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Nutrients
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The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance
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The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2026 | Viewed by 8714

Editors

Dr. Marco Malaguti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: biochemistry of nutrition; nutraceuticals; dietary supplements; sport science; nutrition for health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cristina Angeloni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: nutritional biochemistry; neurodegenerative diseases; oxidative stress; inflammation; nutraceuticals; ageing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Raúl Domínguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
2. Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Brazil
Interests: sports nutrition; muscle function; cardiorespiratory responses; ergogenic aids; diet
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Elite athletes’ performance has reached such high levels that the gap between competitors has become minimal. All factors that can contribute to determining performance have thus received increased attention, which explains why sport nutrition has become a central topic in the field of sport sciences.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality studies, including original research articles and reviews with different experimental designs. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews focusing on how various dietary/supplementation strategies affect athletic performance, recovery, training adaptation, and injury prevention will also be considered. Particular attention will be given to sex-based differences. Although growing evidence suggests that physiological and hormonal factors may modulate the metabolic and functional responses to nutritional interventions, research in this area remains limited. Another primary focus will be the timing of nutrient and supplement intake, an aspect that can critically affect energy availability, performance outcomes, and recovery efficiency. Moreover, contributions exploring the roles of specific macro- and micronutrients, bioactive compounds, and anti-inflammatory strategies in supporting long-term performance sustainability and musculoskeletal health are welcome.

Overall, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of how nutritional strategies can optimize performance and reduce injury risk among both female and male athletic populations.

Dr. Marco Malaguti
Prof. Dr. Cristina Angeloni
Prof. Dr. Raúl Domínguez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sport nutrition
  • athletic performance
  • sport supplements
  • gender
  • energetic metabolism
  • exercise metabolism
  • ergogenic aids
  • physical performance
  • nutrient timing
  • injury prevention
  • training adaptation
  • post-exercise recovery

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1216 KB  
Article
Effects of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Selected Isokinetic Performance Variables in Physically Active Men
by Jakub Jurga, Jarosław Kabaciński, Anna Fryzowicz and Michał Murawa
Nutrients 2026, 18(14), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18142377 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 412
Abstract
Background: Dietary nitrate may enhance skeletal muscle performance by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Although its benefits for endurance exercise are well documented, less is known about its effects on isokinetic strength and power performance. This study examined the effects of acute nitrate ingestion [...] Read more.
Background: Dietary nitrate may enhance skeletal muscle performance by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Although its benefits for endurance exercise are well documented, less is known about its effects on isokinetic strength and power performance. This study examined the effects of acute nitrate ingestion on isokinetic performance, neuromuscular activity, and metabolic responses in physically active men. Methods: Thirteen physically active young men (25.0 ± 5.2 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. During separate experimental sessions, participants consumed either nitrate-rich beetroot juice containing 800 mg of nitrate or a low-nitrate placebo. Following a 2 h absorption period, they performed isokinetic knee extension–flexion tests at angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s. Surface electromyography was recorded from the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis oblique muscles, and blood lactate concentrations were measured before and after exercise. Results: Nitrate supplementation significantly improved peak torque, relative peak power, and selected torque angle variables at 60°/s and 180°/s compared with placebo (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed during the 240°/s fatigue protocol (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in electromyographic parameters or post-exercise blood lactate concentration. Similarly, post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were comparable between treatments (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Acute dietary nitrate supplementation may improve selected isokinetic performance variables during low- and moderate-velocity contractions, whereas no significant effects were observed during the 240°/s fatigue protocol. No changes were detected in electromyographic parameters or post-exercise blood lactate concentration. The physiological mechanisms underlying these findings remain to be established. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance)
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Review

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25 pages, 849 KB  
Review
Creatine Supplementation in Endurance and Mixed-Sport Contexts: A Scoping Review of Performance, Recovery, and Body Composition
by Igor Wesołowski, Jacek Dzienisiewicz, Dorota Langa, Wiesław Ziółkowski, Joanna Karbowska and Zdzislaw Kochan
Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111677 - 24 May 2026
Viewed by 3105
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although creatine monohydrate is widely recognized as an effective ergogenic aid in strength and power sports, its role in endurance and mixed-sport disciplines remains less clearly established. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence regarding the effects of creatine [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although creatine monohydrate is widely recognized as an effective ergogenic aid in strength and power sports, its role in endurance and mixed-sport disciplines remains less clearly established. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence regarding the effects of creatine supplementation on performance, recovery-related outcomes, and body composition in endurance and mixed-sport contexts. Methods: A scoping review of randomized controlled trials published between 1996 and 2025 was conducted. Eligible studies evaluated creatine supplementation in endurance and mixed-sport contexts, including both sport-specific and broader exercise populations when the exercise protocol, testing model, or outcomes were relevant to endurance or mixed-sport performance, recovery, or body composition. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Outcomes were categorized into exercise performance, biochemical markers related to recovery and exercise stress, and body composition parameters. Results: Creatine supplementation was most often associated with reported favorable changes in repeated-sprint performance and high-intensity power output, particularly during intermittent, sprint-based, or power-endurance tasks. Several studies reported favorable changes in sprint performance, peak power, or total work output relative to placebo or baseline values in cycling, swimming, rowing, and canoeing/kayaking protocols, although findings were not uniform across studies and not all favorable within-group changes were placebo-superior. Some studies also reported favorable changes in end-phase sprint capacity during prolonged exercise. Findings related to recovery were less consistent. Selected studies reported reductions in inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), whereas markers of muscle damage showed mixed responses. Most supplementation protocols involved a 5–7-day loading phase of 20 g/day, occasionally followed by a maintenance dose of 2–5 g/day. Small increases in total body mass were commonly observed, while evidence regarding fat-free mass and aerobic outcomes remained limited or inconsistent. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that creatine supplementation may be most relevant in selected endurance and mixed-sport contexts involving repeated high-intensity efforts, sprint finishes, or power-endurance demands, rather than for endurance performance broadly. In contrast, evidence for recovery-related biochemical responses, body composition changes, and aerobic adaptations remains equivocal. Further well-controlled, sport- or context-specific, and field-based studies are needed to better clarify the role of creatine in endurance and mixed-sport exercise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance)
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15 pages, 624 KB  
Review
Gut Microbiota Profile and the Impact of Probiotic Supplementation in Competitive Cyclists: A Scoping Review
by Giacomo Belmonte, Marco Gervasi, Deborah Agostini, Sabrina Donati Zeppa, Eugenio Formiglio, Irene Rosa Di Mitri, Eneko Fernández-Peña, Alessia Bartolacci, Vilberto Stocchi, Antonio Paoli, Antonino Bianco and Antonino Patti
Nutrients 2026, 18(6), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060991 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1552
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The recent discovery of the importance of gut microbiota has enhanced our understanding of several issues related to energy metabolism, immune systems, and post-exercise recovery, which could have an impact on sports performance. Probiotics are used as sports supplements and have [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The recent discovery of the importance of gut microbiota has enhanced our understanding of several issues related to energy metabolism, immune systems, and post-exercise recovery, which could have an impact on sports performance. Probiotics are used as sports supplements and have recently been proposed to be effective in reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections during training and competition. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the gut microbiota composition of competitive cyclists and investigate the effect of probiotic administration in this sports population. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus, and all studies until 1 November 2025 were considered. After dual-reviewer screening, data were charted to identify the composition of gut microbiota and the effects of probiotics on these types of athletes. Results: After all the study identification phases, eleven studies were selected. Seven studies evaluated the composition of the gut microbiota, while four randomized controlled trials evaluated probiotic intake. The results indicate an abundance of Prevotella distinct for this type of athlete, which could facilitate the metabolism of glucose and short-chain fatty acids. Among the four main areas of improvement identified in relation to probiotics, a 16-week multi-strain supplementation protocol showed improved aerobic performance and exertion rate in amateur cyclists. Conclusions: Despite the limited number of studies, certain microbiota traits could be identified in competitive cyclists, which may correspond to their high metabolic rate. Although further strain standardized studies are needed on professional cyclists, the data could indicate that certain probiotic supplementation may be an effective addition for competitive cyclists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance)
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Other

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34 pages, 1037 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Low-Carbohydrate and Ketogenic Diets on Anaerobic Performance in Competitive Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mateusz Gawelczyk, Jakub Chycki, Adam Maszczyk and Adam Zając
Nutrients 2026, 18(10), 1589; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101589 - 16 May 2026
Viewed by 2578
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Low-carbohydrate (LCD) and ketogenic diets (KD) are increasingly adopted by athletes due to their ability to enhance fat oxidation and induce metabolic adaptations. While their effects on aerobic power and capacity have been widely investigated, their influence on anaerobic performance remains unclear. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Low-carbohydrate (LCD) and ketogenic diets (KD) are increasingly adopted by athletes due to their ability to enhance fat oxidation and induce metabolic adaptations. While their effects on aerobic power and capacity have been widely investigated, their influence on anaerobic performance remains unclear. Given the strong dependence of high-intensity exercise on glycolytic metabolism and muscle glycogen availability, carbohydrate restriction may have significant implications for short-duration maximal efforts and repeated high-intensity exercise. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of LCD and KD on anaerobic performance outcomes in trained athletes. Methods: A comprehensive search of five electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) identified 13 unique studies (yielding 15 study-level entries across three anaerobic performance domains) meeting comprehensive inclusion criteria. Individual study sample sizes ranged from n = 5 to n = 65 participants, reflecting substantial inter-study variability that should be considered when interpreting pooled estimates. Outcomes included peak and mean power output, repeated sprint performance, blood lactate responses, and markers of substrate utilization. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, and meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models where appropriate. Results: Overall, the effects of carbohydrate-restricted diets on anaerobic performance were domain-specific. Some studies reported maintained or slightly improved peak power during single maximal efforts, while others showed no effect. Impairments were more consistently observed in repeated high-intensity exercise. Repeated sprint performance was impaired in several studies, likely reflecting reduced muscle glycogen availability and limited glycolytic ATP production. Carbohydrate restriction consistently increased fat oxidation and was associated with lower blood lactate concentrations during high-intensity exercise. Random-effects meta-analyses yielded domain-specific pooled effect sizes: maintained-to-slightly-improved anaerobic power output (Cohen’s d = +0.29; 95% CI: −0.08 to +0.66), modestly impaired repeated sprint ability (d = −0.33; 95% CI: −0.80 to +0.14), and a large, consistent reduction in blood lactate concentration (d = −0.89; 95% CI: −1.20 to −0.58). Given substantial between-study heterogeneity in intervention durations (2 days to 12 weeks), dietary composition, athlete populations, and outcome measures (1RM, Wingate, CMJ within the power domain; varied protocols within the RSA and lactate domains), these pooled estimates should be interpreted as exploratory rather than confirmatory. Conclusions: LCD and KD appear to have domain-specific effects on anaerobic performance in trained athletes. Although single, short-duration efforts may be preserved in some contexts, repeated, high-intensity performance appears to be more susceptible to impairment. These findings highlight the importance of aligning dietary strategies with the metabolic demands of training and competition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake on Sports Performance)
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