Adenylpyrophosphoric Acid Supplements Not Effective for Muscle Strength or Endurance

Some claims of adenylpyrophosphoric acid supplement mixtures include the following:

• Directly increases levels of adenosine triphosphate (cellular energy)
• Increases blood flow to muscle cells
• Increases ATP by supplying direct precursor, cAMP
• Increases testosterone production
• Increases blood flow (for increased “pump”)
• Increases oxygen efficiency
• Significantly decreases fatigue
• Allows for more efficient energy production during anaerobic activity
• Facilitates fatty acid and amino acid conversion into muscle energy
• Works synergistically with other ingredients to increase overall production of ATP
• Increases lipolysis
• Facilitates use of fat for energy
• Increases testosterone production
• Increases peripheral blood flow

The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has performed a study to examine the acute effects of a nutritional supplement intended to improve adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations on vertical jump height, isometric strength of the leg extensors, leg extension endurance, and forearm flexion endurance.

24 healthy men volunteered to complete the study. Participants received either 6 or 8 (depending on body weight) tablets of the treatment (625 mg of adenylpyrophosphoric acid and calcium pyruvate, 350.8 mg of cordyceps sinensis extract and yohimbine hydrochloride) or placebo 1 hour prior to the following tests: countermovement vertical jump (CVJ), forearm flexion repetitions to exhaustion, isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the leg extensors, and a 50 repetition maximal concentric isokinetic leg extension endurance test.

The results showed no differences between the treated group and the placebo group for any of the tests. No improvements in muscle strength, power output, or endurance were found. Unfortunately, this study was short term; however, it seems unlikely to have any effect on ATP concentrations long term. Some of the other ingredients (calcium pyruvate and yohimbine) may provided other results, but these supplements can most likely be found cheaper by themselves. Supplements that contain the studied mixture include Epic Nutrition’s Five Tetra product.