Dietary and Ergogenic Supplementation to Improve Elite Soccer Players’ Performance

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Soccer is an extremely competitive sport, where the most match important moments can be defined in detail. Use of ergogenic supplements can be crucial to improve the performance of a high-performance athlete. Therefore, knowing which ergogenic supplements are important for soccer players can be an interesting strategy to maintain high level in this sport until final and decisive moments of the match. In addition, other supplements, such as dietary supplements, have been studied and increasingly referenced in the scientific literature. But, what if ergogenic supplements were combined with dietary supplements? This review brings some recommendations to improve performance of soccer athletes on the field through dietary and/or ergogenic supplements that can be used simultaneously. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Soccer is a competitive sport, where the match important moments can be defined in detail. Thus, use of ergogenic supplements covered in this review can improve performance of elite soccer players maintaining high level in the match until final moments, such as creatine 3–5 g day⁻¹, caffeine 3–6 mg kg⁻¹ BW around 60 min before the match, sodium bicarbonate 0.1–0.4 g kg⁻¹ BW starting from 30 to 180 min before the match, β-alanine 3.2 and 6.4 g day⁻¹ provided in the sustained-release tablets divided into 4 times a day, and nitrate-rich beetroot juice 60 g in 200 mL of water (6 mmol of NO3⁻ L) around 120 min before match or training, including a combination possible with taurine 50 mg kg⁻¹ BW day⁻¹, citrulline 1.2–3.4 g day⁻¹, and arginine 1.2–6 g day⁻¹. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Soccer athletes can combine ergogenic and dietary supplements to improve their performance on the field. The ergogenic and dietary supplements used in a scientifically recommended dose did not demonstrate relevant side effects. The use of various evidence-based supplements can add up to further improvement in the performance of the elite soccer players.

Prevalence of use of permitted pharmacological substances for recovery among athletes

Objectives: Food supplements and medicines which are not on the list of prohibited substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency are included in the group of permitted pharmacological agents for athlete’s recovery. The aim of this study was to describe qualitatively and quantitatively food supplements (FS) and over-the-counter drugs use among athletes in the last six month. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Data on food supplements and the over-the-counter drugs, usage were collected during 2018 by self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Results: A total of 112 athletes completed the survey. A total of 51.8% (n = 58) athletes reported the use of food supplements. The use of medical supplements was reported by 50.0% (n = 56) of athletes, 26.8% (n = 30) reported using ergogenic supplements, 1.8% (n = 2) using of sports food and 4.5% (n = 5) using other supplements. The use of over-the-counter drugs was reported by 35.7% (n = 40) of athletes. The over-the-counter analgesic drugs were used by 95% (n = 38) of over-the-counter drug users. Concomitant administration two or more over-the-counter drugs was reported by 40% (n = 16) athletes. Doctors and coaches had no advisory role in the use of food supplements or over-the-counter drugs.

Interaction Between Caffeine and Creatine When Used as Concurrent Ergogenic Supplements: A Systematic Review

There is some controversy regarding the interactions between creatine (CRE) and caffeine (CAF) supplements. The aim of this systematic review was to study whether such ergogenic interaction occurs and to analyze the protocol to optimize their synchronous use. The PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched until November 2021 following the PRISMA guidelines. Ten studies were included. Three studies observed that CRE loading before an acute dose of CAF before exercise did not interfere in the beneficial effect of CAF, whereas one study reported that only an acute supplementation (SUP) of CAF was beneficial but not the acute SUP of both. When chronic SUP with CRE + CAF was used, two studies reported that CAF interfered in the beneficial effect of CRE, whereas three studies did not report interaction between concurrent SUP, and one study reported synergy. Possible mechanisms of interaction are opposite effects on relaxation time and gastrointestinal distress derived from concurrent SUP. CRE loading does not seem to interfere in the acute effect of CAF. However, chronic SUP of CAF during CRE loading could interfere in the beneficial effect of CRE.

The Consumption of Ergogenic Supplements in Physical Fitness Training (Survey of Members of the Fitness Centers in Sleman District)

This research was motivated by the curiosity of the researchers about supplements those were often consumed by sportsmen, especially on members of the fitness center so that this study discussed the consumption of ergogenic supplements in physical fitness training (survey of members of the fitness center in Sleman district). The purpose was to obtain an empirical picture of the phenomenon of consumption of ergogenic supplements, understanding of ergogenic supplements, the reality of consuming ergogenic supplements, and the impact of consumption of ergogenic supplements on members of the fitness center in Sleman Regency.The research subjects used in this study were members of the fitness center in Sleman Regency which numbered 258 people. The method of data collection was through surveys conducted at 12 fitness centers located in Sleman district and research instruments using questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is descriptive statistics and chi-square test with p <0.05 to assess the relationship between the variables chosen.The results showed that as many as 34.1% of members consumed ergogenic supplements, 52.3% of members were highly knowledgeable about ergogenic supplements, 27.9% of members consumed only 1-2 kinds of ergogenic supplements, and 33.7% of members felt changes after taking ergogenic supplements. Besides that, it was found several variables related to the consumption of ergogenic supplements, namely age with P-value 0.005, gender with P-value 0.000 and education with P-value 0.029.