Metabolic Effects of R-1,3-Butanediol (Ketone-Iq) During Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Bouts

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 1, 2025. BACKGROUND: Current evidence demonstrates the efficacy of low carbohydrate/high fat ketogenic diets as it related to exercise. Exogenous ketone supplements have made it possible to ingest ketone molecules, elevating blood b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) despite consuming carbohydrates (CHO). The purpose of this investigation was to determine both metabolic and performance effects of R-1,3-butanediol (BDO). METHODS: A randomized repeated measures placebo-controlled design was used to compare BDO and placebo (PLA). Each phase of testing utilized two primary testing days: 1) a dose exposure day designed to determine blood metabolite changes following consumption of BDO or PLA, 2) A performance day designed to assess the aerobic and anaerobic performance. In brief, dose exposure day consisted of a fasting baseline blood analysis followed by additional blood analysis at 20- and 40-minute post ingestion timepoints. Performance testing consisted of ingestion of 0.5g/kg of BDO or PLA and a standard meal (31g CHO, 2.5g fat, 13g protein). Participants then conducted a 5k time-trial on a treadmill while breath gases were analyzed. BHB and glucose (GLU) were determined at baseline, midpoint and post run. Following aerobic testing participants completed a repeated cycle test consisting of five 10-second sprints against resistance (7.5% body mass). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to establish group and time effects. RESULTS: BDO resulted in increased BHB relative to PLA at all time-points following baseline on the dose exposure day (20-minute p<0.001 and 40-minute). On the performance day, significant increases in BHB were also observed for all time-points for aerobic (p<0.001 for each) and anaerobic testing (Midpoint: p<0.01, Post: p<0.01). BDO supplementation resulted in significantly higher average power and average peak power outputs across the five 10-second cycle sprints. Additionally, supplementation resulted in significantly less fatigue as determined by Fatigue Index. A significant decrease in BHB for BDO, from pre-run (1.9±0.2mmol) to post-run (1.2±0.2mmol), was also observed (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Acute supplementation with a novel ketone supplement significantly increases blood ketones and significantly improved anaerobic performance on a repeated cycle ergometer assessment.