Research Article Volume 8 • Issue 2 24 Effects of Moringa Oleifera leaf powder infusion on a 20km cycling time- trial performance and cardiorespiratory responses in active people Dona Géraud Enock Gbedinhessi 1 , David H. St-Pierre 1,3,4 , Alain Steve Comtois 1,3 , Gawiyou Danialou 1,2* Abstract Moringa Oleifera (MO) is a tropical plant with roots, seeds, and bark that is used as food and in traditional medicine. The MO has already been shown to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. On the other hand, the ergogenic properties of MO remain unclear. Our study aimed to compare the energy and time required for participants to complete the required work (cycling 20 km) before and after receiving an infusion of the MO leaf. The performance achieved by 34 participants (19 M, 15 W, Age: 25.9 ± 4.5 years, Weight: 71.4 ± 16.5 kg, Height: 170.4 ± 10.0 cm, VO 2 max: 40.1 ± 8.4 ml.kg.min) at the end of a 20 km time trial cycling time trial was recorded. During the protocol, the load was set at a power of 114.1 ± 42.8 Watts (corresponding to the ventilatory threshold 1+10%: VT1+10% of the participants). The heart rate (HR) was measured during the test, both at rest, during effort, and recovery. Also, blood lactate levels, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and muscle oxygenation were measured. Total work (Δ 293.6 ± 75.3 vs 290.1 ± 77.4 KJ, p=0.012, d=0.5) and time (Δ 50.0 ± 22.3 vs 49.33 ± 21.9 min, p=0.021, d=0.4) were significantly different. HR (Δ 172.4 ± 22.5 vs 175.9 ± 23.1 beats per minute (bpm), p=0.02, d=-0.9) and RPM (Δ 87.6 ± 18.5 vs 93.3 ± 15.8, p=0.008, d= -0.5) were also significantly different. Our findings indicate that the infusion of Moringa Oleifera leaf powder enhances the pedaling rate, total work output, and exercise duration when achieving a 20 km cycling time trial. Affiliation: 1 Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2 Royal Military College of Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean- sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada 3 Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adaptée, UQAM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 4 Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada *Corresponding author: Gawiyou Danialou, Science Department, Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean-sur- Richelieu, Quebec, Canada. Citation: Dona Géraud Enock Gbedinhessi, David H. St-Pierre, Alain Steve Comtois, Gawiyou Danialou. Effects of Moringa Oleifera leaf powder infusion on a 20km cycling time-trial performance and cardiorespiratory responses in active people. Journal of Food Science and Nutrition Research. 8 (2025): 24-34. Received: March 31, 2025 Accepted: April 08, 2025 Published: May 12, 2025 Keywords: Moringa Oleifera; Cardiorespiratory endurance; Heart rate; VO 2 max; Performance; Effort exertion; Blood lactate; Muscle oxygenation Introduction A proper diet and regular physical training have a positive impact on health and physical performance. Current knowledge has led to a deeper understanding of the various physiological mechanisms underlying performance. In particular, the roles of various macro- and micronutrients have been highlighted in energy supply, metabolic regulation, and muscle contraction [1]. The various research studies that have focused on Moringa Oleifera (MO) have suggested the potential effect this plant could have on the diet of athletes. Indeed, the powder of MO leaves is a Phyto biotic, well known for its medicinal use [2]. It contains phytochemicals, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, which provide immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties [3]. Moringa Oleifera leaf also contains many natural antioxidants (vitamin E and selenium), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium), and phytochemicals such as caffeic acid [4], which decrease fatigue and the perception of exertion during physical activity.