Acute ingestion of modafinil significantly prolonged exercise time to exhaustion at 85% VO2max compared to placebo (18.3 vs 15.6 min) and reduced ratings of perceived exertion.
RCT (n=15)
Double-blind
Balanced order
Does acute ingestion of modafinil improve exercise time to exhaustion in healthy male subjects?
Acute ingestion of modafinil significantly prolonged exercise time to exhaustion and reduced perceived exertion in healthy males.
Absolute Event Rate: 18.3% vs 15.6%
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute ingestion of modafinil (M) on time to exhaustion during high-intensity exercise. Modafinil (M) is a psychostimulant developed to treat narcolepsy, with "arousal" properties attributed to an increased release of dopamine in the CNS. Because other stimulants with similar properties have ergogenic effects, it was hypothesized that acute treatment with M would enhance physical performance. METHODS: Fifteen healthy male subjects, with a maximal aerobic power (VO2max) of 47 +/- SD 8 mL x kg x min, exercised on a cycle ergometer for 5 min at 50% VO2max and then at approximately 85% VO2max to exhaustion. They did this weekly for 3 wk: a control trial (C) the first week, and then 3 h after ingesting either placebo (P) or M (4 mg x kg) during the remaining 2 wk. The P and M trials were conducted with a balanced order, double-blind design. RESULTS: : Mean +/- SD times to exhaustion at 85% VO2max (TE) were 14.3 +/- 2.8, 15.6 +/- 3.8 and 18.3 +/- 3.5 min for the C, P, and M trials, respectively. TE for M was significantly longer than for the C and P trials. Oxygen uptake at exhaustion was slightly but significantly greater for M compared with P and C. HR increased with time and was further elevated by M. Subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower for M compared with C and P but only after 10 min of exercise at 85% VO2max. CONCLUSION: Acute ingestion of modafinil prolonged exercise time to exhaustion at 85% VO2max and reduced RPE. The RPE results suggest that the dampening of the sensation of fatigue was likely a factor responsible for the enhanced performance.
Jacobs et al. (Tue,) conducted a rct in Healthy (n=15). Modafinil vs. Placebo was evaluated on Time to exhaustion at 85% VO2max (min). Acute ingestion of modafinil significantly prolonged exercise time to exhaustion at 85% VO2max compared to placebo (18.3 vs 15.6 min) and reduced ratings of perceived exertion.