Choline ingestion does not modify physical or cognitive performance.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine whether choline ingestion improves physical and cognitive performance following exhaustive load carriage exercise.


METHODS
In a double-blind crossover study, 13 men (28 +/- 2 years) underwent four test sessions: load carriage treadmill and no-load carriage test sessions after taking choline or placebo. Physical and cognitive performance batteries were administered at the end of the test sessions.


RESULTS
Choline ingestion (50 mg/kg body weight) significantly (p < 0.05) increased plasma choline concentrations during the load and no-load carriage test sessions. However, plasma choline did not decrease during the placebo load carriage test session, an indication that load carriage does not deplete circulating choline. There were no differences in performance on physical tasks, and choline ingestion had no effect on reaction time, logical reasoning, vigilance, spatial memory, or working memory.


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy men, supplemental choline did not affect physical or cognitive performance after exhaustive physical activity.
Deuster
Patricia A
PA
Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.
Singh
Anita
A
Coll
Regina
R
Hyde
Dale E
DE
Becker
William J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D002794:Choline / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D002794:Choline