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The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise...
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The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Hot Environments

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2025) | Viewed by 8197

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mark Waldron

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre of Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK
Interests: nutrition; thermal physiology; sports performance; dietary supplementation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Whilst the performance-enhancing effects of some nutritional strategies or dietary supplementation regimes are well established, there remains limited evidence or guidance for their use among athletes performing in hot conditions. This is concerning, as improper preparation for training camps or competitions in extreme conditions can have detrimental effects, including heat illness and compromised training capacity. Given that many major international sports competitions take place in extreme conditions, evidence-based guidance is necessary. This Special Issue invites articles investigating or reviewing the potential benefits or risks of adopting specific nutritional practises for exercise performance in the heat. This includes dietary ergogenic aids/supplements, nutraceuticals, or selected dietary patterns.

Dr. Mark Waldron
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sports supplements
  • dietary supplements
  • ergogenic aids
  • fuelling
  • heat
  • humidity
  • thermal stress
  • hyperthermia
  • nutrients
  • nutraceuticals
  • climate

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1719 KiB  
Article
A Snapshot of Vitamin D Status, Performance, Blood Markers, and Dietary Habits in Runners and Non-Runners
by Francesco Pegreffi, Sabrina Donati Zeppa, Marco Gervasi, Eneko Fernández-Peña, Giosuè Annibalini, Alessia Bartolacci, Eugenio Formiglio, Deborah Agostini, Claudia Barbato, Piero Sestili, Antonino Patti, Vilberto Stocchi and Rosa Grazia Bellomo
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3912; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223912 - 15 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D can influence athletic performance and infection risk. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status, hematochemical factors, anthropometric and performance parameters, and dietary habits in runners (n = 23) and sedentary healthy individuals (non-runners, n = 22) during the autumn [...] Read more.
Background: Vitamin D can influence athletic performance and infection risk. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status, hematochemical factors, anthropometric and performance parameters, and dietary habits in runners (n = 23) and sedentary healthy individuals (non-runners, n = 22) during the autumn season. Methods: Both groups had their serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (ng/mL) levels, blood and performance parameters, and dietary habits measured. Results: Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in non-runners (runners: males 30.0 ± 5.6, females 31.2 ± 5.2 vs. non-runners: males, 22.8 ± 6.5, females 24.7 ± 6.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001). White blood cells, monocyte, and neutrophil levels were higher in non-runners for both males and females. Among the subjects, 23 had optimal vitamin D levels (>29 ng/mL), while 22 had insufficient/deficient levels (<29 ng/mL), with a higher prevalence of insufficiency in non-runners compared to runners (63.6% vs. 34.8%; p = 0.053). Maximal isometric force and jump height were equal in both groups, but VO2max was higher in runners. Linear regression analysis identified monocyte count as the only predictor of vitamin D levels for both males (y = −24.452 x + 40.520; R2 = 0.200; p = 0.015) and females (y = −33.409 x + 45.240; R2 = 0.368; p = 0.003). Conclusions: This study highlights significant differences in vitamin D status between runners and non-runners, with runners exhibiting higher serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels, although this finding is likely due to the increased sun exposure that runners receive. It also provides valuable insights into the vitamin D status of healthy young sedentary individuals and runners, enhancing the understanding of how physical activity influences vitamin D levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Hot Environments)
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13 pages, 1326 KiB  
Article
Assessing Energy Availability and Glucose Dynamics in Adolescent Cyclists: Implications for Nutritional Interventions During the Competitive Season
by Matteo Tarocchi, Alessio Pellegrino, Kristina Skroce, Andrea Zignoli, Letizia Clara Cavadini, Chiara Bodini, Giuditta Pagliai, Loira Toncelli, Laura Stefani, Simone Vanni, Maria Boddi, Alessandra Modesti and Pietro Amedeo Modesti
Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223824 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1605
Abstract
Background: The risk of developing a state of low energy availability (LEA) (<30 kcals/kg free-fat mass) in endurance athletes is known and recommendations for nutrition are available. However, information on male adolescent cyclists and the influence of hot temperatures is limited. Objectives: The [...] Read more.
Background: The risk of developing a state of low energy availability (LEA) (<30 kcals/kg free-fat mass) in endurance athletes is known and recommendations for nutrition are available. However, information on male adolescent cyclists and the influence of hot temperatures is limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on energy availability of two 4-day nutritional intervention strategies: (1) supplementary carbohydrate (CHO) intake during exercise and (2) designing and implementing individual nutritional interventions. Methods: Each intervention was preceded by a 4-day basal assessment. Eight competitive male junior road cyclists (aged 16–17 years) were investigated using a 4-day diet and activity records, alongside bioelectric impedance analysis. Their real-time power output, interstitial glucose, and temperature were recorded via sensors and a bike computer. Their energy intake (EI) was estimated from daily, self-reported food diaries. Results: Overall, 100% and 71% of the cyclists were in a state of LEA during the baseline assessment of the supplementary CHO and nutritional interventions, respectively. LEA prevalence, not modified by supplementary CHO intake alone (from 100% to 87%, ns), was markedly reduced by the individual nutritional intervention (from 71% to 14%, p < 0.05). When considering all the data as a whole, LEA was positively influenced by the training load (OR 1.06; 95% Cl 1.03 to 1.09) and free-fat mass (OR 1.46; 1.04 to 2.04) and was negatively affected by EI (OR 0.994; 0.991 to 0.997). A hot environment (air temperature) failed to influence the LEA or glucose dynamics. Conclusions: the nutritional intervention, but not the supplementary CHO intake, markedly reduced the prevalence of LEA in adolescents, who often fail to match their energy expenditure with their energy intake during the competitive season. Nutritional education is essential for adolescent endurance cycling teams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Hot Environments)
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22 pages, 4819 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Caffeine on Exercise in Hot Environments: A Bibliometric Study
by Hansen Li, Ying Yang, Qian Liu, Liming Liu, Guodong Zhang, Xing Zhang, Mingyue Yin and Yang Cao
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3692; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213692 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2727
Abstract
Background: Caffeine is widely recognized as an ergogenic aid to enhance athletic performance, yet its effects in hot environments remain relatively underexplored. Aims: To provide a comprehensive overview of the research landscape and identify research themes in this field. Methods: We systematically searched [...] Read more.
Background: Caffeine is widely recognized as an ergogenic aid to enhance athletic performance, yet its effects in hot environments remain relatively underexplored. Aims: To provide a comprehensive overview of the research landscape and identify research themes in this field. Methods: We systematically searched the Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS databases using keywords related to caffeine (e.g., caffe*), hot environments (e.g., heat, hot, or therm*), and athletic performance (e.g., cardio, endurance, or strength). The Bibliometrix package in R was used for bibliometric analysis and result visualization, while a narrative review was subsequently performed to identify research themes. Results: We found that studies examining the impact of caffeine on exercise in hot conditions are relatively sparse and have progressed slowly in recent years. Research in this domain has predominantly been concentrated within an academic network led by Professor Lawrence Armstrong. Recent contributions have been sporadically made by emerging scholars, with collaborations largely confined to a few research groups and countries. Key research themes identified include exercise performance, thermoregulation, fluid balance, physiological responses, immune responses, synergistic effects with other compounds, and the influence of individual differences. Of these, the first three themes—exercise performance, thermoregulation, and fluid balance—have received the most attention. Conclusions: Caffeine’s effects on exercise performance in hot environments have not been thoroughly studied. The existing research themes are varied, and the conclusions show considerable inconsistencies. Our study highlights the need for further research into the effects of caffeine dosage, administration methods, and population-specific variables. We also call for increased collaboration among research groups to advance scientific understanding and address the gaps in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Hot Environments)
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Review

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27 pages, 3873 KiB  
Review
The Influence of Dietary Supplements on Exercise-Induced Gut Damage and Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Robyn Aitkenhead, Mark Waldron, Gillian E. Conway, Katy Horner and Shane M. Heffernan
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030443 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2225
Abstract
Endurance exercise, especially under heat stress, temporarily compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier in healthy individuals. Consequently, there is growing interest in developing effective dietary strategies to alleviate exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and gut damage. This meta-analysis investigated the effects of dietary supplements [...] Read more.
Endurance exercise, especially under heat stress, temporarily compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier in healthy individuals. Consequently, there is growing interest in developing effective dietary strategies to alleviate exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and gut damage. This meta-analysis investigated the effects of dietary supplements on mitigating these challenges. The search was performed in November 2024 following PRISMA guidelines, and 26 peer-reviewed studies were included across three meta-analyses: (1) gastrointestinal symptoms, (2) circulating intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (i-FABP), and (3) exercise performance. The moderating effect of variables was assessed via sub-group analysis and meta-regression. Overall, there was no pooled effect of supplement interventions on gastrointestinal symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.42, 95% CI −0.17: 1.02, p = 0.15), and probiotics had a moderate significant effect for gastrointestinal symptoms (Hedges’ g = −0.62, 95% CI −1.01; 1.01, p = 0.05). There was a significant increase in i-FABP concentrations pre- to post exercise (∆ 106%; Hedges’ g = 1.01, 95% CI 0.63; 1.38, p = 0.01). There were no pooled or sub-group differences for exercise performance for any supplements (p = 0.53). Moderate-to-large heterogeneity was observed across studies (I2 ≥ 58.6%), and candidate moderators (exercise duration, modality, and environmental temperature) had no significant effect on any outcomes (p > 0.05). A significant increase in circulating i-FABP during exercise was observed. However, when examining the effects of different supplement categories, although significance was observed for a select few supplements, the changes in i-FABP, gastrointestinal symptoms, and exercise performance were outside of clinical relevance. Although probiotics showed a moderate significant effect for gastrointestinal symptoms, the conflicting findings across studies may have been due to inadequate control of confounding variables across studies. Further research is required to assess the alternative dietary supplements’ effects on gastrointestinal health and exercise performance, particularly under varied environmental conditions, where more rigorous control for cofounding factors is implemented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Strategies or Dietary Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Hot Environments)
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