The Power of Transdisciplinary Research for Business Innovation: The Case of Rooibos as a Potential Ergogenic Sport Drink

Background: The Centre for Sport Business and Technology Research (CSBTR) and the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) are mandated to conduct excellent research with a strong multi- and transdisciplinary focus. Based of the shared expertise of these two research entities a transdisciplinary approach was adopted to best facilitate the study.

Research objective: To investigate whether Rooibos with its unique bioactive compounds modulates oxidative stress and potentially facilitates improved physical performance, with an application as an ergogenic sport drink. Due to the nature of this unique scientific-business collaboration, various beneficial social-economic outcomes were anticipated.

Methodology: Two experimental studies were conducted, the first included thirty-two male participants and the second 30 male participants, both studies were randomized in a blinded, cross-over controlled trial in which participants ingested standardized Rooibos or a placebo drink. The first study involved an upper body maximal fatiguing elbow flexion/extension exercise test entailing 5 sets of 15 repetitions of maximum voluntary contractions separated by 10-second rest intervals on a Biodex System 3 at a speed of 60º per second. The second study involved a lower body modified sub-maximal test and then repeated sprints on a Wattbike cycle-ergometer. Ethical approval was granted for both studies.

Results: During exercise tests on both the upper and lower body preliminary results showed that after ingesting Rooibos various improvements in physical performance were observed, notably the generation of higher peak torque in the upper body test and improved endurance during the lower body test, along with modulation of oxidative stress.

Implications: There is an opportunity to develop a scientifically proven sport drink, which could beneficiate the Rooibos industry and the sport/fitness community with a high value product. Furthermore the media and marketing opportunities to promote Rooibos in the high profile sport drink industry could provide increased revenue generation. These developments can ensure better economic and social sustainability of the sector and also support broader responsibilities in terms of the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of indigenous biological resources.