Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
07:20
Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Procedures Using the Modified Bergström Technique
Published on: September 10, 2014
44.2K
Ergogenic Aids and Supplements
Frontiers of Hormone Research
|June 28, 2016
Summary
Many popular sports supplements lack scientific evidence for effectiveness and safety. This review evaluates key supplements like amino acids, caffeine, and antioxidants to guide athletes and professionals in making informed choices.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Growing interest in nutrition's role in optimizing athletic performance.
- Significant debate surrounds the ergogenic value of various dietary supplements.
- Many supplements lack robust scientific evidence for efficacy, specificity, and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To equip sport nutrition professionals with skills to evaluate scientific literature on ergogenic aids.
- To discuss the efficacy of popular supplements used by athletes.
- To provide evidence-based guidance for athletes' supplement choices.
Main Methods:
- Review and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
- Focus on popular supplements including amino acids and derivatives.
- Analysis of caffeine and caffeinated energy drinks.
- Examination of selected antioxidants.
Main Results:
- Most widely used sports supplements lack sufficient scientific validation.
- Evidence for ergogenic effects, specificity, and safety is often inadequate.
- Specific findings on amino acids, caffeine, and antioxidants will be detailed.
Conclusions:
- Sport nutrition professionals must critically assess supplement claims.
- Athletes need reliable information to make safe and effective choices.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of many supplements.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
804
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
804
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
3.0K
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
3.0K
01:28Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents
1.7K
Mixed-action adrenergic agonists, like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, directly and indirectly affect adrenergic receptors. These agents stimulate adrenoceptors and indirectly release stored neurotransmitters, amplifying the adrenergic response.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
1.7K
01:23Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
2.2K
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
2.2K
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
2.1K
Adrenergic agonists have diverse therapeutic uses across various medical conditions and emergencies.
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
2.1K
01:25Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
3.0K
Indirect-acting adrenergic agonists potentiate the effects of endogenous catecholamines through different mechanisms without directly binding to adrenoceptors.
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral...
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral...
3.0K