Timeline Publishes New Study on Elite Athletic Recovery

At Timeline, we’re driven by one mission: to bring cutting-edge mitochondrial science to life through rigorous, peer-reviewed research. This commitment has once again reached a major milestone with the publication of our latest clinical trial, conducted in collaboration with one of the world's leading researchers and sports dietitians, Dr. Louise Burke.

This paper, published in the journal Sports Medicine, takes a look at how 1000 mgs of Urolithin A can benefit elite athletes.

A Partnership at the Peak of Performance

Professor Burke is a globally respected sports dietitian whose career has shaped the science of nutrition and performance. Her career spans over four decades, during which she has worked with some of the world's most elite athletes. With more than 350 publications, several textbooks, and a leadership role on the editorial board of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Professor Burke has had a major impact on how the world understands the role of nutrition in elite performance.

By partnering with Dr. Burke and the Australian Institute of Sport, Timeline has expanded its scientific footprint into the world of performance athletics.

Why Study Urolithin A in Elite Athletes?

Urolithin A is a postbiotic compound that supports mitochondrial health. Our mitochondria are the energy-producing systems inside our cells that fuel everything we do, from everyday movement to peak athletic performance.

Through our clinical research, it has been well established that Timeline’s proprietary Urolithin A supplement, Mitopure, can provide significant improvements in mitochondrial health, cellular energy, and muscle health.^[1] Factors that are as important for athletic performance as they are for healthy aging.

This new trial, conducted during a high-intensity training block at altitude, explored whether Urolithin A could help elite athletes better adapt to these extreme demands by enhancing mitochondrial efficiency.

Study Design

The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 42 highly trained male endurance athletes, including middle- and long-distance runners. Participants took either 1000 mg of Urolithin A or a placebo daily for four weeks while undergoing an intense training program.

The Results

The investigators examined levels of a key indicator of exercise-induced muscle damage: the protein creatine kinase (CK). The group taking 1000 mg Urolithin A showed a significant improvement in CK levels following a timed trial training session, indicating better protection against exercise-induced muscle damage.

Another important measure was the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). This is a subjective assessment of how hard an athlete feels they are working. Interestingly, athletes taking Urolithin A reported a meaningful reduction in RPE during intense training, indicating they experienced less effort and fatigue than those taking the placebo.

Wrapping Up

While this study was conducted in elite athletes, the science behind Urolithin A speaks to something universal: our mitochondria power every cell in the body, and keeping them healthy is key to how we age.

As more research on mitochondrial health unfolds, one thing is clear: Urolithin A is emerging as one of the most exciting frontiers, and Timeline remains at the forefront of that discovery.