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Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 41726

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Prof. Jooyoung Kim

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Office of Academic Affairs, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 27478, Korea
Interests: sports nutrition; dietary supplements; exercise-induced muscle damage; post-training recovery
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary supplements (also referred to as ergogenic aids) have been a topic of significant interest among athletes or other individuals who regularly exercise. Numerous studies have long suggested that dietary supplements can help achieve the desired goals by enhancing exercise performance, such as strength and endurance, and facilitating post-exercise recovery. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and safety of dietary supplements remains controversial, and some dietary supplements are used without sufficient scientific evidence. Thus, research and discussion of dietary supplements must continue.

The “Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery” Special Issue awaits the submission of various types of articles (original article, review article, rapid communications, etc.) that have investigated or reviewed the effectiveness of dietary supplements in exercise performance and recovery. Such attempts would lay an important foundation for lowering the potential risks and presenting practical guidelines for the use of dietary supplements in the context of exercise. We look forward to reading an array of articles.

Prof. Jooyoung Kim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

creatine
caffeine
beetroot juice
beta-alanine
protein supplements
multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements
polyphenols
ergogenic aids
recovery
exercise performance

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aspects Regarding the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among the Active Population in Romania

by Pia-Simona Fagaras, Silvia-Violeta Teodorescu, Anca Bacarea, Renato-Gabriel Petrea, Adela-Ioana Ursanu, Geanina Cozmei, Liliana-Elisabeta Radu and Gynetta-Ionela Vanvu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010850 - 2 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

Food supplements contain a variety of combinations of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, and other substances. Any physical effort requires energy from balanced and healthy nutrition. This research aimed to identify the categories of dietary supplements used by active and very active participants who attend the sports and leisure centers from Targu Mures city. The survey was developed in paper and online forms using the Internet and supported multimedia and self-administration. The sample consists of 517 subjects chosen randomly from the research population and divided into the active and highly active PAI subgroups based on age, education, and gender. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20.0 was used to process the collected data. All data were analysed descriptively. Differences between independent groups were assessed using an Independent sample t-test and a Chi-square test. Statistical significance was accepted when p < 0.05. Additionally, a Pearson correlation was done. The most representative age category was between 18 and 22 years old (42.7%), the ones using dietary supplements most frequently. There were significant differences by group of age regarding the consumption of food supplements (p < 0.05) and also by gender (p < 0.05). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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10 pages, 1050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Short-Term Intake of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice on Sleep Quality after Intermittent Exercise in Elite Female Field Hockey Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Jinwook Chung, Minkyung Choi and Kihyuk Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610272 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4879

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term consumption of tart cherry juice on levels of cortisol and melatonin and sleep quality after intermittent exhaustion exercise in female elite field hockey players. A total of 19 field hockey players participated in the present study for 5 days. The individuals were divided into the placebo group (PLA, n = 9) and the tart cherry juice group (TCJ, n = 10), respectively. Actigraphy devices were distributed to analyze sleep quality and participants were required to wear the device while sleeping until the study was completed. Participants consumed tart cherry juice or placebo drinks five times in a total of 48 h while double-blinded after intermittent exhaustion exercise. A significant interaction effect (group × time) between PLA and TCJ groups was not observed in the levels of melatonin and cortisol. The variables of sleep quality showed significant interaction effects with regards to the total time in bed (TTB; p = 0.015), wake after sleep onset (WASO; p = 0.044), and movement index (MI; p = 0.031) variables. As a result, our study confirmed the possibility that the short-term intake of tart cherry juice could not change the levels of melatonin and cortisol in elite female hockey players but could help improve their sleep quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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9 pages, 434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Consumption of Hydrogen-Rich Water Enhances Power Performance and Heart Rate Recovery in Dragon Boat Athletes: Evidence from a Pilot Study

by Gengxin Dong, Jiahui Fu, Dapeng Bao and Junhong Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5413; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095413 - 29 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3929

Abstract

(1) Background: Exercise that exceeds the body’s accustomed load can lead to oxidative stress and increased fatigue during intense training or competition, resulting in decreased athletic performance and an increased risk of injury, and the new medicinal H₂ may be beneficial as an antioxidant. Therefore, we explored the effect of short-term supplementation of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the work performance and fatigue recovery of dragon boat athletes after training. (2) Methods: Eighteen dragon boat athletes who trained for 4 h a day (2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon) were divided into an HRW group (n = 9) and a placebo water (PW) group (n = 9), drinking HRW or PW for 7 days. Each participant completed 30 s rowing dynamometer tests, monitoring the heart rate at baseline (i.e., Day 1) and after the intervention (on Day 8). (3) Result: Drinking HRW increased the maximum power and average power of the 30 s rowing test and decreased the maximum heart rate during the period. After the rowing test, the HRW group’s heart rate dropped significantly after 2 min of recovery, while the PW group’s heart rate did not drop. There was no significant difference between the 30 s rowing distance and the predicted duration of rowing 500 m. (4) Conclusions: Drinking HRW in the short term can effectively improve the power performance of dragon boat athletes and is conducive to the recovery of the heart rate after exercise, indicating that HRW may be a suitable means of hydration for athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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8 pages, 602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Usage in Military Aviators

by Stefan Sammito, Oliver Maria Erley, Dirk-Matthias Rose and Norbert Güttler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5017; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095017 - 20 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) and energy drink (ED) usage in military personnel differs from branch to branch and is between 55% and 76% (higher values in special operations forces). Aviators with highly demanding tasks might be especially interested in using dietary supplements. To date, there are only limited data available for this special profession inside the military. Methods: An internet-based survey was conducted on the prevalence of DS and ED usage, the reasons for their usage and the place of purchase for all wings of the German Armed Forces. Results: Of the 181 pilots who participated in the survey, 34% used DSs and 16% EDs. Usage was linked to sports activities but not to the type of aircraft. DSs were purchased on the internet by 50% of the respondents; mostly protein supplements, magnesium and omega-3fatty acids. Only 42% said they would feel an effect from taking DSs. Conclusions: Although the present study showed that the prevalence of usage was comparable to that of the civilian population, the sources of supply and the range of the substances taken give cause for concern. This calls for education and information campaigns to make the pilots aware of the possible risks to their health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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14 pages, 4845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Acetaminophen on Running Economy and Performance in Collegiate Distance Runners

by Riley P. Huffman and Gary P. Van Guilder

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2927; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052927 - 2 Mar 2022

Viewed by 2901

Abstract

Acetaminophen (ACT) may decrease perception of pain during exercise, which could allow runners to improve running economy (RE) and performance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ACT on RE and 3 km time trial (TT) performance in collegiate distance runners. A randomized, double blind, crossover study was employed in which 11 track athletes (9M/2F; age: 18.8 ± 0.6 years; VO₂ max: 60.6 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min) completed three intervention sessions. Participants ingested either nothing (baseline, BSL), three gelatin capsules (placebo, PLA), or three 500 mg ACT caplets (ACT). One hour after ingestion, participants completed a graded exercise test consisting of 4 × 5 min steady-state stages at ~55–75% of VO₂ max followed by a 3 km TT. There was no influence of ACT on RE in any stage. Similarly, ACT did not favorably modify 3 km TT performance [mean ± SD: BSL = 613 ± 71 s; PLA = 617 ± 70 s; ACT = 618 ± 70 s; p = 0.076]. The results indicate that ACT does not improve RE or TT performance in collegiate runners at the 3 km distance. Those wanting to utilize ACT for performance must understand that ACT’s benefits have yet to be significant amongst well-trained runners. Future studies should examine the effects of ACT on well-trained runners over longer trial distances and under more controlled conditions with appropriate medical oversight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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10 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Choline-Based Multi-Ingredient Supplementation Can Improve Explosive Strength during a Fatiguing Task

by Matthew Gage, Kevin Phillips, Byungjoo Noh and Tejin Yoon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111400 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

Various choline-based multi-ingredient supplementations (CMS) have been suggested in the current market, but the research is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a CMS on physical performance. Fourteen male college football players (20.4 ± 1.0 years) participated in a randomized double-blind crossover experiment separated by 7 days. Subjects were given a CMS or a placebo 60 min before physical performance testing measures, including maximum vertical jumps, maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), maximal voluntary concentric contractions (MVCC), and fatiguing contractions. Four MVICs and seven sets of two MVCCs at various loads (1 N·m to 60% MVIC torque) were performed with the knee extensor muscles while seated on a dynamometer before and after the fatiguing tasks. During the fatiguing tasks, 120 MVCCs (4 sets × 30 reps) were performed with a load equivalent to 20% MVIC. Twitch interpolation technique was used to assess muscle contractile properties and voluntary activation. No significant differences were seen at baseline between sessions for all testing measures including vertical jump height, strength, power, muscle contractile properties and voluntary activation. Rate of torque development and impulse was higher in supplemental session compared to control session throughout the fatiguing contractions (p = 0.018, p < 0.001, respectively). Acute CMS can improve explosive strength by delaying the onset of fatigue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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9 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Combined Creatine and Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Soccer-Specific Performance in Elite Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Jooyoung Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6919; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136919 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4121

Abstract

Creatine and sodium bicarbonate are both ergogenic aids for athletic performance. However, research on the combined creatine and sodium bicarbonate (CSB) supplementation in soccer is limited. This study investigated the changes in soccer-specific performance in elite soccer players after supplementing with CSB. Twenty well-trained elite soccer players participated in the study (age: 20.70 ± 1.08 years; height: 173.95 ± 2.81 cm; body weight: 70.09 ± 3.96 kg; soccer experience: 8 years; average training hours per week: 20 h). The participants were randomly allocated into CSB groups (CSB, n = 10) and placebo groups (PLA, n = 10). The CSB group took creatine (20 g/day) and sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg/day); these two supplements were taken four times a day (morning, afternoon, evening, and before sleep) for seven days. Soccer-specific performance was assessed via 10- and 30-m sprint, coordination, arrowhead agility, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 tests. Compared to the PLA group, the CSB group performed better in the 30-m sprint (CSB: −3.6% vs. PLA: −0.6%, p = 0.007, effect size (ES): 2.3) and both right and left arrowhead agility (right: CSB: −7.3% vs. PLA: −0.7%, p < 0.001, ES: 2.8; left: CSB: −5.5% vs. PLA: −1.2%, p = 0.001, ES: 2.1) tests. However, there were no differences in 10 m sprints, coordination, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 tests between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, CSB supplementation improved sprint and agility in elite soccer players. However, it is still unclear whether such effect is synergistic effect of two supplements or the result of either one of them. Therefore, caution should be taken when interpreting the results, and the limitations should be examined further in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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13 pages, 740 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effectiveness of Nitrate Intake on Recovery from Exercise-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review

by José M. Gamonales, Daniel Rojas-Valverde, Jesús Muñoz-Jiménez, Walter Serrano-Moreno and Sergio J. Ibáñez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912021 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4196

Abstract

Background: Recovery between efforts is critical to achieving optimal physical and sports performance. In this sense, many nutritional supplements that have been proven to improve recovery and physical and physiological performance are widely used. Supplements such as nitrates (NO₃⁻), including organic foods such as beets, promote muscle recovery and relieve fatigue. This study aimed to comprehensively summarise the available literature on the effect of NO₃⁻ consumption on exercise-related fatigue and muscle damage. Methods: A systematic search was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) using electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). From a total of 1634 studies identified, 15 studies were included in this review. Results: Based on the review, NO₃⁻ intake provokes physiological and metabolic responses that could potentially boost exercise-related recovery. NO₃⁻ could improve recovery indicators related to strength, pain, inflammation, and muscle damage. Conclusions: Despite the relative proven effectiveness of NO₃⁻ on recovery after aerobic and anaerobic efforts, based on the heterogeneity of the procedures (e.g., dosage, chronic vs. acute intake, participants’ characteristics, variables and outcomes), it could be premature to suggest its extended use in sports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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16 pages, 1783 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Effects of Concurrent Training Combined with Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Ketogenic Diet on Body Composition and Aerobic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Yubo Wang, Kaixiang Zhou, Vienna Wang, Dapeng Bao and Junhong Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811542 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 6164

Abstract

(1) Background: Recently, studies have emerged to explore the effects of concurrent training (CT) with a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet (LCHF) on body composition and aerobic performance and observed its benefits. However, a large variance in the study design and observations is presented, which needs to be comprehensively assessed. We here thus completed a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the effects of the intervention combining CT and LCHF on body composition and aerobic capacity in people with training experience as compared to that combining CT and other dietary strategies. (2) Methods: A search strategy based on the PICOS principle was used to find literature in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Sport-discuss, and Medline. The quality and risk of bias in the studies were independently assessed by two researchers. (3) Result: Eight studies consisting of 170 participants were included in this work. The pooled results showed no significant effects of CT with LCHF on lean mass (SMD = −0.08, 95% CI −0.44 to 0.3, p = 0.69), body fat percentage (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI −0.66 to 0.08, p = 0.13), body mass (SMD = −0.21, 95% CI −0.53 to 0.11, p = 0.2), VO_2max (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.37, p = 0.95), and time (or distance) to complete the aerobic tests (SMD = −0.02, 95% CI −0.41 to 0.37, p = 0.1). Subgroup analyses also showed that the training background of participants (i.e., recreationally trained participants or professionally trained participants) and intervention duration (e.g., > or ≤six weeks) did not significantly affect the results. (4) Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that compared to other dietary strategies, using LCHF with CT cannot induce greater benefits for lean mass, body fat percentage, body mass, VO_2max, and aerobic performance in trained participants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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12 pages, 810 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Probiotics on the Performance of Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review

by Jara Díaz-Jiménez, Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez, Francisco Javier Ordoñez, Ignacio Rosety, Antonio Jesús Díaz, Manuel Rosety-Rodriguez, Miguel Ángel Rosety and Francisco Brenes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111576 - 4 Nov 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6758

Abstract

Background: Probiotic supplements contain different strains of living microorganisms that promote the health of the host. These dietary supplements are increasingly being used by athletes to improve different aspects such as athletic performance, upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), the immune system, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, etc. This study aimed to identify the current evidence on the management of probiotics in endurance athletes and their relationship with sports performance. Methods: A systematic review of the last five years was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Sportdiscus and Embase databases. Results: Nine articles met the quality criteria. Of these, three reported direct benefits on sports performance. The remaining six articles found improvements in the reduction of oxidative stress, increased immune response and decreased incidence of URTIs. There is little scientific evidence on the direct relationship between the administration of probiotics in endurance athletes and sports performance. Conclusions: Benefits were found that probiotics could indirectly influence sports performance by improving other parameters such as the immune system, response to URTIs and decreased oxidative stress, as well as the monitoring of scheduled workouts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Supplements for Exercise Performance and Recovery)

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