Search Results (603)

As modern competitive sports continue to evolve, athletes are under increasing pressure to optimize both performance and recovery. Sports supplements have therefore become widely used among athletes because of their purported benefits in enhancing athletic performance, delaying fatigue, and accelerating physiological recovery. However, misuse, excessive intake, and other inappropriate patterns of supplement use remain common in some athletes and may impair performance, compromise health, and increase the risk of anti-doping rule violations. Although existing research has largely focused on the ergogenic benefits of sports supplements, their potential health risks in athletes remain insufficiently characterized. This review summarizes the potential adverse effects of sports supplements on the endocrine, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems, with an emphasis on the underlying pathological mechanisms, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the evidence-based selection and responsible use of sports supplements in athletic populations. Full article

Sport-related food supplements are widely used by physically active individuals and athletes, but their chemical safety may vary with formulation, raw-material origin, and manufacturing practices. This study determined the mercury (Hg) content in 50 selected sports-related food supplements available on the Polish market and performed a screening exposure assessment based on the maximum manufacturer-recommended daily portion. Total Hg content was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry using an Advanced Mercury Analyzer AMA-254. The median Hg content was 9.008 µg/kg (interquartile range: 5.287–21.938 µg/kg; range: 0.395–51.694 µg/kg), and no statistically significant differences were found among supplement categories. All concentrations were below the European Union maximum level of 0.1 mg/kg for food supplements. For a 100 kg adult, all product-specific Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values were below 1 in the hypothetical 100% inorganic Hg scenario. In the conservative 100% methylmercury scenario, three gel products with maximum recommended intakes of 300 g/day yielded THQ values of 1.040–1.551, although their contributions to the tolerable weekly intake remained below 100% (55.98–83.51%). Because only total Hg was determined, these calculations represent bounding screening scenarios rather than species-specific risk estimates. The findings demonstrate that regulatory compliance based on Hg concentration should be complemented by serving-size-based exposure assessment and support continued monitoring and direct Hg speciation in high-consumption sports supplements. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rising prevalence of dietary supplement use among athletes raises concerns, given the risks associated with unnecessary or excessive use. This study evaluated the impact of a Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)-based online educational intervention, “Nutrition for Athletes”, on dietary supplement use among varsity athletes at a Canadian university. Methods: Thirty varsity athletes were randomized into intervention (n = 18) and control (n = 12) groups. The intervention was delivered online over four weeks and consisted of four units that covered topics related to sports nutrition, hydration in sports, dietary supplements, and risks associated with dietary supplement use. Dietary supplement use was measured at baseline and post-intervention using self-reported questionnaires. Results: The most commonly used supplements at baseline were vitamin D (57%), vitamin C (53%), sports drinks (50%), protein bars, powders, and shakes (43%), and whey protein (40%). Binary logistic regression revealed a reduced likelihood of dietary supplement use in the experimental group compared to the control group post intervention, but this difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.01 to 1.76, p = 0.14). There was also no significant change in the behaviour of dietary supplement use within the experimental group, when comparing baseline to post-intervention (OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.01 to 1.11, p = 0.06). Conclusions: These findings reflect the potential existence of an intention-behaviour gap. Future interventions may benefit from incorporating strategies that address control-related barriers. Full article

Background and Objectives: Evidence on the acute effects of caffeine in female team-sport athletes is limited. This study aimed to quantify the acute effects of caffeine on female team-sport athletes across physical performance, sport-specific performance, physiological responses, perceptual responses, and cognitive performance and determine moderators. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched for randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trials of acute, dose-defined caffeine in female team-sport athletes. Effect sizes were expressed as Hedges’ g and synthesized within each domain using a three-level CHE model with CR2 cluster-robust variance estimation and Satterthwaite degrees of freedom; 95% confidence intervals and prediction intervals were reported. Risk of bias (RoB 2), methodological quality (PEDro), and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were assessed. Results: Twenty-six studies were included, comprising 26 randomized, blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials. As a descriptive cross-domain summary, acute caffeine intake showed a small overall effect when all available domains were pooled (Hedges’ g = 0.24, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.35); however, because these domains represent different constructs, domain-specific estimates were considered the primary interpretable findings. For physical performance, caffeine showed a small favorable effect (g = 0.32, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.42), with statistical evidence for repeated sprint ability (g = 0.43), agility or change in direction (g = 0.42), sprint or speed performance (g = 0.39), anaerobic power (g = 0.30), and jumping performance (g = 0.29). For sport-specific performance, the pooled estimate indicated a small favorable effect but did not reach conventional statistical significance (g = 0.36, 95% CI: −0.01 to 0.73). Exploratory sub-indicator analyses, each based on only a few studies, suggested possible favorable directions for sport-specific locomotion or running performance (g = 0.46) and throwing or ball-speed outcomes (g = 0.19), whereas evidence was insufficient for shooting or scoring accuracy. Physiological outcomes were direction-aligned to the value conventionally regarded as favourable for each indicator (i.e., lower heart rate, lactate, and glucose), so that positive values denote the conventionally favourable direction; because the domain aggregates indicators of differing clinical desirability, its pooled value is a descriptive summary only and showed no clear domain-level direction (g = −0.05, 95% CI −0.31 to 0.21). The heart rate submetric showed a statistically detectable difference (g = −0.30), indicating that caffeine increased heart rate, the expected pharmacological response to a stimulant rather than an adverse effect; there were no clear effects on blood lactate or blood glucose. Perceptual responses improved modestly (g = 0.42), largely through reduced rating of perceived exertion (g = 0.35). Cognitive performance, based on only four studies with low degrees of freedom and wide uncertainty, showed a nonsignificant direction (g = 0.37) with no clear evidence for reaction time or cognitive accuracy, and these data should not be interpreted as showing that caffeine improves cognitive performance in female team-sport athletes. Exploratory moderator analyses did not provide statistically reliable evidence of moderation by caffeine dose, timing of intake, formulation or source, sport type, competitive level, habitual caffeine intake, or blinding status. Conclusions: Available evidence most consistently supports small, outcome-specific benefits of acute caffeine for physical performance and reduced perceived exertion. Evidence for sport-specific skills and cognitive outcomes remained uncertain, based on few studies per outcome and not supporting a general benefit. Current data do not support dose-, timing-, formulation-, habitual-intake-, sport-, or population-stratified recommendations. Future trials should be adequately powered, prospectively report menstrual-cycle phase, hormonal-contraceptive use, habitual caffeine intake, and adverse symptoms, and verify the integrity of blinding. Full article

Background: Nutrition knowledge (NK) may influence dietary behaviours and athlete health; however, limited research has examined the relationship between NK and risk of low energy availability (LEA) in female team sport athletes. Objective: This study aimed to assess NK and LEA risk in female Ladies Gaelic Football (LGF) players and to examine the relationship between these variables. Results: Female LGF players (n = 58) aged 18–35 years completed a 75-item online questionnaire comprising the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ) and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). Mean total ANSKQ score was 53.1 ± 7.6%, categorized as “average”, while the mean sport nutrition knowledge (SNK) score was 48.2 ± 8.5%, categorized as “poor”. Lower micronutrient knowledge scores were observed among younger players and those with lower educational attainment (p < 0.05), while players with prior nutrition education demonstrated greater supplement-related knowledge (p < 0.05). Overall, 56.9% of the participants were classified as being at risk of LEA according to LEAF-Q criteria. LEA risk differed according to playing level and nutrition education status (p < 0.05); however, no association between overall NK and LEA risk was identified. Players identified as being at risk of LEA also demonstrated greater menstrual dysfunction and injury-related absence. Conclusions: These findings indicate a high prevalence of LEA risk and suboptimal sport NK among female LGF players and suggest that NK alone may be insufficient to protect against LEA risk in female team sport athletes. Ongoing screening, nutrition education, and broader athlete support strategies are therefore warranted in this population. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants increasingly detected in foods, beverages, and food-contact materials, making dietary intake a relevant route of human exposure. In sports nutrition, this issue may be particularly important because athletes often have high food and fluid consumption, frequent use of packaged sports nutrition products, dietary supplements, bottled beverages, and sport-specific hydration strategies. This narrative review, supported by a structured literature search, examines dietary MP exposure and its potential relevance to gastrointestinal function, gut microbiota, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial activity, endocrine regulation, metabolism, recovery, adaptation, and performance-related outcomes in athletes. Current evidence suggests that MPs and nanoplastics may interact with biological systems through mechanisms involving intestinal barrier disruption, microbiota alterations, inflammatory activation, oxidative damage, mitochondrial perturbation, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and metabolic dysregulation. However, most available data derive from in vitro studies, animal models, food contamination analyses, exposure-estimation studies, and indirect human biomonitoring evidence. Direct studies in athletic populations are currently lacking. Therefore, the possible implications of MP exposure on recovery, adaptation, and exercise performance should be interpreted as biologically plausible but unproven. From a practical perspective, evidence-informed strategies may include reducing avoidable plastic-related exposure while maintaining adequate hydration, energy availability, nutrient timing, supplement quality, and dietary patterns that support antioxidant defenses, inflammatory balance, gut health, and physiological resilience. Future research should prioritize standardized exposure assessment, validated biomarkers, human biomonitoring, and sport-specific studies evaluating MP exposure in relation to physiological and performance-related outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tendon and ligament injuries are challenging conditions because of limited vascularization, slow collagen turnover, and prolonged rehabilitation timelines. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on nutritional strategies that may support connective tissue rehabilitation and return-to-activity or return-to-sport progression. Methods: This narrative review synthesized the relevant clinical, mechanistic, and applied sports nutrition literature identified through targeted database searches and manual reference screening. Results: Adequate energy availability and protein intake emerged as foundational priorities for tissue repair, endocrine and immune function, and tolerance to progressive loading. Collagen or gelatin supplementation with vitamin C before tendon- or ligament-loading exercise may provide targeted substrate and cofactor support for collagen remodeling. Creatine may assist muscle preservation during reduced loading, while micronutrient adequacy and omega-3 fatty acids may support musculoskeletal health and inflammation resolution. Conclusions: Nutrition should be viewed as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, structured rehabilitation loading. Phase-specific and individualized nutritional strategies may support rehabilitation when integrated with structured loading; however, additional well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine their effects on clinically meaningful outcomes, including return-to-sport time, reinjury risk, and long-term tissue outcomes. Full article

Though it has been well established that a subset of collegiate student-athletes in the United States (U.S.) are not food secure, efficacious solutions for mitigating this issue appear to be elusive. This study identified system-level barriers and enablers to food security among student-athletes through the lens of collegiate athletic professionals (athletic directors, athletic trainers, sports dietitians, and strength and conditioning coaches). Using a phenomenological-informed design and constructivist theoretical framework, researchers explored the experiences and insights of participants (n = 27, Division I, northwestern U.S.) via six online focus groups July–December 2023. Categorical themes for barriers to food security were finances, culture, and competing priorities; enablers were on-campus supplemental food assistance, referrals to community services, and educational programming. A gap analysis was performed; existing solutions enabling food security and aspirational solutions for addressing food insecurity were compared, and gaps identified. Based on the insights of athletic professionals, a lack of student-athlete-centric solutions to ensure food security emerged. The introduction of shared revenue programs in American college sports may address some of food security barriers; however, additional funds may not mitigate the contribution of competing priorities and scheduling issues experienced by student-athletes. System-level changes are required to enable food security among this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: To assess the nutritional knowledge and dietary intake of Gaelic team sport athletes and investigate any association between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. Methods: Male/female athletes competing in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie, aged 18–40 years and training/competing at least twice weekly, were recruited. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the validated Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (NSKQ). Dietary intake was assessed using a 4-day semi-quantitative food diary. Results: In total, 354 players (male n = 215, female n = 139; elite n = 133, sub-elite n = 221) completed the NSKQ; 53.1% had “poor” knowledge (score ≤49%). Dietary intake was reported by 139 players (39.3%), whose mean knowledge was also “poor” (49.9 ± 13.1%), with scoring patterns identical to non-reporters. Participants scored “average” in weight management, macronutrient, and alcohol subsections, and “poor” in micronutrient, sports nutrition, and supplement subsections. Dietary intake was sub-optimal; 84.9% under-consumed energy (median deficit 755 kcal/d [IQR −1085, −115]), primarily due to insufficient carbohydrate intake (median 3.2 g/kg/d [IQR 2.6, 3.8]; only 20.9% met the 4–8 g/kg/d recommendation). Most participants met protein and fat recommendations, although few met vitamin D or fibre recommendations, and no female participant met the iron recommendation. Those with average or above knowledge were more likely to meet energy and fibre recommendations; no further significant associations were observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Gaelic team sport athletes lack nutrition knowledge, and their dietary intake appears sub-optimal in several respects. In unadjusted analyses, higher knowledge was modestly associated with meeting energy and fibre recommendations. These findings highlight the need for nutrition interventions, combining education with behaviour change strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intensified training in adolescent soccer players increases oxidative stress, muscle damage, inflammation, and immune suppression, but direct comparisons of nutritional countermeasures are lacking. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the effects of 14-day coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) versus taurine supplementation on haematological, oxidative, muscle damage, inflammatory, hormonal, and immune biomarkers in under-19 soccer players undergoing three repeated 90 min Soccer Match Simulation (SMS) sessions. Methods: Twenty-four male players (age 17.9 ± 0.7 years) received placebo (n = 8), CoQ10 (300 mg/day, n = 8), or taurine (4 g/day plus 4 g pre-session, n = 8). Blood was collected at baseline (T0), post-first session (T1), post-third session (T2), and 24 h post-third session (T3). Biomarkers included creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukins (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), cortisol, testosterone, CD4/CD8 ratio, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG), and plasma volume (Dill–Costill). Data were analysed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: CoQ10 was superior in reducing MDA (T2: 0.83 ± 0.02 vs. 1.24 ± 0.03 μmol/L, p < 0.001), LDH (434 ± 9 vs. 684 ± 12 U/L, p < 0.001), and cortisol (20.2 ± 0.6 vs. 30.4 ± 0.8 μg/dL, p < 0.001), and preserved the testosterone:cortisol ratio (24.5 ± 1.1 vs. 13.6 ± 1.0 × 10⁻³, p < 0.001). CoQ10 was more effective than taurine in lowering IL-6 at T2 (3.5 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 pg/mL, p = 0.03), whereas taurine was more effective in increasing IL-10 (7.5 ± 0.2 vs. 5.7 ± 0.2 pg/mL, p = 0.005). Both supplements preserved CD4 counts (CoQ10: 790 ± 13, taurine: 795 ± 14 vs. placebo: 680 ± 15 cells/μL, p < 0.01) and the CD4/CD8 ratio, as well as IgA and IgG levels, with no between-supplement differences for immune outcomes (p > 0.05). No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: For adolescent soccer players undergoing intensified training, CoQ10 may be preferred when the goal is reducing oxidative stress, muscle damage, and catabolic load; taurine may be preferred for targeted anti-inflammatory support (IL-10 elevation). Either supplement effectively attenuated changes in circulating immune biomarkers. These preliminary findings provide evidence-based guidance for targeted sports nutrition, pending confirmation in larger trials. Full article

Caffeine is among the most widely used supplements in sports nutrition, with substantial evidence supporting its efficacy for enhancing athletic performance. However, the relevance of pre-exercise caffeine supplementation extends beyond its ergogenic effects. Exercise itself acts as an acute cardiometabolic stressor, eliciting dynamic responses in blood pressure, heart rate, vascular tone, substrate utilization, and glucose regulation. Caffeine may further modify the magnitude, temporal profile, and recovery kinetics of these responses. This focused narrative review examines the acute cardiometabolic responses associated with pre-exercise caffeine supplementation and its potential regulatory effects. It outlines the underlying biological mechanisms, including adenosine receptor antagonism, hemodynamic and vascular pathways, and metabolic and substrate-utilization pathways, while synthesizing current evidence from the literature. Available evidence indicates that the acute effects of caffeine are highly context dependent. In some exercise settings, caffeine may promote lipolysis and fat oxidation; in others, particularly among susceptible individuals or under specific exercise conditions, it may be associated with greater acute cardiovascular or autonomic load, reflected by higher peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure, altered vascular reactivity, or delayed post-exercise autonomic recovery. Its effects may vary according to dose, timing, supplement form, exercise modality and intensity, training status, habitual caffeine intake, genotype, sex, and hormonal status. Overall, pre-exercise caffeine should not be regarded solely as a uniformly beneficial ergogenic aid, but rather as a physiological modulator that may reshape the acute cardiometabolic milieu during and after exercise. Future studies should integrate hemodynamic, vascular, metabolic, and individual-variability measures over extended observation periods to support more evidence-based and individualized guidance on the appropriate use of pre-exercise caffeine. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic dental injuries involving the maxillary anterior teeth are common; however, combined extrusive and lateral dislocation during active orthodontic treatment is uncommon and presents unique management challenges. This case report describes the multidisciplinary management of traumatic extrusive and lateral dislocation of the maxillary right lateral incisor (#7) and maxillary right central incisor (#8) in a 27-year-old patient undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment following sports-related trauma. Methods: Clinical examination revealed marked coronal and lateral displacement, pathologic mobility, gingival laceration, active bleeding, and deformation of the orthodontic archwire. Both affected teeth had complete root formation. Emergency management included immediate repositioning of the displaced teeth and urgent endodontic treatment. Semi-rigid stabilization was achieved using metallic ligatures and a rectangular stainless-steel orthodontic archwire, supplemented by temporary skeletal anchorage with a mini-screw and posterior bite turbos to reduce occlusal loading. The patient was monitored clinically and radiographically throughout healing and subsequent orthodontic treatment. Results: Follow-up examinations demonstrated favorable periodontal healing, stable retention of the traumatized teeth, absence of pathologic mobility, and successful continuation of orthodontic treatment. Radiographic evaluation showed no evidence of inflammatory root resorption or other significant complications. At the 16-month follow-up, the affected teeth remained functional and stable, and implant placement was successfully completed at the congenitally missing maxillary canine site. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of immediate interdisciplinary management of traumatic dental dislocation during orthodontic treatment. Fixed orthodontic appliances, when appropriately incorporated into emergency stabilization protocols, may contribute to successful tooth retention and favorable long-term outcomes. Full article

Exercise-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) serve as crucial signaling molecules for training adaptation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and inflammatory resolution, rather than being mere markers of oxidative damage. Chronic or excessive high-dose antioxidant supplementation may suppress these vital redox-sensitive pathways. Consequently, this narrative review examines food-based antioxidant strategies as approaches for redox modulation, meaning support for recovery and redox homeostasis without indiscriminately suppressing exercise-induced redox signals that may contribute to training adaptation, while emphasizing the distinction between whole-food matrices and isolated supplements. A structured literature search was conducted across major electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus. The search focused on intersecting themes of exercise physiology, redox biology, and sports nutrition. The reviewed evidence includes short-term human intervention studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and mechanistic studies examining tart cherry, berries, pomegranate, cocoa, green tea, beetroot, extra virgin olive oil, and Mediterranean-style dietary patterns. Overall, the evidence suggests that these food-based strategies may influence recovery-related outcomes through mechanisms extending beyond direct radical scavenging, including inflammatory regulation, vascular function, and gut-derived metabolism; however, the strength and consistency of findings vary by food source, outcome, dose, timing, study population, dietary matrix, and bioavailability. Current literature does not support universal, fixed daily antioxidant use. Food-based strategies appear most appropriate during periods of elevated recovery demands, such as heavy training blocks, congested competition, muscle damage, or environmental stress. Food-based antioxidant nutrition should therefore be interpreted as a conceptual, evidence-informed approach to periodized and context-specific recovery support, rather than as a universal or evidence-graded guideline, because much of the available evidence derives from short-term and heterogeneous intervention studies. These strategies should complement foundational sports nutrition practices (energy availability, macronutrient distribution, hydration, and sleep) when balancing the preservation of long-term training adaptations with the need for acute recovery. Full article

This bibliometric study examines the intellectual structure, evolution, and collaboration patterns of phytotherapy research within sports science to identify key themes and research gaps. Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1991 to 2024 were analyzed using a search strategy combining phytotherapy and sports medicine terms, yielding 3404 records, of which 368 met the inclusion criteria after systematic screening. Performance analysis assessed publication trends, citation impact, and author productivity, while science mapping techniques—including keyword co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship network analysis—were conducted using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. Thematic positioning was evaluated through Callon’s centrality-density framework. Results indicate steady growth in the field, with a CAGR of 11.83% and peak output in 2021, involving 2103 authors across 199 sources. International collaboration reached 22.55%, led by the United States, United Kingdom, and China. Dominant research themes include exercise, inflammation, oxidative stress, and phytochemicals such as curcumin and resveratrol. Thematic mapping highlights exercise performance and supplementation as central topics. Overall, the field demonstrates significant expansion, though increased international collaboration and clinical translation are needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Curcumin has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to support exercise recovery through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. However, trials differ in sport context, training status, supplementation timing, dose, formulation, and methodological control. This systematic review evaluated its effects on recovery outcomes in active individuals and athletes, with particular attention to the applicability of the evidence to real-world sport settings. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library/CENTRAL were searched from 2012 to June 2026. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials were eligible when they evaluated oral curcumin, curcuminoids, Curcuma-derived preparations with a specified curcumin dose, or curcumin combined only with bioavailability enhancers. Studies using artificial muscle-damage protocols, clinical populations, non-randomized designs, or combined bioactive interventions were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, supplemented by a Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) assessment and a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) certainty-of-evidence evaluation. Owing to heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively by outcome domain, supplementation timing, formulation type, exercise context, and training status. Results: Fifteen trials were included. Favorable effects were reported in 6/7 studies assessing oxidative stress, 4/6 assessing muscle damage, 3/8 assessing inflammation, 3/7 assessing subjective recovery, soreness, or fatigue, and 4/8 assessing physical or athletic performance. However, effects varied substantially according to population, exercise context, biomarker selection, timing of assessment, and formulation type. The certainty of evidence was low for oxidative stress and very low for muscle damage, inflammation, subjective recovery/soreness/fatigue, and performance. Conclusions: Curcumin supplementation may support selected aspects of exercise recovery, particularly oxidative stress responses. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because the evidence derives mostly from small trials with heterogeneous populations, exercise protocols, supplementation regimens, formulations, biomarkers, and assessment time points. Evidence for muscle damage, inflammation, subjective recovery, fatigue, and performance remains inconsistent, and further well-controlled trials in trained and high-performance athletes are needed before practical recommendations can be established. Full article