Experimental design and nutritional intervention
The study took place during a strenuous six-day training camp at the end of the “pre-season” period, more than two months after the last competition of the previous season. The protocol followed a double-blinded, parallel-group, three-arm, randomized controlled design. The study design is summarized in Schematic summary of the study design. Abbreviations: RESTQ-Sport, Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes.Participants were randomized by an external researcher into one of the three study groups (N = 8 each) using a specific software (The three supplements were dispensed in identical opaque bottles diluted in ~500 ml of water and were provided along with cocoa flavor so that they were similar in appearance and taste. All cyclists trained during morning hours (~09.00 am to ~13.30 pm) and consumed lunch after training. Thus, more than four hours had elapsed between the end of training and supplement intake in all the participants, including those in the 