proco
Cognitive and physical performance research

Performance

Performance research spans cognition, recovery, training, and the interventions studied for each. Below: what the published research describes.

Nootropics

Methylene Blue: What the Evidence Says — and the Real Risks

Methylene blue is a prescription drug now sold as a nootropic. We look at what research has actually measured, and why the safety risks deserve real caution.

11 min read · 2026-06-04
Adaptogens

Rhodiola Rosea: What the Research Actually Shows

Rhodiola rosea is marketed for fatigue, stress and performance. We review what trials measure, where the evidence is weak, and what to know before buying.

10 min read · 2026-06-04
Performance measurement

VO2 Max: Lab Tests vs Watch Estimates

Laboratory VO2 max testing directly measures oxygen consumption during exercise. Wearables estimate it from heart rate and pace data. This page describes the methods and the accuracy gap.

11 min read · 2026-06-01
Training research

HIIT vs Steady-State Cardio: What the Research Describes

Controlled trials have compared HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training across VO2 max, metabolic outcomes, body composition, and adherence. This page describes what each comparison has actually measured.

11 min read · 2026-06-01
Recovery science

What "Recovery" Means in Performance Research

Recovery is multi-dimensional — different physiological systems recover on different timescales. This page describes what research has measured about recovery processes, HRV-based scores, and the role of sleep.

11 min read · 2026-06-01
Performance measurement

What is HRV? Heart Rate Variability Explained

HRV is the variation in time between consecutive heartbeats. It reflects autonomic nervous system balance. This page describes what HRV measures, how wearables calculate it, and where the science is strongest.

11 min read · 2026-06-01
Training research

Zone 2 Training: What the Research Has Measured

Zone 2 training drives mitochondrial biogenesis and supports fat oxidation. It dominates elite endurance training programs. This page describes the physiology research and where consumer claims outrun the evidence.

11 min read · 2026-06-01
Supplements

Creatine: What the Research Has Measured

Creatine monohydrate is the most-studied performance supplement. Hundreds of trials have measured its effects on strength, power output, and recovery. This page describes what the evidence actually shows.

11 min read
Supplements · Cognition

Creatine and Brain Health: What the Research Describes

Beyond muscle — creatine's role in brain energy metabolism, what trials have measured for cognition, TBI recovery, and mood, and where the evidence is still early.

10 min read
Supplements · Stack guide

The Performance Stack: Research-Backed Supplements for Training

Creatine monohydrate, omega-3, and magnesium at evidence-based doses. What the research describes about combining them for strength, recovery, and cognitive performance.

12 min read · 2026-06-28
Free reading · Research brief

The Proco Performance Research Brief

What ten performance interventions actually do, ranked by measured effect size. Resistance training, sleep, Zone 2, HIIT, sauna, recovery, and the ones where popular framing outruns the evidence.

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