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Supplements for Health and Sports Performance
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Supplements for Health and Sports Performance

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 47256

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lewis Anthony Gough

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Human Performance and Health Research Group, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
Interests: nutrition; ergogenic aids; physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports nutrition has a major role in influencing performance, physical fitness, recovery and adaptation capacity, as well as an athlete's well-being and health. An important element of modern sports research is to support the development of dietary supplements through various methods and technologies aimed at accelerating post-exercise recovery, protecting the body, and replenishing losses of energy and micro- and macronutrients. Many supplements still require well-controlled research on the mechanisms of action and the final performance effect. Even well-studied supplements often require further research in order to evaluate personalized and individualized effectiveness across different sports, training periods, and populations and to assess the effects of synergism or antagonism as a result of combining the intake of several different preparations.

Moreover, the incorrect use as well as abuse of supplements are related to serious health and sports lawfulness problems. The intake of some of these substances may present certain adverse effects that interfere with sports performance and health. The suitability of the use of supplements should be assessed, and the doses and timing of use should be adapted to individual needs. Therefore, appropriate nutritional guidelines are also an essential component of the present research.

In response, we welcome submissions to this Special Issue that provide sound knowledge concerning the supplements required for optimizing the health and sports performance of athletes as well as people who practice sports recreationally. We encourage submissions of original papers and systematic reviews in this field.

Dr. Lewis Anthony Gough
Guest Editor

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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

  • supplementation
  • dietary supplements
  • sports nutrition
  • ergogenic aids
  • ergogenic agents
  • sport performance
  • physical fitness
  • physical capacity

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 409 KiB  
Article
Supplement Use Among Athletes: Insights from Gyms in Sarajevo
by Denis Čaušević, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Nedim Čović, Elena Adelina Panaet, Ensar Abazović, Raul Marian Todor, Babina Rani, Gabriel Lupu and Dan Iulian Alexe
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4747; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094747 (registering DOI) - 24 Apr 2025
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the habits, attitudes, and consumption patterns of food supplements (FS) among gym users in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect to gender, age, and training experience. Understanding these behaviors is essential given the rising global trend in FS [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the habits, attitudes, and consumption patterns of food supplements (FS) among gym users in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect to gender, age, and training experience. Understanding these behaviors is essential given the rising global trend in FS use, often without professional guidance, which can have implications for individual health and public awareness. By investigating local patterns, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the motivations and risks associated with supplement consumption, contributing to evidence-based recommendations and policy-making in the field of fitness and nutrition. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from various fitness centers using an online questionnaire composed of 21 questions divided into three segments. A total of 614 participants (mean ± SD: 32.77 ± 9.82 years), including both male (67.8%) and female (32.2%) gym users, took part in the study. Results: Participants predominantly belonged to the 36–45 age group, with 70.0% (p < 0.001) reporting more than one year of regular gym attendance, and 40.4% indicating regular FS consumption (p < 0.05). Supplements were mainly used to support faster recovery (29.1%, p < 0.05) and muscle growth (25%, p < 0.05). Magnesium was the most commonly used supplement, equally favored across genders and age groups. Creatine, fish oil capsules, and multivitamins were also frequently consumed (p < 0.05). Self-prescription emerged as the predominant method of FS use (40.3%, p < 0.05), followed by advice from gym coaches (21.8%), with only 5.6% of participants receiving guidance from a nutritionist. Conclusions: The findings highlight a societal trend toward self-directed FS use, often influenced by informal sources, underscoring the importance of further research and the development of targeted, evidence-based educational strategies. Males reported higher FS consumption, with younger users more focused on muscle gain and older individuals prioritizing health maintenance. The reliance on non-expert recommendations raises concerns about the safety and effectiveness of FS usage in the fitness community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supplements for Health and Sports Performance)
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11 pages, 1963 KiB  
Article
Acute Effect of Oral N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Fatigue Effect and Isometric Force Production in Physically Active People
by Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Javier Portillo, Pablo Abián, María Ramírez-delaCruz, Cristina Lamas and Javier Abián-Vicén
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10399; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210399 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1359
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to assess the ergogenic effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on myotendinous isometric force production in physically active people after being subjected to a fatigue protocol. Twenty-three physically active people were randomly divided into the following two groups: [...] Read more.
The main objective of this study was to assess the ergogenic effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on myotendinous isometric force production in physically active people after being subjected to a fatigue protocol. Twenty-three physically active people were randomly divided into the following two groups: NAC (n = 12; age = 26.8 ± 4.5 years, height = 173.1 ± 7.2 cm, and weight = 75.5 ± 7.5 kg), who received 2400 mg oral NAC, and control (n = 11; age = 23.4 ± 5.8 years, height = 175.9 ± 4.5 cm, and weight = 72.3 ± 9.9 kg), who received a placebo, for eight days. The isometric force production was assessed pre- and post-NAC supplementation during a maximal voluntary contraction test (MVC) and also during a fatigue protocol composed of seven sets of ten maximal isometric contraction repetitions of 5 s, with 5 s of rest between repetitions and 20 s between sets. No differences were observed between the groups in the force production values at any moment, and no side effects were found after NAC supplementation. After supplementation, a significant decrease in force was observed in both groups, but this significant loss of force started one set later in the NAC group compared to the control group (4th set vs. 5th set), which could be an ergogenic effect of the treatment. Therefore, oral daily supplementation with 2400 mg of NAC for eight days, could delay the decrease in force production during an isometric exercise protocol and without adverse side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supplements for Health and Sports Performance)
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11 pages, 782 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Tongkat Ali Supplementation on Body Composition in Exercise-Trained Males and Females
by Jose Antonio, Cassandra Evans, Flavia Pereira, Hena Thakkar, Viraaj Miriyala, Robert Rocanelli, Cesar Castillo, Alyana Andal, Jose Rojas, Juan Carlos Santana, Lia Jiannine, Jaime Tartar and Jason Curtis
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4372; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114372 - 22 May 2024
Viewed by 45356
Abstract
Background: It has been suggested that supplementation with Tongkat Ali may affect testosterone concentrations; moreover, whether this influences body composition is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Tongkat Ali (400 mg daily dose) supplementation affected [...] Read more.
Background: It has been suggested that supplementation with Tongkat Ali may affect testosterone concentrations; moreover, whether this influences body composition is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Tongkat Ali (400 mg daily dose) supplementation affected body composition and salivary free testosterone concentrations. Methods: Thirty-three exercise-trained males (n = 19) and females (n = 14) volunteered for this investigation (mean ± standard deviation: age 33.1 ± 13.0 years; height 171.1 ± 11.3 cm; body mass 77.4 ± 16.8 kg; average total years of training 13.9 ± 13.2; average hours of resistance training/week 4.2 ± 2.5; average hours of aerobic exercise/week 3.4 ± 2.8; average hours of other exercise/week 1.1 ± 2.0). Research participants were pre- and post-tested for body composition (InBody 270), Profile of Mood States (POMS), handgrip strength, and sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]). In a subset of the research participants, saliva samples were collected and analyzed for cortisol and free testosterone. The research participants consumed 400 mg of Tongkat Ali or a placebo (rice flour) daily for four weeks. Results: There were no between-group differences (p > 0.05) for body composition (delta score, mean ± SD: lean body mass kg-treatment −0.5 ± 1.9, placebo −0.4 ± 0.7; fat mass kg-treatment −0.5 ± 1.6, placebo 0.3 ± 1.0, % fat treatment −0.1 ± 1.4, placebo 0.5 ± 1.1). Moreover, there were no differences between groups for any additional assessments (e.g., handgrip strength, mood, sleep, and salivary free testosterone and cortisol). Conclusions: Four weeks of supplementation with Tongkat Ali in exercise-trained males and females does not affect body composition, mood, sleep, vigilant attention, handgrip strength, cortisol, and free testosterone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supplements for Health and Sports Performance)
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