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Food for thought: Physiological considerations for nutritional ergogenic efficacy.
Kate A Wickham1, Lawrence L Spriet2
1Environmental Ergonomics Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|January 17, 2023
Summary
Nutritional ergogenic aids can enhance athletic performance, but their effectiveness depends on physiological factors. Understanding these factors, like metabolism and absorption, is crucial for optimizing their use in sports nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Nutritional ergogenic aids are widely used by athletes, with over 80% of young athletes reporting consumption.
- There is a growing need for scientific validation of novel nutritional ergogenic aids due to their increased popularity.
- A comprehensive understanding of the physiological factors influencing ergogenic aid efficacy is currently lacking.
Approach:
- This review examines key physiological considerations for orally ingested ergogenic aids, including first-pass metabolism, systemic concentrations, and target tissue interactions.
- It also explores mouth rinsing as an alternative delivery method that bypasses oral metabolism.
- Practical factors such as human variability, dosage, training status, sex, and placebo effects are discussed.
Key Points:
- First-pass metabolism, systemic concentration, and target tissue interaction significantly impact oral ergogenic aid efficacy.
- Mouth rinsing offers a route to bypass first-pass metabolism and directly stimulate the central nervous system.
- Individual factors like variability, dose, training status, sex, and placebo effects critically influence ergogenic aid outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing ergogenic aid efficacy requires careful consideration of physiological processes and individual athlete characteristics.
- Further research incorporating these physiological insights will improve the scientific rigor and practical application of ergogenic aid studies.
- A thorough understanding of these factors is essential for maximizing the benefits of nutritional strategies for elite athletes.
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