MAPLE-DR Study — Cyclists Wanted
Trained Cyclists Wanted
Can maple syrup fuel your best performance?
Join our research on natural sports nutrition at Centre EPIC, Montreal Heart Institute.
Am I Eligible?About This Study
We are studying whether maple syrup — a natural, minimally processed carbohydrate source — can improve cycling endurance. As a participant, you will complete four testing sessions on a stationary bike. In each session, you will drink a beverage containing a different amount of maple syrup (or a placebo), then ride for 2 hours followed by a 20-km time trial.
Neither you nor the research team will know which beverage you receive on a given day — this double-blind design ensures unbiased results. Every participant completes all four conditions, separated by at least one week of rest.
Are You Eligible?
Who We're Looking For
- Male, aged 18–45
- VO₂max ≥ 55 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (we'll test this at your first visit)
- Peak power ≥ 4.6 W/kg (≥ 320 W) on a cycling test
- You ride at least 5 hours per week
- At least 1 year of regular endurance training
You Cannot Participate If
- You have diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular disease
- You have a digestive condition (IBS, Crohn's, celiac disease)
- You are allergic to maple products or fructose
- You take medication that affects your metabolism
- You smoke or use nicotine products
Your 6 Visits
The study takes place over 5–7 weeks. Here's what happens at each visit.
Health Screening
About 2.5 hours · you'll need to arrive fasting
We review your medical history, take basic body measurements, and perform a blood sugar test to make sure it's safe for you to participate.
Fitness Assessment
About 2 hours
You'll do a progressive cycling test to measure your VO₂max and maximum power. Then you'll practice the 20-km time trial so you're familiar with the protocol.
Four Testing Sessions At least 7 days between each
About 3.5 hours each
Each session follows the same format. You'll drink a maple syrup beverage (or placebo) before and during a 2-hour steady ride, then give everything you have on a 20-km time trial. During the ride, we'll collect breath and blood samples to measure how your body uses the fuel.
Each session uses a different dose — you'll complete all four over the course of the study. The order is randomized and neither you nor the testers know which dose you're getting.
All visits take place at Centre EPIC, Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal.
Participant Compensation
- $75 per testing session to compensate for your time and travel
- Complimentary VO₂max assessment — learn about your aerobic fitness
- Personal performance report — power output and metabolic data from your sessions
- Contribute to sports nutrition research — help build evidence-based guidelines for natural fuelling strategies
Interested?
Get in touch — we'll answer your questions and check whether you're a good fit for the study.
labsport.udem@gmail.com514.422.0315
Centre EPIC, Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal
