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Background: Sports nutrition plays a crucial role in providing the fuel to meet the energy demands of athletes' training programmes, enhancing adaptations associated with training, and ensuring rapid recovery between workouts. However, evidence suggests that the dietary habits of many athletes are unsatisfactory when compared to sport-specific nutrition recommendations. This discrepancy is mainly due to a lack of up-to-date, evidence-based nutritional knowledge. Hence, this parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week evidence-based, culturally appropriate, personalized sports nutrition intervention on the sports nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of track and field athletes in Sri Lanka, in comparison to a control group that does not receive this intervention. Methods: Elite and highly trained track and field athletes, competing at the national level and/or representing Sri Lanka in international competitions, will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG) (n = 15) or the control group (CG) (n = 15). Participants in the IG will receive an evidence-based, culturally acceptable, personalized sports nutrition intervention from the principal investigator through one-to-one consultations at three-time points (zeroth, fourth, and eighth weeks), while participants in the CG will be followed up throughout the period without receiving the intervention. The primary outcome measure is the number of participants who achieve at least a 10% increase in mean sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) score at the end of the 16th week, compared to the CG. Secondary outcomes include nutrition status and sports performance-related measures at the beginning and end of the intervention. Discussion: While the primary objective is to enhance SNK, it is anticipated that improvements in nutritional status and overall health may significantly impact sports performance and career longevity of the athletes. Trial registration: Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry, SLCTR/2024/013. Registered on 10th April 2024. Universal Trial Number (UTN), U1111-1304–8890. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low energy availability (LEA) is a prevalent concern among athletes, often attributed to intentional or unintentional under-fueling behaviors. Nutritional and energy availability educational interventions are poised for successful LEA prevention, with a robust body of literature examining intervention effectiveness. Thus, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on nutritional education interventions to address gaps in nutritional knowledge and combat LEA among athletes. Medical databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science) were systematically searched on July 11, 2023, and an updated search was conducted on July 26, 2024. Studies conducted among adult athletes who underwent nutritional education interventions with assessed effects on dietary knowledge, behaviors, and/or LEA outcomes were included. Study quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale by two blinded assessors. Intervention methodology and primary outcomes related to nutritional interventions were extracted by a single assessor. Twelve articles were included (mean PEDro score: 5). Interventions ranged from 1 to 20 sessions, and 10- to 120-minute durations. Most studies employed in-person educational sessions on fueling and macro- and micro-nutrient intake for athletic performance. Half of included studies included LEA education. Intervention approaches were largely heterogeneous, although most programs had favorable outcomes for nutrition knowledge and fueling behaviors. Nutrition interventions appear to be beneficial for athletes in the context of LEA, though current approaches are largely heterogenous. Future research should seek to develop a translational nutritional education plan for broad application in athletes designed to increase nutritional knowledge and combat LEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Dietary supplement use among varsity athletes is influenced by various psychological and social factors, yet there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of educational interventions in influencing these determinants. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an online nutrition education program on improvements in intentions and related determinants towards the use of dietary supplements in varsity athletes at the University of Guelph in Canada. The theory of planned behavior served as the theoretical framework for examining these determinants as predictors of behavior change. Methods: A randomized wait-list controlled trial was conducted on a total of 30 varsity athletes, randomized into experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 12) groups. The experimental group received access to an online nutrition education program focused on sports nutrition and dietary supplements, while the control group did not have access during the study. Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) intervention effect on varsity athletes' attitudes (Mean1(control) = 13.17; Mean1(experimental) = 13.56; Mean2(control) = 13.92; Mean2(experimental) = 12.11), perceived behavioral control (Mean1(control) = 15.92; Mean1(experimental) = 16.11; Mean2(control) = 16.33; Mean2(experimental) = 18.39), and intentions (Mean1(control) = 12.5; Mean1(experimental) = 12.89; Mean2(control) = 11.58; Mean2(experimental) = 9.44) towards dietary supplement use. No significant changes were made to descriptive and injunctive norms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that this nutrition education program significantly improved intentions and related determinants towards dietary supplement use in varsity athletes. The absence of a successful change in subjective norm should be a focus for similar future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: this study aimed to study the association of dental caries and erosion in athletes with dietary and oral health habits. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sports Dentistry department of a university clinic. Intraoral examination included the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) index and the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). A questionnaire was completed with sociodemographic data, and dietary and oral hygiene habits. An inferential and multivariable regression analysis was performed to study the association of dental caries and erosion with confounding variables. Results: A total of 80 athletes were included. The prevalence of dental caries and erosion was 50.0% and 40%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between self-perceived oral health and caries lesions, with "Good" (−5.01, p < 0.001) and "Very good" (−5.46, p < 0.001) perceptions linked to fewer lesions. BEWE scores revealed significant associations with meal frequency uncertainty (−12.56, p = 0.014) and uncertainty about the last dental visit (8.82, p = 0.014). Self-perceived oral health as "Good" or "Very good" was associated with lower dental erosion (p < 0.010). Other demographic and behavioral factors were not significantly associated with caries or erosion. Conclusions: this cohort of athletes exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries and erosion, with associated dietary and oral hygiene habits. These results highlight the need for targeted dietary counseling and oral health education for athletes, whose nutritional needs may lead to increased consumption of sugar-rich diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of the daily consumption of kefir on the gut microbiome, body composition, and athletic performance of professional female soccer players. Methods: The participants encompassed 21 females aged 18–29 years who were assigned to one of the two groups: the experimental group, which comprised females who consumed 200 mL of kefir daily for 28 days, and the control group, which comprised females who continued with their normal diet. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, the composition of the gut microbiome through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and an athletic performance test known as the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test were performed before and after the intervention. Results: The results of this study revealed that the consumption of kefir increased the microbial diversity (Shannon and Chao1 indices), wherein a significant increase was noted in the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, microorganisms that regulate energy metabolism and have anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the athletic performance variables, including VO2max (mL.kg−1.min−1) and finishing speed (km/h), were strongly related to the abundance of these short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. A link between the microbiota profile and the dietary intake of fiber and protein as well as the body composition measurements was also established. Conclusions: This study indicated that kefir consumption can positively affect the gut microbiota, which could in turn affect the athletes' performance. Therefore, to determine the effects of kefir as a functional food in sports nutrition over a longer period, more research should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Football referees are pivotal to match regulation, requiring both cognitive and physical abilities comparable to players. Proper nutrition is essential to sustain their intense activity levels, yet dietary habits among referees in Poland are under-researched. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the dietary habits of football referees in Poland, focusing on identifying beneficial and detrimental practices and assessing their impact on professional performance. Material and Methods: A survey-based study was conducted with 258 football referees from Poland between December 2022 and January 2023. The questionnaire assessed demographic data, professional experience, and dietary habits, including meal frequency, food choices, and hydration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most referees consumed 4–5 meals daily (63.7%), but irregular meal timing (45.2%) was common, particularly among less-experienced referees. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was limited, with significant age-related differences. Water intake was generally adequate, but hydration strategies during matches varied. Cooking practices revealed a preference for frying (48.1%), reflecting limited awareness of healthier alternatives. Dietary education was highlighted as a key need, especially among referees with lower professional experience. Conclusions: The results of the study clearly indicate significant deficiencies in meal regularity and healthy cooking practices among Polish soccer referees. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational programs that could help improve the health and professional performance of this group, especially in the context of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and promoting healthier food processing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Managing blood glucose levels is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as competition can cause unpredictable fluctuations. While fear of hypoglycemia during physical activity is well documented, research on hyperglycemia-related anxiety (HRA) is limited. HRA refers to the heightened fear that hyperglycemia-related symptoms will impair functioning. This study investigates current strategies employed to mitigate HRA during competition and the development of alternative approaches. Research design and methods: Elite athletes with TID, aged >14 who self-reported HRA during competition were recruited. Elite athletes were defined as individuals exercising >10 hours per week whose athletic performance has achieved the highest competition level. 60 to 90-minute virtual semi-structured interviews were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Ten elite athletes with T1D (average age 25 ± 3 years; T1D duration 12 ± 8 years; number of competitions per year 27 ± 19; training time per week 12 ± 6 hours) reported the strategies they currently use to mitigate HRA. These strategies include managing insulin and nutrition intake, embracing social support networks, using technology, practicing relaxation techniques, establishing routines, performing pre-competition aerobic exercise, and maintaining adequate sleep hygiene. Several additional approaches that could be implemented were identified including establishing targeted support networks, developing peer-reviewed resources on HRA, ensuring support teams have sufficient tools, and improving existing technology. Conclusions: Elite athletes with T1D use physiological and psychological strategies to mitigate HRA during competition. This finding highlights the need for increased support and education for these athletes, and advancements in technology. A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals, athletic staff, and peer mentors could help integrate personalized anxiety management and diabetes care strategies into training regimens, enhancing both mental resilience and performance outcomes for athletes with T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet plays a significant role in athletes' lives due to its impact on both their performance and health. Gaining a deeper insight into how diet affects athletic outcomes is crucial for designing nutritional strategies that meet the unique demands and goals of each athlete. While a variety of studies have examined different aspects of sports nutrition, there is still a clear need for further investigation in this field. This review examines the effects of alternative dietary approaches, including plant-based diets, ketogenic diets, and intermittent fasting, on athletic health and performance. Drawing on research published from 2014 to 2024, the focus is placed on experimental and systematic studies. The findings suggest that well-planned plant-based diets can deliver notable health benefits, lower the risk of chronic illnesses, and enhance aerobic capacity without hindering performance. In contrast, ketogenic diets, while potentially effective for weight loss, present concerns related to cardiovascular and bone health and may impair performance in high-intensity activities. Intermittent fasting, though showing little impact on resistance training, might negatively affect endurance performance. Overall, plant-based diets stand out as offering the most favorable combination of health advantages and performance support. To enable athletes to make well-informed dietary choices that align with their specific needs, further studies with improved methodologies are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: As an endurance multi-sport race, triathlon places significant energy demands on athletes during performance and training. Insufficient energy intake from food can lead to low energy availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). We aimed to measure symptoms related to LEA, examine the risk of RED-S, and find how diet relates to the risk of RED-S in highly trained female amateur triathletes. Methods: Our sample was 20 top-performing female triathletes competing in Quarter Ironman (IM), Half IM, IM, or Double IM triathlons for 5.5 ± 2.5 y who were during the preparatory phase of training (training load 11 ± 3.76 h/week, a single workout 84 ± 25 min). Triathletes completed 3-day food diaries, training diaries, and the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). Exercise energy expenditure was estimated using wrist-worn activity trackers. To examine dietary patterns related to the first signs of LEA, predating RED-S, we created two groups: the L-LEA group (LEAF-Q score 0–5, no symptoms related to LEA, low risk of RED-S, n = 10) and the H-LEA group (LEAF-Q ≥ 6, at least one LEA-related symptom, high risk of RED-S, n = 10). Results: The risk of RED-S was prevalent in 30% of female triathletes, and 50% showed at least one symptom related to LEA. Macronutrient intake was similar in all participants, but triathletes from the H-LEA group tended to eat more plant-sourced protein and fiber. They consumed less saturated fatty acids but ingested more significant amounts of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAn6). Conclusions: We conclude that foods higher in plant proteins, fiber, and PUFAn6 might predispose female triathletes to LEA by reducing the diet's energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sports nutrition is a rapidly developing field of study, and optimum nutrition can have a crucial impact on athletic performance and, in turn, overall well-being. Nutritional knowledge and dietary intake of athletes are paramount in terms of reaching optimum athletic performance and promoting recovery. This review will scope the current literature in relation to nutritional knowledge and dietary intake of athletes in order to establish gaps in the research that require further exploration. Methods: A review of papers (n = 21) related to athletes' nutritional knowledge and dietary intake in Sage, Pub-Mud, EBESCO and Sports-Discus databases was undertaken up to October 2024. Each of these papers met the strict eligibility criteria for inclusion following the adoption of the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA–ScR). Results: Studies reported that gaps exist in the nutritional knowledge and awareness of athletes in relation to nutrient intake and the recommended dietary guidelines. Furthermore, a disparity in knowledge exists with females overall exhibiting superior awarenesses in comparison to male counterparts. The findings of this study suggest that food supplements are being used to compensate for a shortfall in nutrition. A lack of access to evidence-based nutritional advice and practical, hands-on nutritional education have been cited as major barriers to enhancing and addressing nutritional awareness and knowledge. Conclusions: This scoping review mapped the existing literature relating to athletes' nutritional knowledge and dietary practices and, in turn, revealed critical gaps and barriers The review established the need for further research to explore and address these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient but efficient tool for evaluating dietary intakes in Chinese professional athletes has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a short semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) through comparison with 3-day weighed food records (3DWFRs) and corresponding serum biomarkers from a cohort of 102 professional athletes, while also evaluating its reproducibility. The relative validity was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients, cross-quintiles classification, weighted kappa, and Bland–Altman analysis, while reproducibility was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between two FFQs. The results showed the median (range) crude correlation coefficients (CCs) between the first FFQ and 3DWFRs for energy and nutrients, and the food groups were 0.331 (0.219 to 0.568) and 0.292 (-0.035 to 0.455), respectively. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (EPA, DHA, and EPA+DHA) intake estimated from the FFQ significantly correlated with corresponding serum biomarkers, with CCs ranging from 0.389 to 0.520. Weighted kappa statistics, indicating acceptable consistency (> 0.2) for most items, varied from -0.076 to 0.581, except for vitamin C, vegetables, and oils. Misclassification of nutrients and food groups into extreme quartiles was rare, with a median misclassification rate of 2% (ranging from 1% to 12%) and 3% (ranging 0 to 10%), respectively. Bland–Altman analysis revealed good agreement between FFQ and 3DWFRs, with over 90% of data points falling within the limits of agreement (LOA) for all assessed nutrients and food groups. In the reproducibility analysis, the median (range) crude CC and ICC for energy and nutrients were 0.574 (0.423 to 0.643) and 0.668 (0.558 to 0.763), respectively, while for food groups, they were 0.681 (0.242 to 0.764) and 0.640 (0.371 to 0.787), respectively. In conclusion, the short FFQ demonstrated acceptable relative validity and reproducibility for most nutrients and food groups, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool for assessing dietary intake and nutrition status among young Chinese athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weightlifting demands explosive power and neuromuscular coordination in brief, repeated intervals. These physiological demands underscore the critical role of nutrition, not only in optimizing performance during competitions but also in supporting athletes' rigorous training adaptations and ensuring effective recovery between sessions. As weightlifters strive to enhance their performance, well-structured nutritional strategies are indispensable. In this comprehensive review, we explored how weightlifters can optimize their performance through targeted nutritional strategies, including carbohydrate intake for glycogen replenishment and proteins for muscle growth and recovery. Additionally, the roles of key supplements, such as creatine, beta-alanine, and branch-chained amino acids in enhancing strength, delaying fatigue, and supporting muscle repair were discussed. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to gather studies on nutritional strategies for weightlifting performance and training adaptation. The review focused on English-language articles relevant to weightlifters, including studies on powerlifting, while excluding those involving non-human subjects. Weightlifting requires explosive power, and proper nutrition is vital for performance and recovery, emphasizing the role of carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. Nutrient timing and personalized strategies, informed by genetic and metabolomic analyses, enhance recovery and performance, while supplements like creatine, caffeine, and beta-alanine can significantly improve results when used correctly. Sustainable nutritional strategies are essential for enhancing weightlifter performance, emphasizing a balanced approach over extreme diets or excessive supplements. Further research is needed to refine these strategies based on individual athlete characteristics, ensuring consistent top-level performance throughout competitive seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine sex differences in acute caffeine intake on repeated sprint performance. Fifty‐two resistance‐trained individuals (age: 24.6 ± 4.5 years and sex (female/male): 26/26) participated in a randomized, triple‐blind, cross‐over, and placebo‐controlled study. Participants ingested 3 mg/kg caffeine or placebo and, after 60 min, performed 4 Wingate tests (Wt), consisting of a 30 s all‐out lower‐body sprint against an individualized resisted load, with 90 s rest periods between sprints. Mean (Wmean) and peak (Wpeak) power showed an interaction between sprint and supplement (P = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.095 and P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.157, respectively), but only Wpeak reported a supplement and sex interaction (P = 0.049 and ηp2 = 0.166). Caffeine increased Wmean in Wt3 (3.5%, P = 0.004, and g = 1.059) and Wt4 (3.9%, P = 0.012, and g = 1.091) compared to placebo. Whereas, for Wpeak, caffeine increased Wpeak in the Wt1 (2.9%, P = 0.050 and g = 1.01) and Wt2 (3.2%, P = 0.050, and g = 1.01) in males and in Wt3 (5.2%, P = 0.008, and g = 1.79) and Wt4 (8.1%, P = 0.004, and g = 2.27) in female participants compared to placebo. No statistically significant sex differences were found in time to reach Wpeak, fatigue index. Acute caffeine intake stimulated a similar ergogenic effect on repeated sprint performance in men and women, except in peak power output, where caffeine increased performance during the first sprints in males and the last sprints in female participants. Highlights: A four‐repeated Wingate test is a valuable protocol for assessing and improving anaerobic capacity and power, tailoring training programs, monitoring recovery from injury, and evaluating the ability to sustain high‐intensity efforts over multiple bouts, which are critical components of many sports (e.g., cycling or soccer).Low doses (3 mg/kg) of caffeine consumed acutely improve repeated sprint performance in both male and female athletes.The pattern of the ergogenic effect seems to differ between sexes only in peak power output. In males, caffeine increases this variable in the first two sprints, whereas in women, it does it in the last two sprints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the present scenario, competitive sports require athletes to achieve a phenomenal balance between cognitive abilities, motor skills, nutritional intake, and energy deficiencies. Such stability would enable the athletes to excel in their sporting field. Evidence shows that athletes develop specific cognitive abilities based on their sporting field. Nutrition is vital in creating an athlete's cognitive ability and physical needs required to participate in competitive sports. The reduction in the intake of nutrients required before, after and during sports participation could result in relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S), affecting the parts of the body. Methods: The rationale behind the survey is to understand the role of nutrition and energy deficiency on the athletes' cognitive abilities. The review's research areas were identified as athletes' cognition and nutrition in the context of RED-S. Search keywords were found based on the research area, such as "cognitive", "nutrition", and "energy deficiency/availability" in athletes. The search keywords were combined to form search queries (SQs). SQs were used to carry out the search on the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Results: Sports play an important role in athletes' cognitive abilities, such as decision-making, attention, memory, etc. Nutritional intakes, such as caffeinated, carbohydrate, alkaline, and protein-based supplements and diets, also significantly affect athletes' cognitive and motor abilities. Low energy availability (LEA) causes cognitive and physical health problems in both female and male athletes. Conclusion: The review identified that nutrition and LEA play crucial roles in athletes' cognitive performance. Deficits in nutritional intake and energy availability lead to RED-S. Hence, cognitive performance could be used as an early indication to identify the nutritional and energy deficits in advance, enabling athletes to combat RED-S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Research has shown that athletes often have poor nutritional knowledge, particularly regarding dietary supplements. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an online nutrition education program in improving nutritional and dietary supplement knowledge among varsity athletes at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Methods: A total of 30 varsity athletes at the University of Guelph were randomized into experimental [n = 18] and control [n = 12] groups. A randomized wait-list controlled intervention was used, where participants in the experimental group were granted access to an online, 4-week nutrition education program, while no program was provided to the control group within the duration of the study. The program covered nutrition topics and focused on sports nutrition and dietary supplementation. Both groups were administered a validated online nutrition and dietary supplement questionnaire at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Mean baseline knowledge scores for the experimental and control groups were 13.78 ± 2.76 and 13.92 ± 2.39, respectively, and were not significantly different [p = 0.888]. Post-intervention scores were 16.28 ± 1.49 and 14.5 ± 1.88 for the experimental and control groups, respectively, [p < 0.05]. There was a significant interaction between the intervention and time on knowledge. Conclusions: These results indicate that this nutrition education program was successful in significantly improving nutritional and dietary supplement knowledge in varsity athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Football players require optimal nutrition and physical fitness to enhance their performance and maintain their health. Understanding the relationships among nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, physical health, and substance use in athletes is essential for developing effective strategies. This study investigates these factors in male football players aged 16–33 years. Methods: The study involved 60 male football players from three teams in Liga4Arad. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a self-developed pilot questionnaire and internationally validated instruments. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Guttman's λ2. The questionnaire assessed nutritional knowledge, eating habits, substance use, and physical health parameters, including body fat percentage and training frequency. Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the data and explore the interrelationships between these factors. It is important to note that the pilot questionnaire used in this study was self-developed and not previously validated in this specific context. Results: Nutritional knowledge was positively correlated with healthier eating habits (ρ = 0.675, p < 0.001). Intensive training and higher physical activity levels were both associated with improved body composition and lower body fat (ρ = 0.341, p = 0.006). Supplement use was moderately correlated with alcohol consumption (ρ = 0.548, p < 0.001) and weakly correlated with smoking (ρ = 0.348, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The study highlights a strong relationship between nutritional knowledge and healthier eating habits among football players, as well as the significant role of frequent intense training in reducing body fat percentages and enhancing physical fitness. Additionally, the findings suggest a moderate association between dietary supplement use and alcohol consumption, underscoring the need for tailored interventions to address substance use and its impact on players' health behaviors and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the gut microbiota is important for athlete health and performance, its optimization is increasingly gaining attention in sports nutrition, for example, with whole fermented foods. Sauerkraut is a traditional fermented food rich in pro-, pre-, and postbiotics, which has not yet been investigated in the field of sports nutrition. Methods: To determine whether sauerkraut could be used for gut microbiota optimization in sports nutrition, a proof-of-concept study was conducted. The microbiota composition of organic pasteurized sauerkraut was analyzed, and then healthy active athletes were provided with the same sauerkraut for 10 days as an intervention. The effects of sauerkraut on the athlete's gut microbiota, laboratory parameters, and bowel function were assessed. Results: Significant changes in the gut microbiota composition were seen on taxonomic and functional levels, independent of baseline microbiota composition, even after short-term supplementation. Most notably, there was an increase in several health-promoting genera of the family Lachnospiraceae, as well as significant alterations in metabolic pathways regarding cell wall synthesis and the metabolism of nucleotide bases. An increase in the proportion of lymphocytes and a decrease in B12 vitamin levels was observed, as well as a risk of indigestion in certain athletes, which significantly resolved after seven days of supplementation in all athletes. It is unclear whether the observed effects are attributable to the sauerkraut's own microbiome or its pre- and postbiotics since it is a whole food. Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that the concept of whole fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, could potentially be feasible and effective in sports nutrition for gut microbiota optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Nutrition labels are an effective tool for providing nutrition information. Additionally, nutrient composition is one of the most dictating factors for athletes' food choices; thus, we aimed to evaluate the use and perceptions regarding the nutrition labels implemented for the meals served at the 2022 European Athletics Championships (EAC). Methods: During mealtime at the team restaurants, participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire. We collected 280 questionnaires, 53.8% of the participants were male, most were athletes (78.9%), and 21.1% were athlete support personnel. Likert-type scales and open-ended questions were included to measure the labels' importance, layout, influence on food choices, and participants' understanding of the labels. Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare answers. Results: Almost 40% of the participants used the nutrition labels occasionally (38.8%). Most participants were confident (41.9%) or moderately confident (31.3%) in making food choices because they had labels. Nutrition labels were considered important (41.0%) or very important (28.4%) by most participants, and 91.7% would like to have them in future championships. Athlete support personnel versus athletes (p = 0.037) and participants with dietary restrictions versus participants without (p = 0.028) were more confident in their food choices due to nutrition labels. Conclusions: Our results highlight that nutrition labels were helpful for both athletes and athlete support personnel during this EAC and that they should be maintained in future competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract for 7 days has been shown to improve high-intensity intermittent running (HIIR) performance. Objectives: We examined the repeat response of NZBC extract on HIIR performance. Methods: Sixteen active males (age: 23 ± 3 yrs, height: 179 ± 5 cm, mass: 79 ± 11 kg, V ˙ O2max: 55.3 ± 5 mL∙kg−1∙min−1, velocity at V ˙ O2max: 17.2 ± 0.8 km∙h−1, mean ± SD) participated. Familiarized subjects completed the HIIR test at individualized exercise intensities with stages consisting of six 19 s high-intensity running bouts interspersed by 15 s of low-intensity running and 1 min of inter-stage rest. The test was repeated at increasing speeds until exhaustion, under four conditions; two with a daily dose of 600 mg of NZBC extract (CurraNZ™, providing 210 mg anthocyanins) and two with a placebo, each over 7 days. The study used a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design with a wash-out period of at least 14 days. Results: For the cohort, there were no differences between the placebo and NZBC conditions for mean heart rate (p = 0.071), mean oxygen uptake (p = 0.713), and mean lactate (p = 0.121) at exhaustion for the HIIR. The NZBC extract increased the mean total running distance and mean high-intensity running distance by 7.9% and 8.0% compared to the placebo. With NZBC extract, 8 of the 16 participants (50%) enhanced in both trials beyond the smallest worthwhile change for total running distance (≥173 m) and high-intensity running distance (≥111 m). For repeated responders, total running distance and high-intensity running distance was increased by 16.7% (95% CI [11.0, 22.4%] and 16.6% (95% CI [11.0, 22.2%]. Three participants had enhanced running performance in one trial beyond the SWC, and five participants were considered non-responders. Conclusions: This is the first study on the repeated response by an anthocyanin-rich supplement on high-intensity running performance. New Zealand blackcurrant extract can substantially enhance intermittent high-intensity running performance in consistent responders. Future work should examine dosing strategies of New Zealand blackcurrant, and whether a repeated response rate exceeding 50% can be attained. These findings suggest that NZBC extract could be beneficial for athletes participating in high-intensity team sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), probiotic supplementation can optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes at all stages of their careers. Recent research suggests that probiotics can improve immune system functions, reduce gastrointestinal distress, and increase gut permeability in athletes. Additionally, probiotics may provide athletes with secondary health benefits that could positively affect athletic performance through enhanced recovery from fatigue, improved immune function, and maintenance of healthy gastrointestinal tract function. The integration of some probiotic strains into athletes' diets and the consumption of multi‐strain compounds may lead to an improvement in performance and can positively affect performance‐related aspects such as fatigue, muscle pain, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In summary, probiotics can be beneficial for athletes at all stages of their careers, from amateur to professional. This paper reviews the progress of research on the role of probiotic supplementation in improving energy metabolism and immune system functions, reducing gastrointestinal distress, and enhancing recovery from fatigue in athletes at different levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Despite the well-documented benefits of exercise and sports participation, young athletes are particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries. This is especially true during periods of rapid growth, sports specialisation, and high training loads. While injuries are an inevitable aspect of sports participation, the risk can be minimised by promoting the development of strong, resilient tissues through proper nutrition and injury prevention strategies. Moreover, targeted nutrition strategies can accelerate recovery and rehabilitation, allowing for a quicker return to sports participation. Methods: This narrative review synthesises scientific evidence with practical insights to offer comprehensive dietary recommendations aimed at strengthening tissues and supporting the healing process during recovery and rehabilitation. The selection of all sources cited and synthesised in this narrative review were agreed upon by contributing author consensus, experts in sports nutrition (R.A., H.V., B.D.) and exercise and sports medicine (M.H.). Results: Key topics include factors that contribute to injury susceptibility, general dietary recommendations for growth and development, sports nutrition guidelines, and nutrition considerations during injury and rehabilitation. This review also addresses external factors that may lead to suboptimal nutrition, such as food literacy and eating disorders. Conclusions: By highlighting these factors, this article aims to equip coaches, nutritionists, dietitians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, parents/guardians, sporting organisations, and schools with essential knowledge to implement effective nutritional strategies for injury prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation, ultimately enhancing long-term health and athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disordered eating among athletes and physical activity practitioners is a growing concern that can negatively impact health and performance. Understanding the prevalence and predictors of disordered eating in these populations is essential for developing effective interventions. Objective: To investigate disordered eating tendencies among athletes and physical activity practitioners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Participants from five athletic clubs and six fitness centers were surveyed. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire that included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ), and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Anthropometric data were also collected. The study comprised a sample of 263 individuals, who were divided into two groups: athletes (n = 121) and physical activity practitioners (n = 142). Results: The average age of the participants was 26.41 years with a standard deviation of 8.1 years. Females comprised nearly two thirds of the sample, representing 60.8% of the participants. Physical activity practitioners exhibited higher disordered eating scores compared to athletes. The total EAT-26 scores were significantly higher in practitioners (15.63 ± 4.12) than in athletes (13.21 ± 3.89; p < 0.001). Subscale scores for Dieting (8.95 ± 2.73 vs. 7.49 ± 2.58; p = 0.001) and Bulimia (3.32 ± 1.15 vs. 2.20 ± 1.03; p < 0.001) were also higher in practitioners. BMI was a significant predictor of higher total EAT-26 scores and its subsets, indicating a greater risk of disordered eating behaviors in individuals with higher BMI. Participants with lower levels of sports nutritional knowledge and those engaging in low-intensity physical activities were more likely to exhibit disordered eating tendencies. Conclusions: The findings highlight that physical activity practitioners are at a higher risk of disordered eating compared to athletes. Addressing BMI and improving nutritional knowledge are key strategies for preventing and managing disordered eating behaviors in physically active populations. Interventions targeting these areas may enhance health outcomes and performance among athletes and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate estimation of energy requirement is significantly crucial for athletes to support performance. Meanwhile, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) constitutes the largest component of Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) and is commonly assessed using estimation formulas. Objectives: This study aimed to compare measured and predicted BMR using Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) and estimation formulas respectively among adolescent female basketball players in the Youth Sports Training Center (PPOP) Special Capital Region (DKI) Jakarta. Methods: A total of 12 adolescent female basketball players aged 14-18 years were subjected to BIA measurements to obtain BMR and body composition. BMR was compared with 24 formulas using paired t-tests, while mean differences and effect size were analyzed to determine the best predictive formula. Results: The results showed significant differences between measured (1473.6±201.2 kcal) and the majority of all predicted BMR (p-value<0.05), except for Cunningham (1459.0±102.1 kcal), Harris-Benedict (1441.7±87.0 kcal), IMNA (1398.7±91.1 kcal), and Kim (1384.3±69.6 kcal). The smallest differences between measured and predicted BMR were observed in Cunningham (14.7±113.3 kcal) and Harris-Benedict (31.9±116.2 kcal). Effect size analyses showed large differences in the majority of formulas (>1), while Cunningham (0.129) and Harris-Benedict (0.274) had the smallest effect sizes. Conclusions: Cunningham and Harris-Benedict may serve as alternative estimations for BMR aside from using BIA in adolescent female basketball players in PPOP DKI Jakarta. Future studies should consider indirect calorimetry methods to enhance BMR measurement accuracy. Similar studies should also be performed on various athletes in Indonesia with larger sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work aims to comprehensively explore the influencing factors of aerobics athletes’ performance by integrating sports nutrition assistance and artificial intelligence neural networks. First, a personalized assessment and analysis of athletes’ nutritional needs are conducted, collecting various data including fitness tests, physiological monitoring, and surveys to establish a personalized nutritional needs model for athletes. In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and requirements of aerobic athletes, exercise data are integrated with nutritional data, and deep learning analysis is performed using neural network algorithms. Moreover, in terms of artificial intelligence technology, optimization algorithms such as ShuffleNet V3 and Inception V3 are employed based on the complexity and characteristics of aerobic exercise. Besides, a channel attention mechanism is introduced to enhance the model’s recognition accuracy. Lastly, a ShuffleNet V3-based aerobic exercise classification and recognition model is proposed. It achieves accurate classification and recognition of aerobic exercise by integrating exercise nutrition, ShuffleNet V3, and attention mechanisms. The results reveal that this model outperforms the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) baseline algorithm on accuracy and F1 score. On the MultiSports dataset, the proposed model achieves an accuracy of 95.11%, surpassing other models by 2.66%. On the self-built dataset, the accuracy reaches 96.73%, outperforming other algorithms by 2.56%. This indicates that the proposed model demonstrates significant accuracy in aerobics movement classification recognition with sports nutrition assistance, contributing to a more comprehensive intersection of deep learning and sports science research.

Background: Accurate estimation of energy requirement is significantly crucial for athletes to support performance. Meanwhile, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) constitutes the largest component of Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) and is commonly assessed using estimation formulas. Objectives: This study aimed to compare measured and predicted BMR using Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) and estimation formulas respectively among adolescent female basketball players in the Youth Sports Training Center (PPOP) Special Capital Region (DKI) Jakarta. Methods: A total of 12 adolescent female basketball players aged 14-18 years were subjected to BIA measurements to obtain BMR and body composition. BMR was compared with 24 formulas using paired t-tests, while mean differences and effect size were analyzed to determine the best predictive formula. Results: The results showed significant differences between measured (1473.6±201.2 kcal) and the majority of all predicted BMR (p-value1), while Cunningham (0.129) and Harris-Benedict (0.274) had the smallest effect sizes. Conclusions: Cunningham and Harris-Benedict may serve as alternative estimations for BMR aside from using BIA in adolescent female basketball players in PPOP DKI Jakarta. Future studies should consider indirect calorimetry methods to enhance BMR measurement accuracy. Similar studies should also be performed on various athletes in Indonesia with larger sample sizes.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate hydration awareness among youth baseball players and the effect of sports nutrition education on hydration-related indicators. METHODS Eighty-two youth baseball players who participated in a winter training camp hosted by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) participated in this study. A questionnaire was used to assess hydration awareness, and sports nutrition education focused on hydration-related topics was implemented. Hydration-related indicators such as fluid intake and urine color were measured to determine the effect of sports nutrition education. RESULTS Although the hydration awareness of youth baseball players was low, sports nutrition education had a positive effect on changes in fluid intake and urine color during the training camp. CONCLUSIONS Sports nutrition education should be actively implemented in the field to improve hydration awareness and status among youth baseball players.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms (GISs) can affect the performance of endurance athletes (EAs). This study aims to analyze the efficacy of carbohydrate (CHO), gluten-free, and low-mono-saccharide and polyol (FODMAP) diets in preventing GISs in adult EAs of both sexes. Methods: A systematic search was conducted prior to 30 June 2024 in accordance with the PRISMA statement. We searched for original studies from the last eight years, in English or Spanish, that looked at the effect of CHO, gluten-free, or FODMAP diets on the GISs of EAs. In PubMed, the MeSH (medical subject heading) categories were used. The search was repeated in EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were determined using the PICOS framework and the risk of bias in each paper was assessed using the PEDro scale quality criteria checklist (systematic review registration: INPLASY202490080). Results: Of 289 articles identified, only 3.5% met the eligibility criteria. All studies found that GISs are common in EAs. We found that 60% of the articles used an experimental method; moreover, based on 80% of the articles, following a bowel training diet, like CHO, reduced fiber and dairy products, or a low-FODMAP diet, has the potential to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the athletic performance of EA. Conclusions: We found that low-FODMAP diets, gut training with CHO intake, and decreased fiber and dairy intake may have favorable effects in preventing GISs. No studies support a gluten-free diet in reducing GISs in EAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: sports nutrition and supplementation (SD) are commonly used by road and mountain runners to achieve their goals and increased performance. However, sometimes sports practice can become an obsession and/or addiction, although the literature on the use of DS and sports addiction (SD) is scarce. Objective: to describe and analyse the relationship between SD use and AD in asphalt and mountain runners in the Canary Islands. Methodology: a cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 613 adult athletes, using a self-administered online questionnaire that assessed SD use and AD, disseminated by federations, sports clubs, race organisers and social networks. Results: 75.7 % of participants reported taking some form of SD and being younger was associated with a higher likelihood of taking SD. On the total SD scale (SAS-15) the mean was 9.19 (SD = 3.24), above the midpoint of the theoretical range (0-15). Among participants taking and not taking DS, there is higher AD in those taking versus those not; and among those taking DS, AD is significantly higher in those taking weight management recoverers and supplements. Conclusions: the sample had indicators of WD and, for the most part, were consuming some form of DS. In addition, there is a significant relationship between the use of DS and WD in road and mountain runners, with the level of WD being a predictor of DS consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the intersection of sports medicine, nutritional sciences, and nutritional biochemistry, focusing on the use of nutritional supplements in sports performance and health. Various studies highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition, physical activity, and tailored nutrition strategies in supporting athletes' mental and physical well-being. The article also addresses the risks associated with dietary supplements, emphasizing the need for rigorous quality control measures and scientific evidence-based practices to ensure safety and efficacy in supplement use. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Nutrição e Esportiva is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Nutrição e Esportiva is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Bovine colostrum (COL) is assumed to be one of the strongest natural immune stimulants. Regular ingestion of COL may contribute to improved immune response in athletes exposed to high training loads. Methods: Twenty-eight endurance-trained males aged 31.1 ± 10.2 years (body mass 81.9 ± 9.0 kg; height 1.82 ± 0.06 m) completed this randomized doubleblind placebo(PLA)-controlled crossover study aimed at investigating the effect of 12-week COL supplementation (25gCOL·day-1) on resting (REST), exerciseinduced (POST-EX), and short-term post-exercise recovery (REC; 1 h after test exercise) changes in selected saliva and blood immunoglobulins (Ig), white blood cell (WBC) count and differential; as well as blood hematological, nutritional status and muscle damage indices. The protocol assumed 4 study visits - before/after supplementation with COL (COLPRE and COLPOST) and PLA (PLAPRE and PLAPOST). During testing sessions, incremental rowing test to exhaustion and swimming-specific performance test were introduced as exercise stimuli. Results: At COLPOST visit the secretory IgA (SIgA) concentration in saliva was significantly higher at POST-EX and REC compared to REST (p<0.05). COL supplementation had no effect on blood IgA, IgE, IgD, IgG, and IgM concentrations. Furthermore, after COL supplementation decrease of hematocrit at REC (p<0.05) was revealed. Conclusions: 12-week supplementation with 25 gCOL·day-1 in endurance-trained male athletes resulted in a favorable increase in post-exercise concentration of salivary SIgA. COL seems to be a potential stimulator of local immune defense after exercise-induced homeostasis disturbances. Nevertheless, the lack of effect on blood markers indicates the need for further research in the area of mechanisms underlying the effect of the supposed COL immunological capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Numerous meta-analyses have assessed the efficacy of creatine supplementation in increasing muscle strength. However, most have not considered the effect of the participants' age, training duration, or other confounding variables on strength outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to consider the effect of these variables on the potential efficacy of creatine supplementation and resistance training for improving measures of muscle strength. Methods: Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and SPORTDiscus) with a search end date of 22 May 2024. Twenty-three studies were included, with 20 studies involving males (447 male participants), 2 studies involving females (40 female participants), and 1 study involving both males and females (13 male participants and 9 female participants). Results: In comparison with a placebo, creatine supplementation combined with resistance training significantly increased upper-body (WMD = 4.43 kg, p < 0.001) and lower-body strength (WMD = 11.35 kg, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed a trend for greater upper-body strength improvements for males on creatine compared with females on creatine (p = 0.067, Q = 3.366). Additionally, males who consumed creatine combined with resistance training significantly increased both upper- and lower-body strength, whereas females showed no significant gains. There was a trend indicating greater lower-body strength gains from high-dose creatine compared with lower doses (p = 0.068, Q = 3.341). No other variables influenced the effect of creatine supplementation. In conclusions, creatine supplementation with resistance training enhances upper- and lower-body muscle strength in adults aged < 50, with greater benefits likely to be seen in males than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Nutrition is a basic need for athletes; thus, adequate dietary intake is crucial for maintaining overall health, facilitating training adaptations and boosting athletic performance. Accurate dietary assessment tools are required to minimize the challenges faced by athletes. This study verifies the validity and reproducibility of a 157 item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among Lebanese athletes. This is the only Arabic questionnaire in Lebanon that estimates food consumption for athletes which can also be used in Arabic speaking countries. There has been no previous validated food frequency questionnaire that estimated food consumption for athletes in Lebanon. Methods: A total of 194 athletes were included in the study to assess the validity of the food frequency questionnaire against four days dietary recalls by comparing the total nutrient intake values from the food frequency questionnaire with the mean values of four 24-hour dietary recalls using Spearman correlation coefficient and Bland Altman plots. In order to measure the reproducibility, the intra class correlation coefficients were calculated by repeating the same food frequency questionnaire after one month. Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient between the two-food frequency questionnaires ranged from average (0.739 for carbohydrates) to good (0.870 for energy (Kcal)), to excellent (0.919 for proteins) concerning macronutrients and ranged from average (0.688 for vitamin D), to excellent (0.952 for vitamin B12), indicating an acceptable reproducibility. Spearman's correlation coefficients of dietary intake estimate from the food frequency questionnaire and the four dietary recalls varied between 0.304 for sodium, 0.469 for magnesium to 0.953 for caloric intake (kcal). Bland-Altman plots illustrated a percentage of agreement ranging between 94.3% for fats to 96.4% for proteins. Conclusion: This food frequency questionnaire has a reliable validity and reproducibility to evaluate dietary assessments and is an appropriate tool for future interventions to ensure the adoption of adequate eating strategies by athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: College athletes are often overlooked for metabolic syndrome (MetS), as their increased physical activity is assumed to reduce their disease risk. However, energy or macronutrient imbalance has been shown to increase risk independent of activity. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the current dietary habits of Division III female athletes and determine their associations with body composition and MetS. Secondly, we sought to determine whether dietary intake and dietary protein source (i.e., animal- and plant-based, ABP and PBP) and quality were associated with MetS, as estimated by the Simple Method for Quantifying Metabolic Syndrome (siMS) score and the siMS risk score, and whether protein pacing was associated with body composition in Division III female athletes. Methods: Stepwise linear regression determined whether age (years), body mass (kg), body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), ABP (g/d), PBP (g/d), ABP:PBP, ratio of high-quality to low-quality ABP (ABP QR), relative energy intake (kcal/kg/d), and relative protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake (g/kg/d) were predictors of siMS score and siMS risk score. Results: Twenty-five athletes (19.6 ± 1.3 years; 65.9 ± 7.0 kg; 23.5 ± 2.0 kg/m2; ABP 71.7 ± 28.2 g/d; PBP 30.0 ± 12.2 g/d) were included in the analyses. An inverse relationship was observed between PBP and the siMS score (F1, 22 = 5.498, p = 0.028) and siMS risk score (F1, 22 = 7.614, p = 0.011). The models explained 20% and 26% of the variance in siMS score and siMS risk score, respectively. Conclusions: PBP was associated with lower MetS risk in Division III female athletes, while ABP, regardless of quality, was unrelated. These associations were independent of physical activity in this cohort of Division III female athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While several validated sports nutrition knowledge questionnaires exist, none are specifically designed to assess the sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) of Sri Lankan track and field athletes. This study aims to validate the Sri Lankan Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (SLn-SNKQ), tailored for this athlete group, to provide more accurate and meaningful insights for research and practice. This will enable health professionals and coaches to confidently assess athletes' nutrition knowledge, which directly influences their food choices. Methods: The validity of the questionnaire was established through a multi-step approach. Content validity was achieved via ratings from nutrition experts, all of whom had specialized training in human nutrition and experience of working with athletes. Face validity was evaluated through in-depth telephone interviews with elite or highly trained athletes, using a retrospective think-out-loud protocol to gather feedback on the clarity and relevance of the questions. Construct validity involved nutrition-trained doctors (NTG), non-nutrition-trained professionals (NNTG), and elite-level athletes' groups (AG). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability was evaluated. Results: The final tool comprised 123 individual statements or prompts (items) that were organized into 32 broader questions, spanning 12 sub-sections. Content validity was confirmed by fully integrating 49 out of 70 comments and partially integrating four comments received from nutrition experts for each sub-section. Face validity was established by fully integrating 33 out of 40 comments received from 16 elite and highly trained athletes. Construct validity was confirmed, indicating significant differences in the total scores achieved as a percentage of the SLn-SNKQ among the NTG (462.5, 92.5%), NNTG (223.5, 44.7%), and AG (235, 47.0%; p < 0.001). Reproducibility was established by strong test-retest reliability between individuals' scores on two test attempts, three weeks apart (spearman's correlation; ρ = 0.99, p < 0.05). Internal reliability for each sub-section met psychometric reliability requirements (Cronbach's α > 0.7). Conclusions: The SLn-SNKQ has been validated and demonstrates robust psychometric properties, offering a reliable tool for assessing SNK among Sri Lankan track and field athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endurance athletes fail to meet carbohydrate (CHO) guidelines for competition, which may be due to limited knowledge. However, the relationship between knowledge and practice in this population is unknown. To investigate this, we assessed the dietary intake in 50 athletes (37 females) who completed endurance events ≥2.5 h in duration and compared CHO intake against the carbohydrates for endurance athletes in competition questionnaire validated nutrition knowledge questionnaire, with specific questions related to CHO loading, pre‐competition meal and during‐competition intake. CHO‐loading guidelines (10–12 g · kg−1 · day−1) were met in practice by n = 5 (10%), but there was no relationship between identified requirements (range 0–12 g · kg−1 · day−1) and actual intake (rs = 0.133, p = 0.358), with the n = 18 (36%) who correctly identified requirements, ingesting 6.1 ± 1.9 g · kg−1 · day−1. CHO intake for pre‐competition meal guidelines (1–4 g · kg−1) was met in practice by n = 40 (80%), but there was no relationship between identified requirements (range 0 to >4 g · kg−1) and actual intake (rs = 0.101, p = 0.487), with n = 19 (38%) who correctly identified guidelines requirements, ingesting 1.4 ± 0.6 g · kg−1. CHO intake during‐competition guidelines (60–90 g · h−1) was met in practice by n = 18 (36%), but there was no relationship between the amounts of CHO required (range 30 to >90 g/h) and actual intake (rs = 0.028, p = 0.849), with n = 32 (64%) who correctly identified guidelines requirements, ingesting 56 ± 20 g · h−1. Results show no relationship between the knowledge of CHO recommendations and practice, suggesting that theoretical knowledge does not guarantee the achievement of best practice and other important factors may ultimately determine practice. Highlights: The carbohydrates for endurance athletes in competition questionnaire (CEAC‐Q) score did not show any association between theoretical knowledge and actual intake for carbohydrate (CHO) loading, pre‐competition, or during competition scenarios, indicating that athletes do not necessarily apply what they know.Despite 30% of athletes meeting the guidelines for CHO loading, and CHO intake during competition, there was no clear relationship between practice and their knowledge of these guidelines as measured by the CEAC‐Q.The discrepancy between theoretical knowledge and actual intake within real‐world competition highlights that other factors may be important barriers and facilitators to translate scientific knowledge and bridge the gap into optimal dietary practices of endurance athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the fitness industry has become a growing industry alongside the nutritional supplements industry within the food industry. Small and large companies are fighting for consumers. They offer products tailored to different training goals, whether sold online or offline. Companies are developing their marketing strategies by observing consumer preferences and habits. But do we need supplementation? Are the products on the market safe? What do we even mean by a food supplement? Is it a good idea to buy supplements that are in line with the latest trends? In this study we will show whether or not supplementation is really necessary for athletes and what determines whether it is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition plays a key role in the lives of athletes, sustaining and enhancing sports performance by significantly influencing their performance and general well-being. Functional foods, rich in bioactive compounds and essential nutrients, offer significant advantages for general health and athletic performance. This review addresses the benefits of sustainable, functional foods for health and sporting needs and the strategies to improve sustainability in the food sector. It will explore the connection between sustainable nutrition, nutrigenomics, and sporting needs. Sustainable food offers several advantages over traditional supplements. Thus, it is essential to educate consumers about the environmental impact of conventional supplement production and the benefits of sustainable options. The necessary approach must be integrated into food production, distribution, and consumption to meet current nutritional needs. Incorporating sustainability into supplement production and using functional foods to formulate supplements will be explored to point out the advantages of sustainable foods over traditional supplements. This review underscores the importance of public awareness and education in adopting sustainable eating habits, utilizing what nature offers more consciously, and implementing these principles in daily life. The importance of food sustainability is underscored by its impact on climate change and global health, as food production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this involves improving diet quality while reducing the environmental footprint of food production. Through these efforts, functional foods can serve as a key component in achieving sustainable sports supplementation, benefiting individuals and the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed an uptick in research highlighting the gut microbiota's role as a primary determinant of athletes' health, which has piqued interest in the hypothesis that it correlates with athletes' physical performance. Athletes' physical performances could be impacted by the metabolic activity of the assortment of microbes found in their gut. Intestinal microbiota impacts multiple facets of an athlete's physiology, including immune response, gut membrane integrity, macro- and micronutrient absorption, muscle endurance, and the gut–brain axis. Several physiological variables govern the gut microbiota; hence, an intricately tailored and complex framework must be implemented to comprehend the performance–microbiota interaction. Emerging evidence underscores the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and physical fitness, revealing that athletes who engage in regular physical activity exhibit a richer diversity of gut microbes, particularly within the Firmicutes phylum, e.g., Ruminococcaceae genera, compared to their sedentary counterparts. In elite sport, it is challenging to implement an unconventional strategy whilst simultaneously aiding an athlete to accomplish feasible, balanced development. This review compiles the research on the effects of gut microbiota modulation on performance in sports and illustrates how different supplementation strategies for gut microbiota have the ability to improve athletic performance by enhancing physical capacities. In addition to promoting athletes' overall health, this study evaluates the existing literature in an effort to shed light on how interventions involving the gut microbiota can dramatically improve performance on the field. The findings should inform both theoretical and practical developments in the fields of sports nutrition and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylated xanthine family. It is found in various foods of plant origin, including tea leaves, guarana berries, and coffee beans. Due to its stimulating effect on the central nervous system and the associated increase in alertness and reduction in tiredness, caffeine is specifically added to some foods, such as food supplements. Claims about the positive physiological effects of caffeine are health claims within the definition of the European Union (EU) Health Claims Regulation and must be authorised before use. Despite a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, regulation of the authorisation of caffeine claims was rejected due to a veto by the European Parliament. As a result, health claims are currently not regulated for caffeine in all EU member states, and the transitional on-hold status also no longer applies for most claims. Therefore, products with health claims regarding caffeine are still observed within the context of governmental food-control activities. To investigate how these are currently used on the market, internet research (n = 188) was carried out. The sample included foods that naturally contain caffeine or to which it is frequently added, namely coffee, tea, non-alcoholic soft drinks and mixed drinks, as well as food supplements, including sports nutrition products. Furthermore, the labelling of official samples that were conspicuous in relation to caffeine in the years 2019–2023 (n = 136) was included in the evaluation. The products most frequently advertised with unregulated health claims for caffeine were food supplements (31% of 135 products). On the other hand, health claims were least frequently used for coffee (4% of 77 products) and tea (18% of 33 products). For all product groups, health claims were mainly made regarding improved concentration and performance/energy. The individual effects the health claims referred to differed between the product groups. In the case of coffee and tea, the advertised effects are mainly limited to increased energy and performance in the form of a "kick" or "boost". A wider range of different health claims are used for food supplements and alcohol-free beverages, including claims relating to stamina and alertness. In general, the tendency was observed for health claims to be advertised more frequently on the internet than on the product labelling itself. This study exposes a critical issue: while scientific evidence supports some health claims for caffeine, they still remain unregulated, complicating enforcement and creating public confusion. Prompt regulatory revision is needed to align these claims with scientific validations, ensuring both accuracy and regulatory compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutritional supplements for sports and exercise (NSSE) can facilitate the exogenous replenishment of the body. This study provides the first extensive overview of NSSE research through bibliometric and visual analyses. Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database for literature related to "NSSE" from 1st January 2000 to 8th March 2024. A total of 1744 articles were included. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R package software were used to analyze the data. Results: Research in the NSSE can be divided into steady growth, exponential growth, fluctuating stage, and surge stages. The United States is the most active country in this field. In recent years, the leading countries have been Croatia, Colombia, Slovenia, Chile, Egypt, China, and Thailand. The Australian Institute of Sports is the top research institution in terms of number of publications. Burke, LM from Australia published the most articles. Research in this area has primarily been published in Nutrients in Switzerland. The study population mainly consisted of men, and postmenopausal women were the main focus of the female group. Coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases continue to dominate research. Conclusion: Research on the NSSE is developing rapidly, with an annual growth trend. Insulin resistance, sports nutrition, inflammation, alpha-linolenic acid, limb strength performance, female sex, and gut microbiota are the focus of the current research and trends for future research. Future research should focus on improving the scientific training system for athletes and quality of training and life for the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Integrative oncology combines evidence-based methods of oncological therapy, supportive medicine, nutrition and physical activity as well as complementary medicine and can significantly improve the effectiveness of therapy and the quality of life for cancer patients. However, scientifically based continuing education in this area has so far rarely been available. Project outline: The part-time continuing education program in "Integrative Onkologie" at the University of Jena is the first in Germany to offer scientifically based training for various healthcare professions. The focus lies on evidence-based content regarding the diagnosis, therapy, prevention and survivorship of cancer from the fields of complementary medicine, sport and nutrition. The course comprises 3 semesters of distance learning with one attendance weekend in Jena and concludes with a Master's thesis (M.Sc.). All healthcare professionals with a first university degree in medicine or health sciences and at least one year of professional experience are eligible for admission. The development of the study program was supported by surveys and statements from students and experts. Results: A demand survey of students (N=128) and statements (N=15) from healthcare professionals show that the course closes a gap in education and training. The course was seen as an attractive and suitable alternative to subject-specific consecutive Master's courses. Its interdisciplinary focus and its high relevance with regard to improvements in healthcare were rated particularly positive. From the students' point of view, the topics of nutrition and physical activity were seen as particularly interesting, while the expert's statements emphasized the need for evidence-based discussion, especially in the field of complementary medicine. Discussion: The course fills an important gap and provides evidence-based further training in integrative oncology. The presented conditions are rated as appropriate and the extended professional options and improvement of care in everyday practice are emphasized. The course was approved in April 2023 and has already started with the first cohort in the winter semester 2023 (October). Conclusion: The postgraduate course in integrative oncology at the University of Jena offers thorough training for healthcare professionals and fulfills the requirements for continuing education programs. It can therefore make a significant contribution to medical consultation needs and improving care in oncology and enable a faster path to specialized continuing education for many specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a form of interval training that involves alternating between short periods of high-intensity movements, elevating the heart rate to at least 80% of one's maximum, and brief intervals of lower-intensity activity. While there's a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the Psycho-physiological benefits of HIIT, there is indeed a recognized gap in research that specifically emphasizes HIIT's potential to induce sports-specific adaptations which leads to enhanced performance in chosen sports. By addressing the unique demands of the sport through targeted HIIT protocols, athletes may experience more transferable improvements in skills and fitness requirements. Closing this research gap is essential for providing athletes, coaches, and sports scientists with evidence-based insights into how HIIT can be optimized for specific sports training. As such, ongoing studies and future research endeavours focusing on sport-specific adaptations through HIIT are likely to contribute valuable insights to the field of sports science and conditioning. Purpose: This study seeks to examine the impact of a brief tailor made HighIntensity Interval Training (HIIT) program on key performance indicators, specifically Speed, Agility and Resting Heart Rate (RHR) levels in female rugby players. Understanding how short-term HIIT interventions influence these parameters can provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of this training approach for female athletes in a rugby context. Methods: 30 female rugby players (17-25 years of age) at the inter-collegiate level, representing various campuses of Calicut University, were chosen and randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group participated in an 8-week HighIntensity Interval Training (HIIT) program designed specifically for rugby players, whereas the control group did not undergo any training. Assessments of speed, Agility and Resting Heart Rate (RHR) levels were performed both before and after the completion of the HIIT training program. Assessments were done using 60 meters Sprint test for speed, RHR with the help of stethoscope and Agility by using Agility cone drill test. Results: Following an 8-week intervention, all measured indices showed significant improvement in the HIIT group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Significantly different outcomes between the scores of HIIT and control groups were evident in Speed, Agility and Resting Heart Rate (RHR) levels both before and after the HIIT program. Conclusion: The custom-designed High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program implemented in the current study resulted in significant improvements in the speed, Agility, and resting heart rate levels, thereby enhancing the overall game performance of female rugby players. This underscores the efficacy of HIIT, emphasizing its adaptability to be specifically tailored to replicate the intensity and duration of movements pertinent to a particular sport, such as rugby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]