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1.
Dietary and Ergogenic Supplementation to Improve Elite Soccer Players' Performance.
Fernandes, H
Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2021;(4):197-203
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Soccer is an extremely competitive sport, where the most match important moments can be defined in detail. Use of ergogenic supplements can be crucial to improve the performance of a high-performance athlete. Therefore, knowing which ergogenic supplements are important for soccer players can be an interesting strategy to maintain high level in this sport until final and decisive moments of the match. In addition, other supplements, such as dietary supplements, have been studied and increasingly referenced in the scientific literature. But, what if ergogenic supplements were combined with dietary supplements? This review brings some recommendations to improve performance of soccer athletes on the field through dietary and/or ergogenic supplements that can be used simultaneously. SUMMARY Soccer is a competitive sport, where the match important moments can be defined in detail. Thus, use of ergogenic supplements covered in this review can improve performance of elite soccer players maintaining high level in the match until final moments, such as creatine 3-5 g day-1, caffeine 3-6 mg kg-1 BW around 60 min before the match, sodium bicarbonate 0.1-0.4 g kg-1 BW starting from 30 to 180 min before the match, β-alanine 3.2 and 6.4 g day-1 provided in the sustained-release tablets divided into 4 times a day, and nitrate-rich beetroot juice 60 g in 200 mL of water (6 mmol of NO3- L) around 120 min before match or training, including a combination possible with taurine 50 mg kg-1 BW day-1, citrulline 1.2-3.4 g day-1, and arginine 1.2-6 g day-1. Key Messages: Soccer athletes can combine ergogenic and dietary supplements to improve their performance on the field. The ergogenic and dietary supplements used in a scientifically recommended dose did not demonstrate relevant side effects. The use of various evidence-based supplements can add up to further improvement in the performance of the elite soccer players.
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Nutrition Knowledge of Collegiate Athletes in the United States and the Impact of Sports Dietitians on Related Outcomes: A Narrative Review.
Riviere, AJ, Leach, R, Mann, H, Robinson, S, Burnett, DO, Babu, JR, Frugé, AD
Nutrients. 2021;(6)
Abstract
In the last decade, the number of full-time registered dietitians (RDs) serving intercollegiate athletes in the United States has more than quadrupled. However, many student athletes may be at increased risk of nutrition-related problems that impact physical and academic performance, which include inadequate macronutrients, inadequate micronutrients, and excessive macronutrients. This narrative review reports the current literature to date on nutrition-related knowledge in collegiate athletes and the impact of sports RDs on student athletes' nutrition knowledge and behaviors. To date, only observational and quasi-experimental studies have been published with regard to changes in nutrition knowledge and behaviors in NCAA athletes. While these studies report benefits of the RD as a member of the interdisciplinary student athlete support team, more well-designed randomized control trials are warranted to determine benefits related to health outcomes and sport-specific performance outcomes.
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Where are all the men? Low energy availability in male cyclists: A review.
Schofield, KL, Thorpe, H, Sims, ST
European journal of sport science. 2021;(11):1567-1578
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Abstract
Most of the low energy availability (LEA) research has been conducted in female populations. The occurrence of LEA in male athletes is not well known, even with an understanding of the components involved in and contributing to LEA. Cycling is a major risk factor for LEA due to inherent sports characteristics: low impact, high energy demands, and a common perception that leanness is a performance advantage. The purpose of this review is to discuss the cycling-specific studies that have documented components of RED-S. The review demonstrates male cyclists (1) experience energy deficits daily, weekly and throughout a season; (2) exhibit lower bone mineral density at the spine compared to the hip, and low bone mineral density correlating with LEA and; (3) demonstrate downregulation of the endocrine system with elevated cortisol, reduced testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1. The complexity of LEA is further explored by the socio-psychological contribution that may impact eating behaviours, and therefore increase the risk of developing LEA. Future research directions include applying multifaceted research methods to gain a greater understanding of this syndrome and the effect of LEA on male cyclists.
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[Fraud in nutritional supplements for athletes: a narrative review].
Martínez-Sanz, JM, Mata, F, Sala Ripoll, M, Puya Braza, JM, Martínez Segura, A, Sánchez Oliver, AJ, Cortell Tormo, JM
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2021;(4):839-847
Abstract
The use of nutritional supplements (NSs) is a widespread practice in both professional and amateur athletes. Their choice must be based on criteria of safety, legality, and effectiveness. There are several risks that some of these products can trigger, this being a reason for fraud to the consumer. By way of example, the presence of a legal substance in doses higher than its recommendation may cause unwanted side effects; on the other hand, its presence in quantities lower than necessary (effective threshold) may not have the effect expected or announced by the product. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the existence of fraud in relation to nutritional labeling and/or to the content of NSs intended for athletes. A narrative review was conducted through PubMed in which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results show that nutritional labeling differs from the actual amounts of ingredients. This type of fraud has been found in protein powder supplements, pre-workout mixtures, creatine, and beverages containing vitamins and minerals, among others. Fraud due to errors in the labeling by omission of substances present in the product or by errors in the analysis or declaration of quantities, is high. This lack of transparency in the actual composition of labels can contribute to sports performance and/or health problems in the athlete. Therefore, an improvement of the legislation on NS is necessary to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and legality.
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What Model of Nutrition Can Be Recommended to People Ending Their Professional Sports Career? An Analysis of the Mediterranean Diet and the CRON Diet in the Context of Former Athletes.
Hołowko-Ziółek, J, Cięszczyk, P, Biliński, J, Basak, GW, Stachowska, E
Nutrients. 2020;(12)
Abstract
Athletes who retire from their sporting career face an increase in body weight, leading to overweight or obesity. Simultaneously, a significant number of these athletes meet the criteria of metabolic syndrome. The available literature does not offer clearly defined standards of nutrition for the discussed group of people. In this situation, it seems advisable to develop different standards of dietary behavior typical of athletes finishing their sports careers. For this purpose, the study analyzed two types of diets: the Mediterranean diet and the Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition (CRON) diet based on significant calorie restrictions. Both diets seem to meet the requirements of this group of people.
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Eating Disorders in Athletes: From Risk Management to Therapy.
Milano, W, Milano, L, Capasso, A
Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. 2020;(1):2-14
Abstract
BACKGROUND Balanced sporting activity should be considered a resource in the treatment of eating disorders (ED), in particular of the BED and in obesity and, if conducted and guided by expert preparers and rehabilitators, in some forms of anorexia and in bulimia. OBJECTIVE To assess the role of excessive physical activity, predominantly interfering with daily activities by ultimately resulting in greater energy consumption leading to weight loss, and study the diagnostic criteria of bulimia and anorexia nervosa. METHODS A number of literature studies also report the presence of ED among athletes. A 2004 study reported that the prevalence of eating disorders in sports would be 13.5% compared to 4.5% of the control subjects. RESULTS In general, nutrition is used as a tool for improving performance not only of athletes but also of technicians and coaches. But in the presence of factors of vulnerability towards ED, the tendency to manipulate the weight can result in an eating disorder or the so-called athletic anorexia or the RED-S. CONCLUSION It is important to emphasize that not only do professional athletes suffer from it, but also good-looking amateurs and laypersons.
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Eating Disorders in Male Athletes.
Eichstadt, M, Luzier, J, Cho, D, Weisenmuller, C
Sports health. 2020;(4):327-333
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Abstract
CONTEXT Eating disorders (EDs) in male athletes are potentially debilitating disorders with significant medical, psychological, and athletic performance consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Searches were performed across PubMed, EBSCOhost, and PSYCinfo from 1990 to 2019. Keywords searched were eating disorder, male, athlete, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, muscularity, muscle dysmorphia, and sports. Search results included articles written in the English language and encompassed reviews, empirical studies, and theoretical articles. STUDY DESIGN Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. RESULTS EDs among male athletes may lead to serious negative outcomes, including increased susceptibility to injury, inconsistent performance, problematic recovery, muscle deficiencies, impairment of optimal athletic functioning, and medical, social, and emotional problems. Male athletes with EDs may be more difficult to identify and diagnose for a variety of reasons related to differential presentation of symptoms, secretiveness or shame around behaviors, and sex-related stigma. CONCLUSION Professionals working closely with athletes are uniquely positioned to identify and screen those who may require further evaluation and treatment.
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Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes' Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle.
Tayech, A, Mejri, MA, Makhlouf, I, Mathlouthi, A, Behm, DG, Chaouachi, A
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;(22)
Abstract
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease that has spread globally, resulting in the ongoing pandemic. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19. Preventive measures to reduce the chances of contagion consist mainly of confinement, avoiding crowded places, social distancing, masks, and applying strict personal hygiene as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). After the first wave of infection in many countries, the potential effects of relaxing containment and physical distancing control measures suggest that as a result of these measures, a second wave of COVID-19 appears probable in these countries. In sport, the period of self-isolation, and quarantine, for COVID-19 affects the physical preparation of athletes as well as their mental health and quality of life to an even greater extent (i.e., nutrition, sleep, healthy lifestyle), and thus, relevant and practical recommendations are needed to help alleviate these physical and mental health concerns. Our review aims to summarize the physiological and psychological effects of detraining associated with athletes' confinement during the proposed second wave of COVID-19. This article also proposes answers to questions that concern the advantages and disadvantages of different types of social media platforms, the importance of nutrition, and the effects of sleep disturbance on the health and modified lifestyle of athletes during this worldwide pandemic. Thus, this review provides some general guidelines to better manage their modified lifestyle and optimally maintain their physical and mental fitness with respect to measures taken during this restrictive proposed second wave of the COVID-19 confinement period.
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The application of mental fatigue research to elite team sport performance: New perspectives.
Russell, S, Jenkins, D, Smith, M, Halson, S, Kelly, V
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2019;(6):723-728
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mental fatigue resulting from prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity, has been found to impair endurance exercise performance and performance in some sport-specific tasks. The application of such research to the elite sporting environment however is limited. DESIGN & METHODS This article reviews the literature relevant to mental fatigue and team sporting performance with aim to provide perspectives on the transferability and significance of currently available evidence to the applied elite sporting context. RESULTS Inconsistent findings in the limited available literature can be attributed to large variations in the participants involved, the nature of the cognitively demanding tasks used to induce mental fatigue and the tests used to assess performance outcomes. Few studies have used trained athletes in combination with performance tests that accurately represent the physiological and technical demands experienced by athletes in competition. While there is growing interest in the acute influence of mental fatigue on exercise performance, a potential cumulative effect of mental fatigue on performance over, for example, a competitive season is an area yet to be investigated. CONCLUSIONS If it is accepted that mental fatigue impairs the performance of some athletes, then improving the ecological validity of research in the area of mental fatigue and sport will significantly advance our understanding of how to better monitor and manage mental fatigue. At the elite level of competition, where outcomes are determined by very small margins of difference, reducing the impact of mental fatigue on performance has potential to be significant.
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A Narrative Review on Female Physique Athletes: The Physiological and Psychological Implications of Weight Management Practices.
Alwan, N, Moss, SL, Elliott-Sale, KJ, Davies, IG, Enright, K
International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. 2019;(6):682-689
Abstract
Physique competitions are events in which aesthetic appearance and posing ability are valued above physical performance. Female physique athletes are required to possess high lean body mass and extremely low fat mass in competition. As such, extended periods of reduced energy intake and intensive training regimens are used with acute weight loss practices at the end of the precompetition phase. This represents an increased risk for chronic low energy availability and associated symptoms of relative energy deficiency in sport, compromising both psychological and physiological health. Available literature suggests that a large proportion of female physique athletes report menstrual irregularities (e.g., amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea), which are unlikely to normalize immediately postcompetition. Furthermore, the tendency to reduce intakes of numerous essential micronutrients is prominent among those using restrictive eating patterns. Following competition, reduced resting metabolic rate, and hyperphagia, is also a concern for these female athletes, which can result in frequent weight cycling, distorted body image, and disordered eating/eating disorders. Overall, female physique athletes are an understudied population, and the need for more robust studies to detect low energy availability and associated health effects is warranted. This narrative review aims to define the natural female physique athlete, explore some of the physiological and psychological implications of weight management practices experienced by female physique athletes, and propose future research directions.