Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance: Introduction and Vitamins

Abstract

Sports success is dependent primarily on genetic endowment in athletes with morphologic, psychologic, physiologic and metabolic traits specific to performance characteristics vital to their sport. Such genetically-endowed athletes must also receive optimal training to increase physical power, enhance mental strength, and provide a mechanical advantage. However, athletes often attempt to go beyond training and use substances and techniques, often referred to as ergogenics, in attempts to gain a competitive advantage. Pharmacological agents, such as anabolic steroids and amphetamines, have been used in the past, but such practices by athletes have led to the establishment of anti-doping legislation and effective testing protocols to help deter their use. Thus, many athletes have turned to various dietary strategies, including the use of various dietary supplements (sports supplements), which they presume to be effective, safe and legal.

1H-NMR analysis of the human urinary metabolome in response to an 18-month multi-component exercise program and calcium–vitamin-D3supplementation in older men

“…The role of choline in maintaining structural integrity of myocytes may be important in reducing exercise-induced skeletal muscle turnover. Some research suggests that choline supplementation during vigorous dynamic exercise may improve athletic performance by delaying the fatigue response (Warber et al 2000), but no evidence is available on the beneficial effects of choline on anaerobic exercise regimes (Williams 2004). …”

Supplements and Foods with Potential Reduction of Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects: A Systematic Review

“…Dietary supplements are products added to the diet, which contain at least one of the following ingredients: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, metabolites, antioxidants, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, or a combination of any of these [106]. Historically, dietary supplements have a wide acceptance and use by exercise practitioners, believing these products improve their sports performance and health [107].…”

Nutritional Recommendations for Divers

“…These functions include enhancing muscle contraction, muscle protein anabolism, improved immune function, and enhanced anti-inflammatory action (Cannell et al, 2009;Hamilton, 2010;Schubert & DeLuca, 2010;Williams, 2004). A significant proportion of athletes training indoors have below-optimal levels of serum vitamin D (Lovell, 2008).…”