Effects of a Dietary Microalgae (Arthrospira platensis) Supplement on Stress, Well-Being, and Performance in Water Polo Players: A Clinical Case Series.

Nutrients. 2024;16(15)
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Dietary supplementation has become a popular strategy among athletes to enhance physical performance, reduce fatigue, and accelerate recovery. Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), a blue-green microalga, has gained attention due to its high protein content, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant properties. The primary aim was to investigate the impact of the spirulina and copper supplement on stress, well-being, and performance in water polo players. This study was a clinical case series involving 20 male water polo players. The participants were divided into two groups: one group received the spirulina supplement, while the other group received a placebo. Results showed that the spirulina group showed a significant increase in their Athlete’s Subjective Performance Scale (ASPS) scores from baseline to follow-up, compared to the placebo group, which saw a slight decrease. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between spirulina supplementation and reduced severity of ASPS scores. However, the levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), a biomarker for muscle damage, showed only slight differences from baseline to follow-up in the spirulina group. The authors concluded that a dietary supplement containing spirulina and copper may improve subjective performance measures and reduce muscular tension in water polo players. However, larger, randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Abstract

BACKGROUND A common tactic used by athletes to improve performance, lessen tiredness, and hasten recovery is dietary supplementation. We aimed to assess the role of a microalgae dietary liquid supplement additivated with Copper 22.5% NRV in water polo players' performance. METHODS Twenty male water polo players were split into two groups: ten (spirulina group) took a twice-daily nutritional supplement containing 15 mL of spirulina liquid extract (titrated in Phycocyanin 1 mg/mL) and additivated with Copper 22.5% NRV for eight weeks, and ten (the placebo group) did not take the supplement. Subjective evaluations were finished using the Athlete's Subjective Performance Scale (ASPS). Levels of the biomarker creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were also assessed. RESULTS The spirulina group's mean total ASPS score increased significantly from baseline to follow-up and was significantly better than that of the placebo group (p < 0.001). Conversely, ASPS ratings in the placebo group slightly decreased. A positive correlation between spirulina supplementation and less severe ASPS was found using correlation matrix analysis. However, there was a slight difference in CPK levels from the baseline to the follow-up in the spirulina group. CONCLUSIONS A dietary supplement comprising spirulina and copper may help water polo players' subjective performance measurements by lowering muscular tension. Larger, randomized controlled trials are yet required.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Immune and inflammation ; Structural
Environmental Inputs : Nutrients ; Physical exercise ; Microorganisms
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Exercise and movement
Functional Laboratory Testing : Blood

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 3
Allocation concealment : Yes

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