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The Application of Specialized Diets and Supplements for Athlete Health and Performance

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Dr. Jill Parnell

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Department of Health and Physical Education, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
Interests: paralympic athletes; exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms; diet quality; dietary supplements; nutrition knowledge
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Kelly Pritchett

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Health Sciences, Central Washington University, 400E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA
Interests: pre-exercise nutrition and performance; nutrition and recovery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Specialized diets and dietary supplements can help optimize health and athletic performance. With the heterogeneity of the athlete population being increasingly recognized, more diverse dietary and supplement recommendations are emerging, as the “one-size fits all” approach is no longer found to be suitable. While there is considerable anecdotal evidence and testimonial support for specialized diets and supplements as ergogenic or health-promoting strategies, scientific evidence is needed to support or refute these claims. In addition, athletes may be vulnerable to pressure from supplement companies, peers, coaches, or competitions to experiment with non-traditional strategies. Currently, the literature indicates a high prevalence of supplement use in athletes of all levels, sex, and sport types. Furthermore, the health challenges associated with high-volume and -intensity training are well-established. Research regarding dietary strategies and supplements that support the health and performance of a wide range of athletes is critically required. This Special Issue seeks to provide information about the benefits and risks of specialized diets and supplementation strategies in diverse athlete populations. We invite original research articles, cohort studies, case studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses focused on diets and supplements for athlete health and performance.

Dr. Jill Parnell
Dr. Kelly Pritchett
Guest Editors

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Keywords

dietary supplements
specialized diets
fortified foods
functional foods
performance-enhancing
ergogenic aids
exercise-induced gastro-intestinal symptoms
periodized nutrition
performance nutrition
sports nutrition

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Research

12 pages, 1404 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Continuous Carbohydrate Intake with Gummies during the Golf Round on Interstitial Glucose, Golf Performance, and Cognitive Performance of Competitive Golfers: A Randomized Repeated-Measures Crossover Design

by Yosuke Nagashima, Kiyohiro Ehara, Yoshitomo Ehara, Ayana Mitsume, Kie Kubo and Shigeru Mineo

Nutrients 2023, 15(14), 3245; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143245 - 21 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1608

Abstract

This study examined the effects of continuous carbohydrate intake during a golf round on interstitial glucose, golf performance, and the cognitive performance of competitive golfers. Eleven competitive golfers participated and played 18 holes of golf in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the group indicated to consume the test food (CHO intake) or the group required to not consume it (NOT intake). Here, gummies were used as the test food, and the amount of carbohydrates was 30 g per h. Blood glucose levels were evaluated using interstitial glucose. Golf performance was measured in five tests, including scores, 2.5 m putting test, club head speed, driving distance, and accuracy. Cognitive performance was measured in three tests, including self-perceived levels of fatigue (PLF), self-perceived levels of concentration (PLC), and self-perceived levels of relaxation (PLR). Interstitial glucose (p < 0.001) and PLF (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the CHO intake compared with that in the NOT intake from the sixth hole. PLC was significantly higher in the CHO intake than in the NOT intake on all 18 holes (p = 0.032). These findings suggest that continuous carbohydrate intake may be effective in reducing fatigue and maintaining the performance of competitive golfers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Specialized Diets and Supplements for Athlete Health and Performance)

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14 pages, 441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sports and Energy Drink Consumption, Oral Health Problems and Performance Impact among Elite Athletes

by Kamran Khan, Abdul Qadir, Gina Trakman, Tariq Aziz, Maria Ishaq Khattak, Ghulam Nabi, Metab Alharbi, Abdulrahman Alshammari and Muhammad Shahzad

Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5089; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235089 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4762

Abstract

Frequent consumption of sports and energy drinks among athletes is of concern due to its detrimental impact on oral health. The present study aimed to assess sports and energy drink consumption, oral health status and impacts on daily activities and sports performance among elite athletes from Pakistan. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, sports and energy drink consumption, oral health and hygiene practices, self-reported oral health and psychosocial and performance impact was assessed using a self-administered, structured questionnaire followed by clinical oral examination by a single, experienced dentist. A total of 104 athletes, a majority of whom were male (80.8%), participated in the study. Around two third of the participants reported consumption of sports and energy drinks, energy gels or bars at least once a week, the commonest being Sting. Despite good oral hygiene practices, the athletes generally had poor oral health with high prevalence of dental caries (63.5%), gingivitis (46.1%), irreversible periodontitis (26.9%) and erosive tooth wear (21.2%). More than a quarter (28.8%) of the athletes rated their oral health as fair—very poor. Four in five athletes (80%) also experienced at least one oral problem with negative impacts on daily activities (64.4%) and participation training and sports performance (36.5%). Regression analyses revealed a significant association between periodontal disease and impact on both daily activities and sports performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that high-prevalence sports and energy drink consumption and oral problems among elite athletes from Pakistan has a negative impact on daily activities and sports performance. These findings may have important implications for oral health education programs, and the need to create awareness among the athletes regarding the use of sports and energy drinks, as well as regular oral health screening of athletes to minimize the impact on performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Specialized Diets and Supplements for Athlete Health and Performance)

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