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Antioxidants in Athletes - NED Infobite
BANT's scientific NED InfoBites are designed to provide key elements of the latest research using plain language. They provide quick overviews on particular health issues and nutrition topics for a speedy introduction to the science. Visually attractive and easily shareable with clients and social media followers.
2024
Abstract
Intense exercise that competitive sports athletes participate in can negatively affect their pro-oxidative-antioxidant status. This NED Infobite brings research on various antioxidant compounds with potential to prevent adverse changes.
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Nutrition and Endurance Sport - NED Infobite
BANT's scientific NED InfoBites are designed to provide key elements of the latest research using plain language. They provide quick overviews on particular health issues and nutrition topics for a speedy introduction to the science. Visually attractive and easily shareable with clients and social media followers.
2024
Abstract
Adequate nutrition is important for elite athletes, as nutrient availability influences energy expenditure, body composition, performance and exercise-induced immune responses. This NED Infobite includes science on the use of dietary nitrates, caffeine and probiotics as well as the impacts of time-restricted feeding.
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Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Athletes: A Systematic Review.
Fernandes, MSS, Fidelis, DEDS, Aidar, FJ, Badicu, G, Greco, G, Cataldi, S, Santos, GCJ, de Souza, RF, Ardigò, LP
Nutrients. 2023;15(18)
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The amount of exercise required by elite athletes can put the body under stress. In this instance, the diet cannot mitigate for the level of nutrition required to maintain athletic performance and so supplements may be required. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is present in the body and required for optimal functioning of parts of the cells that produce energy. It is also available in supplemental form and this systematic review of 17 studies aimed to determine the impact of CoQ10 supplementation on body composition and athletic performance. The results showed that body composition, and athletic performance were unaffected by CoQ10 supplementation. However, antioxidant capacity, fatigue, and liver function were improved. It was concluded that CoQ10 supplementation can reduce fatigue and improve athletic performance but has no effect on aerobic capacity. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to justify the use of CoQ10 by athletes who are failing to get sufficient dietary nutrition and would like to increase their athletic performance.
Abstract
BACKGROUND To summarize available evidence in the literature on the impacts of CoQ10 supplementation on metabolic, biochemical, and performance outcomes in athletes. METHODS Six databases, Cochrane Library (33 articles), PubMed (90 articles), Scopus (55 articles), Embase (60 articles), SPORTDiscus (1056 articles), and Science Direct (165 articles), were researched. After applying the eligibility criteria, articles were selected for peer review independently as they were identified by June 2022. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022357750). RESULTS Of the 1409 articles found, 16 were selected for this systematic review. After CoQ10 supplementation, a decrease in oxidative stress markers was observed, followed by higher antioxidant activity. On the other hand, lower levels of liver damage markers (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) were identified. Finally, we found a reduction in fatigue indicators such as Creatine Kinase (CK) and an increase in anaerobic performance. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review concludes that supplementation with orally administered CoQ10 (30-300 mg) was able to potentiate plasma antioxidant activity and anaerobic performance, reducing markers linked to oxidative stress and liver damage in athletes from different modalities aged 17 years old and older.
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Prevalence of Female and Male Vegan and Non-Vegan Endurance Runners and the Potential Associations of Diet Type and BMI with Performance-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1).
Wirnitzer, K, Tanous, D, Motevalli, M, Wirnitzer, G, Leitzmann, C, Pichler, R, Rosemann, T, Knechtle, B
Nutrients. 2022;14(18)
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Endurance running is a popular sport around the world and has increased in popularity by 57% in the last decade. Nutrition is an important variable to consider but recommendations on what athletes should eat are inconsistent among major sports and nutritional bodies. The popularity of plant-based diets is spreading fast and vegan/vegetarian diets are currently booming in recreational and competitive sports. There have been several studies looking at endurance performance and vegan/vegetarian diets but the results are inconclusive. It is therefore important to provide data to support training and nutritional strategies and to examine the associations between diet type and running-related characteristics in a large sample of vegan and non-vegan endurance runners. The purpose of this study is to investigate vegetarian and mixed diet type prevalence among distance runners at running events and associations with running-related patterns and performance. 2864 runners took part from around the world and completed an online questionnaire. The results show that vegan and vegetarian diets may be appropriate for participating in distance running activities. However, significant associations were identified between omnivore diet participants and best average time to finish across a range of disciplines. Findings from this investigation may provide beneficial evidence for sport scientists, trainers, coaches, and nutrition specialists when advising vegan and vegetarian distance runners, however more detailed research is needed.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate vegetarian and mixed diet type prevalences among distance runners at running events around the world and associations with running-related patterns and performance. Following a cross-sectional approach, linear regression analyses were carried out to identify potential associations among body mass index (BMI), diet type, and average best performance times of half-marathon and marathon events for males and females. From a sample of 3835 runners who completed an online questionnaire, 2864 all-distance runners (age: 37 years; 57% females) were included in inferential analyses and categorized into dietary subgroups according to self-reports: 994 vegans (34.7%), 598 vegetarians (20.9%), and 1272 omnivores (44.4%). Significant associations were identified between kind of diet and best average time to finish (i) half-marathons in females where vegans (p = 0.001) took longer than omnivores, (ii) half-marathons in males where vegans (p < 0.001) and vegetarians (p = 0.002) took longer than omnivores, and (iii) marathons in males where vegans (p < 0.001) and vegetarians (p = 0.043) averaged slower than omnivores. Increased units of BMI (+1.0) in males influenced best runtimes: 2.75 (3.22-2.27) min slower for HM and 5.5 (5.69-4.31) min slower for M. The present study did not take detailed confounders into account such as runner motives or training behaviors; however, the results may provide valuable insight for running event organizers, nutrition experts, coaches, and trainers advising runners who adhere to a general diet type regarding the basic question of who participates in running events around the world.
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Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Mitochondrial Respiration and Physical Performance in Middle-Aged Athletes: A Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hadanny, A, Hachmo, Y, Rozali, D, Catalogna, M, Yaakobi, E, Sova, M, Gattegno, H, Abu Hamed, R, Lang, E, Polak, N, et al
Sports medicine - open. 2022;8(1):22
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) utilizes 100% oxygen in an environmental pressure higher than one absolute atmosphere. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intermittent HBOT protocol on maximal physical performance and its effect on mitochondrial function in middle-aged master athletes. This study is a double-blind, randomized, 1:1 ratio, placebo-controlled study of healthy middle-aged master athletes. Thirty-seven healthy master athletes, aged 40–50, who performed aerobic sports at least four times a week at moderate-high performance were enrolled in the study. Results show that HBOT may significantly enhance physical performance beyond training in healthy master athletes. Moreover, HBOT may directly improve mitochondrial respiration and increase mitochondrial mass. Thus, the main improvements include maximal oxygen consumption, power and the anaerobic threshold. Authors conclude that HBOT can enhance physical performance in healthy adults.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used to increase endurance performance but has yet to be evaluated in placebo-controlled clinical trials. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intermittent HBOT protocol on maximal physical performance and mitochondrial function in middle-aged master athletes. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 37 healthy middle-aged (40-50) master athletes was performed between 2018 and 2020. The subjects were exposed to 40 repeated sessions of either HBOT [two absolute atmospheres (ATA), breathing 100% oxygen for 1 h] or SHAM (1.02ATA, breathing air for 1 h). RESULTS Out of 37 athletes, 16 HBOT and 15 SHAM allocated athletes were included in the final analysis. Following HBOT, there was a significant increase in the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2Max) (p = 0.010, effect size(es) = 0.989) and in the oxygen consumption measured at the anaerobic threshold (VO2AT)(es = 0.837) compared to the SHAM group. Following HBOT, there were significant increases in both maximal oxygen phosphorylation capacity (es = 1.085, p = 0.04), maximal uncoupled capacity (es = 0.956, p = 0.02) and mitochondrial mass marker MTG (p = 0.0002) compared to the SHAM sessions. CONCLUSION HBOT enhances physical performance in healthy middle-age master athletes, including VO2max, power and VO2AT. The mechanisms may be related to significant improvements in mitochondrial respiration and increased mitochondrial mass. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03524989 (May 15, 2018).
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Effects of Probiotics on Anxiety, Stress, Mood and Fitness of Badminton Players.
Salleh, RM, Kuan, G, Aziz, MNA, Rahim, MRA, Rahayu, T, Sulaiman, S, Kusuma, DWY, Adikari, AMGCP, Razam, MSM, Radhakrishnan, AK, et al
Nutrients. 2021;13(6)
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Exercise has been shown to improve fitness, wellbeing, and health. However, strenuous exercise may be detrimental physiologically, as well as affecting psychological health. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of daily probiotic supplementation on anxiety, stress, mood and fitness levels among competitive badminton players. This study was a randomised, placebo-controlled study. Recruited participants (n=30) were randomly divided into the probiotic group and the control group. The participants were given treatments for six weeks without altering the training schedule of the athletes. Results showed that stress and anxiety in badminton players could be alleviated with the daily consumption of probiotics for six weeks. Additionally, probiotics supplementation increased aerobic capacity. Authors conclude that probiotic supplements could be beneficial for athletes to enhance their mental state and physical performance. Thus, probiotic supplementation that may influence the regulation of pathways (neuro-endocrine) and mechanism of action in response to physical and psychological stressors encountered by badminton players should further studied.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports of probiotic consumption on athletes' performance are debatable due to their equivocal results. There is a need for more evidence on the effects of probiotic intake on psychological state and fitness level. Thus, this study determined the effects of daily probiotic consumption on competitive anxiety, perceived stress and mood among university badminton players, besides their fitness like aerobic capacity, strength, speed, leg power and agility. METHODS Thirty university badminton players aged from 19 to 22 years old were randomly divided equally into two groups, where the probiotic group (PG; n = 15) received a drink that contained Lactobacillus casei Shirota (3 × 1010 CFU) and placebo group (CG; n = 15) a placebo drink for six weeks. Anxiety, stress and mood levels were determined using the CSAI-2R, PSS and BRUMS questionnaires, respectively. Fitness levels were measured using by subjecting the players to 20-m shuttle runs (aerobic capacity), handgrips (muscular strength), vertical jumps (leg power), 40-m dash (speed) and T-test (agility). The Student's t-test (p < 0.05) was used to determine the differences between PG and CG players. RESULTS After six weeks, the anxiety and stress levels of PG players significantly decreased by 16% (p < 0.001) and 20% (p < 0.001), respectively, but there were no significant changes detected in CG players. Supplementation of probiotics also improved aerobic capacity in PG players by 5.9% (p < 0.001) but did not influence the speed, strength, leg power and agility. CONCLUSIONS Probiotics supplementation showed improved aerobic capacity and relieve anxiety and stress. However, further studies need to be carried out to determine the mechanisms through which probiotic intake produces these effects.
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The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Athlete Performance: A Critical and Systematic Review.
Meignié, A, Duclos, M, Carling, C, Orhant, E, Provost, P, Toussaint, JF, Antero, J
Frontiers in physiology. 2021;12:654585
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A one size fits all approach is impossible as athletes often respond differently to a given training stimulus, and the training load required for adaptation may differ significantly between sexes. Ideally, any individualized approach to preparation necessitates methods suited to each athlete’s needs in addition to technical and scientific expertise and resources. In fact, there is substantial interindividual variability leading to menstrual disturbance and it seems to be more frequent among elite athletes. This study is a review which focuses on research studies in elite athletes directly investigating the effects of menstrual cycle (MC) phases on performance parameters such as endurance or power resistance, symptoms linked to MC, ligament stiffness, decision making skills, and/or competitiveness (desire to compete and training motivation). Seven studies were included in the review with a total of 314 females. Results show that links between exercise performance and MC cannot be consistently identified from the present findings. The limited number of studies (including their study design) make these available studies challenging to transpose to the elite field. Authors conclude that there is a clear lack of evidence-based recommendations on training individualisation according to the menstrual cycle. Thus, solid conclusions regarding the impact of the MC for elite athletes cannot be formulated.
Abstract
Background: In elite athletes, training individualization is widely recommended to optimize competitive performance. Previous studies have evidenced the impact of hormonal fluctuations on different performance parameters among female athletes. While consideration of menstrual cycle (MC) phases as a parameter in training individualization strategies is necessary, systematic evidence identifying such impacts in elite athletes should be evaluated. Objective: Systematically review publications that have investigated the link between MC phases and performance in elite female athletes. The overarching aim is to identify whether a consensus across studies exists enabling evidence-based recommendations for training individualization depending on menstrual cycle phases. Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three major scientific publication databases were searched from inception until November 3, 2020. Studies included focused on the influence of physiological or psychological parameters throughout at least one phase of the menstrual cycle of elite athletes. Results: A total of 780 search results were yielded and 26 references from a past bibliography were added manually. About 662 papers were reviewed of which 218 studies were assessed for eligibility. Of these, only seven (1%) precisely investigated the influence of a performance or physical parameter during at least one menstrual cycle phase. These seven studies included a total of 314 elite female participants (20.58 ± 1.91 years). Three used interviews, questionnaires or prospective analyses of reports. Four conducted several performance tests or included physical measures although only two performed tests during training or before/during competition. Among the seven studies, five performed hormonal testing through sampling of blood, saliva, or urine. The remaining relied on athletes' menstruation diaries. The current evidence suggests a variable association between menstrual cycle and a few performance-related outcomes, such as endurance or power resistance, ligament stiffness, decision making skills, psychology, or competitiveness. Conclusion: Different sports performance-related parameters are affected during the menstrual cycle among elite athletes, but the parameters themselves and the magnitude and the direction of the effects are inconclusive. Additional longitudinal and prospective studies to systematically monitor on-field performance parameters are urgently required in order to enable recommendations and training individualization in female elite athletes.
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Manipulation of Dietary Intake on Changes in Circulating Testosterone Concentrations.
Zamir, A, Ben-Zeev, T, Hoffman, JR
Nutrients. 2021;13(10)
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Androgens, like testosterone, are steroid hormones commonly associated with reproduction. However, they also govern metabolic functions, body composition and growth. Higher levels of circulating androgens enhance athletic performance by supporting metabolic activities such as protein production, regeneration and growth and by inhibiting breakdown processes. Manipulating testosterone to enhance athletic performance without the use of anabolic steroids hormones has been of much interest. As macro-and micronutrients can influence androgen hormones, this review examined whether specific energy and nutrient intake can ‘naturally’ manipulate testosterone levels. The authors describe the metabolic functions of testosterone before exploring the current evidence on selected plant extracts and nutrients and their impact on aromatase activity. Inhibiting aromatase can prevent androgens from being converted into oestrogen and thus may help to raise circulating androgens. Discussed are a range of plant-derived compounds, flavonoids, macronutrients and micronutrients (Vitamin D, Zinc and Magnesium) and their impact on testosterone levels. The authors conclude that the nutrients discussed have some supportive evidence, yet overall findings are inconclusive due to limited studies. Regarding macronutrients more research is available, and the evidence supports that low energy intake negatively impacts testosterone levels and performance. Whereby supplementation of vitamins crucial to testosterone production seems to provide value in cases of deficiency further research is required. This article yields an overview of plant compounds, macro-and micronutrients and their potential impact on circulating testosterone levels. While low energy intake and nutrient deficiencies appears to be unfavourable, the absence of clear evidence on other compounds would warrant further case-specific investigations.
Abstract
Elevations in the circulating concentration of androgens are thought to have a positive effect on the anabolic processes leading to improved athletic performance. Anabolic-androgenic steroids have often been used by competitive athletes to augment this effect. Although there has been concerted effort on examining how manipulating training variables (e.g., intensity and volume of training) can influence the androgen response to exercise, there has been much less effort directed at understanding how changes in both macronutrient and micronutrient intake can impact the androgen response. Thus, the focus of this review is to examine the effect that manipulating energy and nutrient intake has on circulating concentrations of testosterone and what the potential mechanism is governing these changes.
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Differential Health Effects on Inflammatory, Immunological and Stress Parameters in Professional Soccer Players and Sedentary Individuals after Consuming a Synbiotic. A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.
Quero, CD, Manonelles, P, Fernández, M, Abellán-Aynés, O, López-Plaza, D, Andreu-Caravaca, L, Hinchado, MD, Gálvez, I, Ortega, E
Nutrients. 2021;13(4)
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Synbiotic, a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics, is known to improve neurotransmitter interactions, immune, inflammatory, and stress responses by modulating the gut microbial composition. It is also believed that physical activity plays an important role in the modulation of immune function and stress response. The purpose of this triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was to evaluate the health benefits of symbiotic intervention in fourteen sedentary students and thirteen soccer players, especially in terms of improving immunophysiological and metabolic parameters. The 300mg of symbiotic intervention contained Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, Bifidobacterium longum ES1(109 colony-forming unit), and fructooligosaccharides (200 mg) plus 1.5 mg of zinc, 8.25 µg of selenium, 0.75 µg of vitamin, and maltodextrin. Following a one-month intervention with synbiotic formulation, soccer players showed improvements in anxiety, sleep quality and stress, a slight reduction in proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, an exercise-induced significant increase in dopamine and a slight elevation of corticotropin-releasing hormone. For confirmation of results of this pilot study and to assess more significant effects of symbiotic intervention in athletes as well as in the general population, longer-term robust studies are required. The findings of this study can help healthcare professionals understand the extensive health benefits of synbiotic intervention and its relationship to physical activity.
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to carry out an experimental study, triple-blind, on the possible immunophysiological effects of a nutritional supplement (synbiotic, Gasteel Plus®, Heel España S.A.U.), containing a mixture of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, and Bifidobacterium longum ES1, as well as the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, on both professional athletes and sedentary people. The effects on some inflammatory/immune (IL-1β, IL-10, and immunoglobulin A) and stress (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol) biomarkers were evaluated, determined by flow cytometer and ELISA. The effects on metabolic profile and physical activity, as well as on various parameters that could affect physical and mental health, were also evaluated via the use of accelerometry and validated questionnaires. The participants were professional soccer players in the Second Division B of the Spanish League and sedentary students of the same sex and age range. Both study groups were randomly divided into two groups: a control group-administered with placebo, and an experimental group-administered with the synbiotic. Each participant was evaluated at baseline, as well as after the intervention, which lasted one month. Only in the athlete group did the synbiotic intervention clearly improve objective physical activity and sleep quality, as well as perceived general health, stress, and anxiety levels. Furthermore, the synbiotic induced an immunophysiological bioregulatory effect, depending on the basal situation of each experimental group, particularly in the systemic levels of IL-1β (increased significantly only in the sedentary group), CRH (decreased significantly only in the sedentary group), and dopamine (increased significantly only in the athlete group). There were no significant differences between groups in the levels of immunoglobulin A or in the metabolic profile as a result of the intervention. It is concluded that synbiotic nutritional supplements can improve anxiety, stress, and sleep quality, particularly in sportspeople, which appears to be linked to an improved immuno-neuroendocrine response in which IL-1β, CRH, and dopamine are clearly involved.
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Development of Maximal Dynamic Strength During Concurrent Resistance and Endurance Training in Untrained, Moderately Trained, and Trained Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Petré, H, Hemmingsson, E, Rosdahl, H, Psilander, N
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). 2021;51(5):991-1010
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Athletes often require a combination of both strength and endurance in their chosen sport. As a result, a training programme which has both endurance and strength exercises within the same training period has become popular and is known as concurrent training. However, there are conflicting studies on the effectiveness of this way of training for athletic performance. This systematic review of 27 studies aimed to determine the overall effect of concurrent training on athletic performance based on the results of several studies and whether the time between training types could influence the effect. The results showed that leg press and squat exercises were negatively affected in trained individuals, but only if they were performed within the same training session. This was not evident in untrained and moderately trained individuals. It was concluded that in trained athletes, the performance of endurance and strength training within the same session can have a detrimental effect on lower body strength development. This study could be used by professionals to recommend that trained individuals separate endurance and strength training when increased strength is the goal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of concurrent training on the development of maximal strength is unclear, especially in individuals with different training statuses. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis study was to compare the effect of concurrent resistance and endurance training with that of resistance training only on the development of maximal dynamic strength in untrained, moderately trained, and trained individuals. METHODS On the basis of the predetermined criteria, 27 studies that compared effects between concurrent and resistance training only on lower-body 1-repetition maximum (1RM) strength were included. The effect size (ES), calculated as the standardised difference in mean, was extracted from each study, pooled, and analysed with a random-effects model. RESULTS The 1RM for leg press and squat exercises was negatively affected by concurrent training in trained individuals (ES = - 0.35, p < 0.01), but not in moderately trained ( - 0.20, p = 0.08) or untrained individuals (ES = 0.03, p = 0.87) as compared to resistance training only. A subgroup analysis revealed that the negative effect observed in trained individuals occurred only when resistance and endurance training were conducted within the same training session (ES same session = - 0.66, p < 0.01 vs. ES different sessions = - 0.10, p = 0.55). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the novel and quantifiable effects of training status on lower-body strength development and shows that the addition of endurance training to a resistance training programme may have a negative impact on lower-body strength development in trained, but not in moderately trained or untrained individuals. This impairment seems to be more pronounced when training is performed within the same session than in different sessions. Trained individuals should therefore consider separating endurance from resistance training during periods where the development of dynamic maximal strength is prioritised.