Fujie Shumpei, Inoue Kenichiro, Tsuji Katsunori, Horii Naoki, Oshiden Moe, Tabata Izumi, Iemitsu Motoyuki
Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan.
Sports Research Center, Hosei University, Kawasaki 211-0031, Japan.
Nutrients. 2025 Aug 16;17(16):2657. doi: 10.3390/nu17162657.
Chronic chlorella intake combined with high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) has been shown to accelerate aerobic and anaerobic capacities in rodents. This study aimed to clarify the effects of combining chlorella intake with short-term HIIT on exercise performance in humans, and to investigate the impact of chlorella intake on cardiac adaptation.
In Study 1, twelve healthy young men completed a 3-week exhaustive HIIT, comprising 6-7 bouts of 20 s of cycling on a leg ergometer at an intensity of 170% maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O), with a 10 s rest between each bout, 3 days/week. They were orally administered either placebo or chlorella during the 3 weeks in a double-blinded, randomized crossover trial (RCT). In Study 2, six healthy young men were orally administered either placebo or chlorella during 4 weeks in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled RCT. We measured V˙O and cardiac function (stroke volume [SV], heart rate [HR], and cardiac output [CO]) during maximal exercise. In Study 3, chlorella-induced changes in molecular markers of maladaptation of the heart were measured in healthy rats.
[Study 1] After each HIIT, V˙O significantly increased in the placebo and chlorella groups ( < 0.05). Changes in V˙O were significantly higher in the chlorella group than in the placebo group ( < 0.05). [Study 2] Changes in SV and CO during maximal exercise were significantly higher in the chlorella group than in the placebo group ( < 0.05 each), but HR did not change. [Study 3] Chronic chlorella intake did not change the molecular markers of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Chronic chlorella intake, which improves aerobic capacity by enhancing cardiac function without causing cardiac maladaptation, combined with short-term HIIT, further enhanced aerobic capacity. Thus, the chlorella-induced increase in cardiac function may further enhance aerobic capacity through HIIT.
研究表明，长期摄入小球藻并结合高强度间歇训练（HIIT）可加速啮齿动物的有氧和无氧能力。本研究旨在阐明小球藻摄入与短期HIIT相结合对人类运动表现的影响，并研究小球藻摄入对心脏适应性的影响。
在研究1中，12名健康年轻男性完成了为期3周的力竭性HIIT，包括在腿部测力计上以最大摄氧量（V˙O）的170%强度进行6 - 7组20秒的骑行，每组之间休息10秒，每周3天。在为期3周的双盲、随机交叉试验（RCT）中，他们在这3周内口服安慰剂或小球藻。在研究2中，6名健康年轻男性在为期4周的双盲、安慰剂对照RCT中口服安慰剂或小球藻。我们在最大运动期间测量了V˙O和心脏功能（每搏输出量[SV]、心率[HR]和心输出量[CO]）。在研究3中，测量了健康大鼠中小球藻引起的心脏适应不良分子标志物的变化。
[研究1]每次HIIT后，安慰剂组和小球藻组的V˙O均显著增加（<0.05）。小球藻组V˙O的变化显著高于安慰剂组（<0.05）。[研究2]最大运动期间，小球藻组的SV和CO变化显著高于安慰剂组（均<0.05），但HR没有变化。[研究3]长期摄入小球藻并未改变病理性心脏肥大的分子标志物。
长期摄入小球藻可通过增强心脏功能而不引起心脏适应不良来提高有氧能力，与短期HIIT相结合，可进一步增强有氧能力。因此，小球藻引起的心脏功能增加可能通过HIIT进一步增强有氧能力。
