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Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2020) | Viewed by 40256

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Adam Zając

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Guest Editor

1. Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
2. Department of Sports Training, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Interests: strength and power training; training loads; nutrition and peak performance; body composition and exercise metabolism
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Dear Colleagues,

Most sport disciplines that include short explosive activities or repeated sprint abilities derive their energy through anaerobic processes. They include athletics sprints, jumps and throws, most combat sports and team sport games, yet the contribution of particular energetic pathways are very diversified. On one hand, this may include the resynthesis of ATP from CrP in very short activities performed with maximal intensity (100 m sprint), on the other CrP replenishment during bouts of repeated high-intensity exercise (basketball), as well as sport activities requiring speed endurance, where anaerobic glycolysis provides the majority of ATP for muscular contractions (400 m sprint). All these metabolic processes can be enhanced through diet and supplementation. This may include creatine, beta-alanine, vitamin D, caffeine, beetroot juice, sodium bicarbonate, or highly alkaline water. Dietary procedures can relate to pre-competition, competition, and post-competition nutrition, as well as to interventions altering body composition.

Prof. Adam Zając
Guest Editor

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Keywords

anaerobic metabolism
strength and power
supplements
buffering

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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9 pages, 253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Placebo Effect of Caffeine on Maximal Strength and Strength Endurance in Healthy Recreationally Trained Women Habituated to Caffeine

by Aleksandra Filip-Stachnik, Michal Krzysztofik, Magdalena Kaszuba, Agata Leońska-Duniec, Wojciech Czarny, Juan Del Coso and Michal Wilk

Nutrients 2020, 12(12), 3813; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123813 - 13 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4817

Abstract

Background: By using deceptive experimental designs, several investigations have observed that trained individuals may increase their performance when told they were given caffeine, when in fact they received a placebo (i.e., the placebo effect of caffeine). However, most of these investigations on the placebo effect of caffeine used individuals with low caffeine consumption or did not report habitual caffeine consumption, especially in studies analyzing resistance-based exercise. Hence, it is unknown if habitual caffeine consumers benefit from the placebo effect of caffeine on exercise performance. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the placebo effect of caffeine on maximal strength and strength-endurance performance during the bench press exercise (BP) in women with mild–moderate daily consumption of caffeine. Methods: Thirteen resistance-trained women (BP one-repetition maximum (1RM) = 40.0 ± 9.7 kg) habituated to caffeine (4.1 ± 1.7 mg/kg/day) completed a deceptive randomized experimental design with two experimental trials. On one occasion, participants were told that they would receive 6 mg/kg of caffeine but received a placebo (PLAC), and on other occasions, participants did not receive any substance and were told that this was a control situation (CONT). In each experimental trial, participants underwent a 1RM BP test and a strength-endurance test consisting of performing the maximal number of repetitions at 50% of their 1RM. Results: In comparison to CONT, PLAC did not enhance 1RM (40.0 ± 10.5 kg vs. 41.0 ± 9.5 kg, respectively; p = 0.10), nor did it enhance the number of repetitions (32.2 ± 5.1 vs. 31.8 ± 4.5; p = 0.66) or mean power (130 ± 34 vs. 121 ± 26; p = 0.08) in the strength-endurance test. Conclusion: Informing participants that they were given caffeine, when in fact they received a placebo, did not modify any performance variable measured in this investigation. Thus, the use of the placebo effect of caffeine seemed an ineffective strategy to enhance muscle strength and strength endurance during the BP exercise in women with mild–moderate consumption of caffeine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

14 pages, 387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of a Short Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Athletes

by Karla Vázquez-Espino, Carles Fernández-Tena, Maria Antonia Lizarraga-Dallo and Andreu Farran-Codina

Nutrients 2020, 12(11), 3561; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113561 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6975

Abstract

Weak evidence exists on the relationship between nutritional knowledge and diet quality. Many researchers claim that this could be in part because of inadequate validation of the questionnaires used. The aim of this study was to develop a compact reliable questionnaire on nutrition knowledge for young and adult athletes (NUKYA). Researchers and the sport clubs medical staff developed the questionnaire by taking into consideration the latest athlete dietary guidelines. The questionnaire content was validated by a panel of 12 nutrition experts, and finally tested by 445 participants including athletes (n = 264), nutrition students (n = 49) and non-athletes with no formal nutrition knowledge (n = 132). After consulting the experts, 59 of the 64 initial items remained in the questionnaire. To collect the evaluation of experts, we used the content validity index, obtaining high indices for relevance and ambiguity (0.99) as well as for clarity and simplicity (0.98). The final questionnaire included 24 questions with 59 items. We ensured construct validity and reliability through psychometric validation based on the Classical Test Theory and the Item–Response Theory (Rasch model). We found significant statistical differences comparing the groups of nutrition knowledgeable participants with the rest of the groups (ANOVA p < 0.001). We verified the questionnaire for test–retest reliability (R = 0.895, p < 0.001) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s

α = 0.849

). We successfully fit the questionnaire data to a rating scale model (global separation reliability of

0.861

) and examined discrimination and difficulty indices for items. Finally, we validated the NUKYA questionnaire as an effective tool to appraise nutrition knowledge in athletes. This questionnaire can be used for guiding in educational interventions, studying the influence of nutrition knowledge on nutrient intake and assessing/monitoring sport nutritional knowledge in large groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

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12 pages, 640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Long-Term Magnesium Creatine Chelate Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Ability (RAST) in Elite Soccer Players

by Adam Zajac, Artur Golas, Jakub Chycki, Mateusz Halz and Małgorzata Magdalena Michalczyk

Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 2961; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102961 - 28 Sep 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5758

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of 16 weeks of a low dose of magnesium creatine chelate supplementation on repeated sprint ability test (RAST) results in elite soccer players. Materials: Twenty well-trained soccer players participated in the study. The players were divided randomly into two groups: the supplemented group (SG = 10) and placebo group (PG = 10). Out of the 20 subjects selected for the study, 16 (SG = 8, PG = 8) completed the entire experiment. The SG ingested a single dose of 5500 mg of magnesium creatine chelate (MgCr-C), in 4 capsules per day, which was 0.07 g/kg/d. The PG received an identical 4 capsules containing corn starch. Before and after the study, the RAST was performed. In the RAST, total time (TT), first and sixth 35 m sprint length (s), average power (AP) and max power (MP) were measured. Additionally, before and after the test, lactate LA (mmol/L) and acid–base equilibrium pH (-log(H⁺)), bicarbonates HCO₃⁻ (mmol/L) were evaluated. Also, in serum at rest, creatinine (mg/dL) concentration was measured. Results: After the study, significantly better results in TT, AP and MP were observed in the SG. No significant changes in the RAST results were observed in the PG. After the study, significant changes in the first 35 m sprint, as well as the sixth 35 m sprint results were registered in the SG, while insignificant changes occurred in the PG. A significantly higher creatinine concentration was observed. Also, a higher post-RAST concentration of LA, HCO₃⁻ and lower values of pH were observed in April, May and June compared with baseline values. Conclusions: The long timeframe, i.e., 16 weeks, of the low dose of magnesium creatine chelate supplementation improved the RAST results in the SG. Despite the long period of MgCr-C supplementation, in the end of the study, the creatinine level in the SG reached higher but still reference values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

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14 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Vitamin D₃ Supplementation on Physical Capacity among Active College-Aged Males

by Sylwester Kujach, Dariusz Lyzwinski, Maciej Chroboczek, Dawid Bialowas, Jedrzej Antosiewicz and Radoslaw Laskowski

Nutrients 2020, 12(7), 1936; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071936 - 30 Jun 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6749

Abstract

Vitamin D₃ supplementation can affect strength and power; however, the effect on both aerobic and anaerobic performance remains unclear. Here, we investigate the effects of eight weeks of a high dose of vitamin D₃ supplementation and its impact on circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D₃) concentrations and selected indicators of physical capacity. Subjects (n = 28, age 21.1 ± 1.6) were divided into two groups: supplemented (SUP), which was given 6000 IU of vitamin D₃ daily for eight weeks; and placebo group (PLA). Serum 25-OH-D₃ concentrations were determined in pre- and post-intervention. Aerobic (

\dot{V}

O_2max test) and anaerobic (Wingate Anaerobic Test) capacity were determined before and after the supplementation. The mean baseline concentration of 25-OH-D₃ was recognized as deficient (20 ng/mL) and significantly increased over time in the supplemented group (p < 0.01, η² = 0.86), whilst it remained unchanged in the placebo group. Moreover, the supplementation caused a significant improvement in maximal aerobic (p < 0.05, η² = 0.27) and anaerobic power (p < 0.01, η² = 0.51) whereas no changes were observed in PLA group. The

\dot{V}

O_2max differences were also significant in the supplemented group (p < 0.05). In summary, the changes in aerobic and anaerobic capacity observed in this study were associated with a serum concentration of 25-OH-D₃. Our data imply that vitamin D₃ supplementation with a dose of 6000 IU daily for eight weeks is sufficient to improve physical capacity and vitamin D₃ status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

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10 pages, 442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Betaine Supplementation Does not Improve Muscle Hypertrophy or Strength Following 6 Weeks of Cross-Fit Training

by Tatiana Moro, Francesca Badiali, Iader Fabbri and Antonio Paoli

Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061688 - 5 Jun 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6598

Abstract

We aim to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of betaine supplementation on body composition and muscle performance during CrossFit© training. Twenty-nine subjects matched for training status (4.16 ± 0.95 day/week) and body fat mass (12.66 ± 4.08%) were randomly assigned to a betaine (BET; N = 14) or placebo group (PLA; N = 15). Body composition and cellular hydration were estimated with skinfolds measurement and bioelectrical impendence before and after 6 weeks of training. Muscle performance was assessed using three different tests: 3-RM back-squat for muscle strength, 2 km rowing test for aerobic capacity and Bergeron Beep Test for anaerobic capacity. Muscle strength assessed during back squat significantly increased in BET (p = 0.04) but not in the PLA group, however, there were no statistical differences between groups. Although not significant, fat mass was reduced in BET compared to PLA. Overall, body composition and cell hydration measurements did not change in response to training or betaine supplementation. Short-term (6 weeks) betaine supplementation supports muscle strength but was not ergogenic for trained subjects to aerobic and anaerobic performance in the CrossFit©-specific test. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

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6 pages, 996 KiB

Open AccessDiscussion

Inconsistency in the Ergogenic Effect of Caffeine in Athletes Who Regularly Consume Caffeine: Is It Due to the Disparity in the Criteria That Defines Habitual Caffeine Intake?

by Aleksandra Filip, Michal Wilk, Michal Krzysztofik and Juan Del Coso

Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041087 - 15 Apr 2020

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 8639

Abstract

Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive substance in the world, and data suggests that it is widely used by athletes before competition to enhance physical and mental performance. The high number of athletes that regularly use caffeine suggests the need to investigate the effect of acute caffeine ingestion in athletes habituated to caffeine. However, most of the studies supporting this claim have used samples of athletes who do not consume caffeine on a regular basis, and with caffeine intake withdrawal prior to the experiments. A search through 19 databases conducted on habitual caffeine users was performed. The results of the studies regarding the ergogenic effect of caffeine in naïve vs. habitual caffeine consumers are contradictory. The diversity of results are likely associated with the use of different thresholds to categorize individuals as naïve or high caffeine consumers. There are no valid and standardized methods to accurately estimate the amount of caffeine ingested per day in athletes. We proposed a classification of athletes that habitually consume caffeine by using dietary questionnaires, and ultimately, to reduce the likelihood of discrepancies caused by the improper qualification of daily caffeine intake in studies directed at the assessment of acute caffeine intake in habitual caffeine consumers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategies for Improved Anaerobic Performance)

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