Nutritional Interventions and Acupuncture-Based Strategies for Exercise-Induced Fatigue and Recovery: Mechanisms and
Yaqin Yang1, Yao Yao2,3, Weiyu Lu2
1Institute of Chinese Medicine Health Care Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College Guangzhou Guangdong China.
Food Science & Nutrition
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Exercise-induced fatigue (EIF) management can be approached through nutrition and acupuncture. Both strategies target overlapping mechanisms like mitochondrial function, but their combined benefits require further research.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Exercise-induced fatigue (EIF) is a physiological state of reduced physical capacity, not a pathology.
- EIF involves peripheral issues (energy depletion, oxidative stress) and central changes (neuroendocrine, gut-brain axis).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review nutritional and acupuncture interventions for EIF management.
- To outline a mechanistic framework for EIF based on current evidence.
- To identify research priorities for future EIF studies.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of evidence from nutritional strategies (macronutrients, supplements, herbs, probiotics).
- Review of acupuncture-based strategies (acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TEAS).
- Analysis of overlapping biological targets and proposed mechanistic models.
Main Results:
- Nutritional interventions focus on substrate availability and redox support.
- Acupuncture strategies primarily regulate neuroendocrine and inflammatory pathways.
- Both approaches impact mitochondrial function and recovery processes.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional and acupuncture interventions share mechanistic targets for EIF.
- Further research is needed to validate combined therapy benefits.
- Priorities include standardized trials, multi-omics, and personalized approaches.
