Levagen+ (palmitoylethanolamide, PEA) for cycling recovery and performance.
Official title: Recovery Following a Prolonged Period of Intensified Exercise Training: Evaluating the Impact of Levagen+® on Alleviating Physical, Physiological and Psychological Stress.
Run by University of Westminster · NCT07359534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether daily Levagen+ (PEA) helps trained cyclists recover better and maintain performance during a short period of intensified training.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Westminster Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | April 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07359534 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy male and female cyclists or triathletes aged 18–50 with at least 2 years of training, a minimum weekly cycling volume (~5 hours) and FTP ≥2.9 W/kg (males) or ≥2.5 W/kg (females) are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People outside the 18–50 age range, untrained recreational exercisers, smokers, those with certain medical conditions or on medications, or anyone on restrictive diets are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, healthy trained endurance cyclists will take Levagen+ (PEA) or placebo for 45 days, with a minimum four-week washout before switching to the other treatment. Participants complete home FTP tests and attend four laboratory visits for 40 km time trials, blood sampling, and questionnaires on soreness, exertion, sleep and mood. Training data from the first five weeks are used to create a 7-day intensified training block (approximately a 50% increase in average load) during the intervention period. Outcomes compare performance, subjective recovery measures, and inflammatory/biomarker changes between PEA and placebo periods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Levagen+ could help trained cyclists recover faster and preserve performance during heavy training periods.
How similar studies have gone: Some smaller clinical and preclinical studies support PEA's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but its specific use for exercise recovery in trained athletes is relatively novel and not yet well established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy subjects * Males and females (18-50 years of age) * Trained cyclists/triathletes indicated by: * Minimum functional threshold power (FTP, an indication of the highest average power output a cyclist can maintain for 60 minutes) of 2.9W/kg for males and 2.5W/kg for females * Minimum 2 years of 5 hours cycling training a week Exclusion Criteria: * \<18, \>50 years * Following a restrictive diet plan * Consumption of \>14 units of alcohol/week * Allergies to test foods/drinks * Illnesses or on medication (with a possible effect on taste and/or appetite) * Devices such as pacemakers * Smokers * Gastrointestinal disorders * Eating disorders
Where it's running
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University of Westminster London
London, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mohammed Gulrez Zariwala, PhD — University of Westminster
- Study coordinator: Mohammed Gulrez Zariwala, PhD
- Email: m.zariwala@westminster.ac.uk
- Phone: 0044 (0)20 7911 5000
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.