahashighproteincontentaswellhighPER(protein
efciencyratio)of87%andaNPU(netproteinutilization)
of 92% when compared to 100% values for casein (17).
This implies that about 92% of dietary nitrogen (amino
acids) supplied has been converted to proteins. Amino
acids play an important role in regulating muscle protein
synthesisand this modulation may beaffected by dietary
proteinqualityandquantity.Fabricioetal foundincreased
Table 3: Comparison of peak force, average force and fatigue index in between the groups before and after
supplementation by ANOVA
SumofSquares df MeanSquare F Sig.
Peak Force
(pre-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 47163.275 3 15721.092 3.599 .023*
WithinGroups 157271.500 36 4368.653  
Total
204434.775 39   
Peak Force (post-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 85426.675 3 28475.558 5.622 .003**
WithinGroups 182352.300 36 5065.342  
Total 267778.975 39   
Average Force (pre-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 27748.400 3 9249.467 2.612 .066
WithinGroups 127492.000 36 3541.444  
Total 155240.400 39   
Average
Force (post-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 63500.075 3 21166.692 4.815 .006*
WithinGroups 158249.700 36 4395.825  
Total
221749.775 39   
Fatigue Index (pre-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 468.961 3 156.320 .587 .628
WithinGroups 9588.333 36 266.343  
Total 10057.294 39   
Fatigue Index (post-
supplementation)
BetweenGroups 1583.816 3 527.939 2.086 .119
WithinGroups 9111.284 36 253.091  
Total 10695.100 39   
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J.S.Sandhuetal EfcacyofSpirulina
www.ijmbs.org   ISSN:1947-489X   
84
skeletalmuscleproteinandincreasedproteinsynthesisrate
inmuscleofgrowingratswithspirulinaingestion(7).We
studieditsimplicationinenhancingthemusclestrengthdue
toenhancedmuscleproteinandfoundincreaseinmuscular
strengthafter8weeksofspirulinasupplementation.
Peak force and average force exerted by dominant
quadricepsmuscleweremeasuredasmeasuresofmuscular
strength.
Huczel et al (25) compared the strength trained and the
untrained subjects and concluded that muscular strength
was enhanced in women engaged in a training program
designed primarily to increase muscular strength and
hypertrophy, but fatigability is not affected. We found
similarresultsinourstudy.Thevaluesofalltheparameters
before supplementation (pre-values) were analyzed by
ANOVAtest.Theresultsshowedthattheprevaluesofpeak
forcediffersignicantlybetweenthetrainedanduntrained
groups (F=3.599, p<0.05). This is because the trained
groupsshowed high peak forcevalues than the untrained
groups due to the training effect. Similarly the trained
group also showed better values before supplementation
for the average force than the untrained groups but the
result was not statistically signicant (F=2.612, p>0.05).
Thefatigueindexasusedinourstudyinvolvedtheuseof
asustained isometriccontractionfor60sec, didnotshow
any signicant difference (F=0.587, p>0.05) between the
strengthtrainedanduntrained.
The pre and post values of peak force exerted showed
signicantincrease(p<0.01,table2)inboththesupplemented
groupsbypairedt-testanalysis.Meanvalueincreasedfrom
326to398Ninsupplementedtrainedandfrom231to302
Ninsupplementeduntrained.Nosignicantdifferencewas
foundin any of the placebo group. Signicantdifference
wasfoundinpostvaluesofpeakforcebyANOVAanalysis.
On applying multiple scheffe, signicant difference was
found between the supplemented trained and placebo
trained groups and between the supplemented trained
andsupplementeduntrainedgroup.Thisimpliesspirulina
supplementationwithtrainingisbetterthanonlyspirulina
ingestionoronlytraininginenhancingpeakforce.
The pre and post values of average force exerted also
showed signicant increase (p<0.01, table 2) in both the
supplementedgroupsbypairedt-testanalysis.Meanvalue
increasedfrom 268to337N insupplementedtrainedand
from198to266Ninsupplementeduntrained.Signicant
difference was found in post values of average force by
ANOVAanalysis.Onapplyingmultiplescheffe,signicant
difference was only found in between supplemented
trained and placebo trained. This implies that spirulina
supplementation is better with training in enhancing
average force compared to only training but is equally
effectivewithouttraining.
Huang et al (3) found that spirulina supplementation
decreased free radicals and increased soleus superoxide
dismutase activities signicantly in rats after exhaustive
exercise. Hsueh kuan et al (9) also found that 3 week
spirulina supplementation decreased activity of creatine
kinase and LDH, which are indicators of skeletal muscle
damageinresponsetoexercise.Itiswelldocumentedthat
muscularexercisepromotestheproductionoffreeradicals
andotherreactiveoxygenspeciesintheworkingmuscledue
toincreaseinoxygenconsumptionintissuesandthefailure
toremove freeradicalscouldlead tooxidativedamageof
cellularbiomolecules(18). These reactiveoxygenspecies
areresponsibleforexercise-inducedproteinoxidationand
contribute to muscle fatigue (9). These muscle-derived
ROS primarily act on myobrillar proteins to inhibit
calcium sensitivity and depress force (19). Free radicals
formedduringchronicexercisemayexceedtheprotective
capacityoftheantioxidantdefensesystem,therebymaking
themusclemoreimmunetofatigueandinjury.
In our study, the pre and post values of fatigue index
measuredaspercentagefallinmaximalforceoveraperiod
of60secbydominantquadricepsmuscleshowedsignicant
change(p<0.01, table2)inboththe supplementedgroups
bypairedt-test.Meanvaluedecreasedfrom34.6to25.5in
supplementedtrainedandfrom41to31.9insupplemented
untrained. Decrease in fatigue index implies increase in
muscular endurance. No signicant difference was found
onANOVA analysis in between the groups. This implies
human supplementation with spirulina has the effect of
increasingmuscularendurance,butthereisnosignicant
differenceasfarastraininglevelsareconcerned.
Adverse Reaction
No level of any adverse effects has been found with the
dosage we used (2gm/day) after 8 weeks of spirulina
supplementationinanyofthesubject.Thisisinaccordance
with studies done in animals where no body or organ
toxicityhasbeenreportedforacute,sub-acuteandchronic
toxicity(20).Salazaretal(21)alsoconcludedthatspirulina
uptohighfeedinglevelsdidnotproduceadverseeffectsin
miceaftersubchronictreatmentof13weeks.
Thisstudyshowsthatspirulinasupplementationiseffective
inenhancingthemuscularperformanceandcanbeusedas
anutritionalsupplement.Spirulinaisanaturalfoodother
thanarticial concentratedcompounds.Iftaking spirulina
has the effect on exercise related advantage, it could
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www.ijmbs.org   ISSN:1947-489X
IbnosinaJournalofMedicineandBiomedicalSciences(2010) 85
probably decrease the side effect and dependence, which
usuallyappearwithlong-termuseofarticialconcentrated
compoundsonhumanbody.
Limitations of study
Thesamplesizewassmall(n=40)andlimitedtoanarrow
range(20-30years).Otherlimitationsofthestudymaybe
that only isometric force could be studied. Psychological
and motivational component of the subject  during the
testingof maximal voluntary isometric contraction might
haveaffectedtheoutcomeofthestudy.
Conclusions
Summarizingtheresultsofourstudyweconcludesignicant
group(trainedvsuntrained)andsupplementation(spirulina
vsplacebo)effects for theisometricmusclestrengthafter
spirulina supplementation. Spirulina with training is
effectiveinincreasingmuscle strengththanonlyspirulina
oronlytraining.Itisalsoeffectivewithtimeinenhancing
muscular endurance but no signicant group effect was
found. So it can be used as a nutritional supplement by
athletesandnon-athletesinenhancingmusclestrengthand
endurance.
Conict of Interest:Nonedeclared
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