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Sports
Special Issues
Current Research in Applied Sports Nutrition
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Current Research in Applied Sports Nutrition

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 3764

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jamie McAllister-Deitrick

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Kinesiology, CMC College of Health and Human Performance Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, USA
Interests: sports nutrition; sport psychology; mindfulness in sports performance; sport-related injury; concussions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Optimal nutrition is a cornerstone of athletic performance, directly influencing energy levels, recovery, muscle growth, and overall health. However, recent research suggests athletes may not be well educated in appropriate sport nutrition and dietary behavior, which could directly impact athletic performance and recovery, sleep quality, body composition, body image, and overall well-being.

This Special Issue aims to highlight groundbreaking research, innovative practices, and emerging trends that advance our understanding of how nutrition influences athletic performance, recovery, and long-term health. We invite authors to contribute original research, reviews, and case studies on topics such as macronutrient strategies, supplementation, hydration, gender-specific considerations, sport-specific dietary demands, and the possible psychological impact on body image. Contributions that incorporate novel methodologies, personalized nutrition approaches, or technological advancements in monitoring dietary behavior are especially encouraged. By publishing in this Special Issue, authors will have the opportunity to shape the discourse in sport nutrition and provide valuable insights to athletes, coaches, and sports professionals worldwide.

Dr. Jamie McAllister-Deitrick
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • sports nutrition
  • athletic performance
  • recovery in sport
  • body image in athletes
  • dietary behavior in athletes

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 248 KB  
Article
Assessment of Nutritional Status, Health Parameters, Body Composition, and Their Predictors in Lebanese Taekwondo Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Maha Hoteit, Maroun Khattar, Jennifer Derassoyan, Yara Abou Khalil, Amal Haidar, Rana Baroud, Habib Zarifeh, Fadi Kibbeh, Nathalie Jbeily, Hassan Karaki, Nikolaos Tzenios and Zahra Sadek
Sports 2025, 13(8), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13080264 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 433
Abstract
Background: Taekwondo (TKD) athletes’ nutritional and health statuses and body composition are critical to their physical performance and overall fitness. In Lebanon, TKD is widely practiced; however, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the nutritional and health profiles of its [...] Read more.
Background: Taekwondo (TKD) athletes’ nutritional and health statuses and body composition are critical to their physical performance and overall fitness. In Lebanon, TKD is widely practiced; however, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the nutritional and health profiles of its athletes. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, anemia prevalence, body composition, and other health-related characteristics, among Lebanese TKD athletes. Additionally, it explored the determinants of normal hemoglobin (Hb) levels, blood pressure, normal muscle mass, and normal fat mass. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2023, involving 110 TKD athletes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured to assess anemia, while body composition was evaluated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Blood pressure was also recorded. Household dietary diversity was assessed using the Food Consumption Score, and additional data on sociodemographic factors, training frequency, and supplement or medication use were gathered through a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression models were applied to identify predictors of normal Hb levels, hypertension, and optimal muscle and fat mass. Results: Results showed that male athletes had significantly higher rates of normal Hb (p-value = 0.013) and muscle mass percentages (p-value < 0.001), while females had higher rates of normal blood pressure (p-value = 0.002) and were more likely to use iron supplements (p-value = 0.002) and painkillers (p-value = 0.041). Normal fat mass was positively associated with normal Hb levels (aOR: 11.98, p-value = 0.033). Female gender was linked to a lower likelihood of normal muscle mass (aOR: 0.13, p-value < 0.001) and hypertension (aOR: 0.19, p-value = 0.009). Higher training duration (10 h or more per week) (aOR: 3.46, p-value = 0.04) and normal BMI (aOR: 4.93, p-value = 0.003) were positively associated with normal muscle mass. Normal BMI (aOR: 14.68, p-value < 0.001) was positively associated with normal fat mass. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of individualized dietary interventions to enhance athletes’ overall health and performance, through the optimization of athletes’ body composition, and the prevention of deficiencies, especially iron deficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Applied Sports Nutrition)
16 pages, 908 KB  
Article
Melatonin Supplementation Enhances Next-Day High-Intensity Exercise Performance and Recovery in Trained Males: A Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study
by Nourhène Mahdi, Slaheddine Delleli, Arwa Jebabli, Khouloud Ben Maaoui, Juan Del Coso, Hamdi Chtourou, Luca Paolo Ardigò and Ibrahim Ouergui
Sports 2025, 13(6), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060190 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2919
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sleep and recovery are critical for optimising exercise performance. However, the efficacy of melatonin supplementation in improving sleep quality and next-day physical performance remains unclear. This study examined the effects of melatonin ingestion on sleep and performance-related outcomes the following day in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sleep and recovery are critical for optimising exercise performance. However, the efficacy of melatonin supplementation in improving sleep quality and next-day physical performance remains unclear. This study examined the effects of melatonin ingestion on sleep and performance-related outcomes the following day in trained males. Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 12 trained males (age: 21.92 ± 2.84 years) ingested 6 mg of melatonin (MEL) or a placebo (PLA) the night before performing the 5 m shuttle test (5mSRT). Before and after the 5mSRT, blood samples were collected. Peak heart rate (HRpeak) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout the test. Perceived recovery status (PRS) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were measured before, 5 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the test. The sleep/wake cycle was monitored during the night after ingestion. Results: Data were analysed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and two-way ANOVAs, with significance set at p < 0.05. Compared to PLA, MEL did not modify any sleep parameters or blood markers (all p > 0.05). However, MEL improved total distance, fatigue index, the percentage decrement between sprints, and HRpeak (all p < 0.05) in the 5mSRT compared to PLA. MEL also enhanced PRS values up to 72 h post-exercise and reduced DOMS (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, 6 mg of melatonin taken at night enhanced next-day high-intensity exercise performance and improved perceived recovery up to 72 h post-exercise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Applied Sports Nutrition)
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