J Int Soc Sports Nutr [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Screening tool for the identification of relative energy deficiency in Sport risk: validation of the low energy availability in female questionnaire - Italian version (LEAFQ-ITA).
Ferraris C, de Cassya Lopes Neri L, Amoroso AP … +5 more , Bosio F, Fiorini S, Guglielmetti M, Nappi RE, Tagliabue A
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40844031 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDs) is defined as a multifactorial syndrome of impaired physiological and/or psychological functioning was previously named as the Female Athlete Triad. REDs was propos...
BACKGROUND: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDs) is defined as a multifactorial syndrome of impaired physiological and/or psychological functioning was previously named as the Female Athlete Triad. REDs was proposed to be an expansion of the Female Athlete Triad model (), corresponding to a combination of Low Energy Availability (LEA), alteration of the menstrual cycle and bone health. could be made possible by a screening tool to determine the risk of LEA. The Low Energy Availability in Female-Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) is a screening tool originally developed to identify individuals at risk of based on self-reported symptoms in three primary categories: injuries, gastrointestinal function, and reproductive function - to identify individuals at risk of . To date, LEAF-Q is recommended in the International Olympic Committee REDs Clinical Assessment Tool-Version 2 as a screening tool for studying various health and performance outcomes of REDs. This study aims to validate the Italian version (LEAFQ-ITA) among physically active women while adapting it to their culture in order to enhance the diagnosis and facilitate access to treatment of REDs. METHODS: The validation process was carried out in multiple stages: (i) translation and cultural adaptation of the content from the original questionnaire (LEAF-Q) into the Italian culture; (ii) expert validation of the content using the Delphi technique; (iii) reliability test-retest in a sample of Italian physical active women; and (iv) internal consistency checking using exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis. A consensus rate of more than 90% for every item was considered sufficient agreement. The test-retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient estimates and their 95% confidence intervals based on a mean-rating, absolute agreement, 2-way mixed-effects model. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were performed with the Factor software. The analysis was implemented using a matrix dispersion through Pearson correlations and the Robust Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (RDWLS) extraction method. The Parallel Analysis technique suggested the number of factors to be retained. McDonald's Omega and Cronbach's alpha were performed to test internal consistency. RESULTS: After two rounds, the LEAFQ-ITA maintained the same amount of items and gained the consensus of content validation specialists. From the sample of 215 questionnaires answered, a sub-sample of 105 participants answered the LEAFQ-ITA twice (mean age: 26.1 ± 4.7 years old; mean body mass index: 21.3 ± 2.6 kg/m; physical activity of 3.9 ± 1.3 days/week on average). Among them, 56 women (37.6%) obtained a were classified at risk of LEA by the final score of LEAFQ-ITA ≥8. The single measurement intraclass correlation coefficient resulted in 0.832 (F = 10.849, df = 105, < 0.000, 95% confidence interval: 0.762-0.882), which suggests high reliability. Although initially hypothesizing the presence of 3 factors, the parallel analysis suggested 2 factors as being the most representative of the data. Measures of McDonald's Omega (0.65) and Cronbach's alpha (0.64) suggested acceptable internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The LEAFQ-ITA is a valid instrument for identifying Italian physically active women with physiological symptoms possibly related to LEA or REDs. Future research should focus on validating this instrument in other countries and languages.
How reliable is the labeling of a commercial phytosteroid product? A 12-week randomized double-blind training study.
Dissemond J, Havers T, Held S … +6 more , Geisler S, Kostov T, Diel P, Türschmann S, Parr MK, Isenmann E
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40781783 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Phytosteroids like 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and diosgenin (DSG) have shown promising anabolic and performance-enhancing effects in in vitro, animal, and human studies. Combining phytosteroids is common in s...
INTRODUCTION: Phytosteroids like 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and diosgenin (DSG) have shown promising anabolic and performance-enhancing effects in in vitro, animal, and human studies. Combining phytosteroids is common in supplements, with early in vitro research suggesting additive effects via distinct signaling pathways. However, human studies on the combined effects of 20E and DSG are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the anabolic and performance-enhancing potential of a commercially available 20E and DSG supplement. METHODS: Twenty-eight resistance-trained young men were recruited for this study. Participants were randomized into two groups: a 20E and DSG (EcDi) group, and a placebo (Plac) group. Both groups performed free-weight resistance training three times per week for 12 weeks. The EcDi group received a commercially available phytosteroid product three times a day (as recommended on the label), while the Plac group received a placebo product. Assessments were conducted at four time points (T0, T1 [4 weeks], T2 [8 weeks], T3 [12 weeks]) and included measurements of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises, as well as body weight (BW), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), fat mass (FM), and muscle thickness of the pectoralis major (PM) and the proximal, middle and distal regions of the anterior (i.e. and ) and lateral quadriceps femoris (i.e. and ). Liver and kidney function, along with endocrine parameters, were measured via blood samples pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, the concentration of 20E and DSG in the product was measured by LC-MS/MS, and its biological activity was evaluated using C2C12 cells after the intervention. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (LMM). RESULTS: Twenty-four participants completed the study successfully. Significant improvements in 1-RM SQ and BP were observed across both groups, indicating a time but no specific group effect. Similarly, significant time effects without group effects were found for FFM, MM, FM and muscle thickness (anterior quadriceps femoris at 30%, lateral quadriceps femoris at 50% and PM). Subsequent analyses of the supplement revealed that less than 1% of the claimed 20E concentration and 10.4% of the claimed DSG concentration were present in the capsules. In addition, no biological activity or hypertrophic effects were detected in the C2C12 cells. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the prescribed resistance training protocol resulted in significant anabolic and performance-enhancing effects that did not differ between groups. The lack of group-specific differences suggests that the tested phytosteroid supplement did not provide additional benefits. The significant discrepancy between the claimed and actual 20E and DSG concentration resulted in the lack of biological activity in C2C12 cells and likely contributed to the absence of measurable group-specific effects. To enhance the reliability of future phytosteroid research, we strongly recommend: (1) verification of active compound concentrations in supplements, its actual content and absence of potential contamination with prohibited substances, (2) confirmation of their biological activity using models. Implementing these measures will help to minimize inconsistencies and enhance the reliability of future studies on phytosteroids.
Elevated extracellular water to total body water ratio and low phase angle in relation to muscle function in middle-aged and older adults.
Lai TF, Park JH, Jang M … +9 more , Chen J, Shin MJ, Moon E, Kang JM, Lee JW, Cho YJ, Liao Y, Goh TS, Lee JS
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40771175 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Decline in muscle function is a major health concern in aging populations, increasing the risk for disability and frailty. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a practical method to assess physiologi...
BACKGROUND: Decline in muscle function is a major health concern in aging populations, increasing the risk for disability and frailty. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a practical method to assess physiological status in community settings. BIA-derived parameters include the phase angle (PhA), an indicator of cellular health and integrity, and the extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio, which reflects fluid balance and systemic inflammation. Objective: While these markers have been independently linked to adverse health outcomes, their combined utility for stratifying the risk of functional decline remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the joint association of PhA and ECW/TBW status with poor muscle function in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 695 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 50 years (mean age 75.7 ± 8.9 years; 21.4% male; mean BMI 24.6 ± 3.6 kg/m). PhA and ECW/TBW were measured using a BWA 2.0 Body Water Analyzer (InBody BWA, Inc. Audubon, PA, USA) in a seated position. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their PhA and ECW/TBW status: Normal PhA/Normal ECW/TBW ( = 258), Normal PhA/Elevated ECW/TBW ( = 323), and Lower PhA/Elevated ECW/TBW ( = 114). Logistic regression was used to assess the association with low physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤ 9) and low grip strength. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic and clinical confounders, the Lower PhA/Elevated ECW/TBW group showed significant associations with both low physical function (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.63-5.81) and low grip strength (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.20-4.85), as well as their co-occurrence (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.53-6.27). No significant associations were found for the Normal PhA/Elevated ECW/TBW group after adjustment. CONCLUSION: The combination of a lower PhA and an elevated ECW/TBW ratio is significantly associated with poor muscle function. This combined BIA profile may serve as a useful, noninvasive screening tool for identifying individuals at high risk of functional decline in community settings.
Segmental fat-free mass and lean soft mass: a comparative study with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometry and development of anthropometric prediction models.
Baglietto N, Albaladejo-Saura M, Esparza-Ros F … +2 more , Mecherques-Carini M, Vaquero-Cristóbal R
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40762907 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Although dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry (ANT) are commonly used to evaluate body composition, evidence on their agreement at the segmental level rem...
BACKGROUND: Although dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry (ANT) are commonly used to evaluate body composition, evidence on their agreement at the segmental level remains limited. This study aimed to compare intra-subject differences in DXA, BIA, and ANT for estimating segmental weight (SW), fat-free mass (FFM), and lean soft mass (LSM) and to examines sex-related influences, and to develop anthropometric prediction equations using DXA as the reference. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 258 young adults (157 males, 101 females). Participants were assessed using DXA, BIA, and ANT. SW, FFM, and LSM were estimated in kilograms and percentages for the upper limbs, trunk, and lower limbs using DXA and BIA. FFM was also estimated using anthropometry (ANT). RESULTS: Significant intra-subject differences were observed between methods across most body segments ( ≤ 0.049), except for SW in the right upper limb ( = 0.328) and LSM in the trunk ( = 0.186) for females. Sex covariable showed a significant influence on the differences found in these comparisons ( ≤ 0.032). Females exhibited lower values of SW, FFM, and LSM in the upper limbs, while males showed higher values of FFM and LSM specifically in the trunk and lower limbs. Bland - Altman analysis revealed a general lack of agreement between DXA and both BIA and ANT, except for BIA when estimating SW in the right upper limb in females ( = 0.167). The new anthropometric equations demonstrated high predictive accuracy (R > 0.750), with slightly lower values in the upper limbs of females for FFM and LSM (R = 0.688-0.723). Key predictors included body mass, corrected girths, and segmental lengths. CONCLUSIONS: DXA, BIA, and ANT showed significant differences in estimating SW, FFM, and LSM, highlighting their lack of interchangeability. Sex was a significant factor, indicating its importance in body composition estimation. The new anthropometric equations showed good comparability with DXA, although their predictive performance was slightly lower in the upper limbs of females for FFM and LSM.
Acute creatine supplementation enhances technical performance in adolescent basketball players under cognitive-motor dual-task condition.
Wu J, Qiu P, Li Y
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Sep · PMID 40758095 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Basketball games involve numerous cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) situations, where athletes must execute technical skills while processing complex on-court information. However, adolescent athletes often ex...
BACKGROUND: Basketball games involve numerous cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) situations, where athletes must execute technical skills while processing complex on-court information. However, adolescent athletes often experience performance declines under CMDT conditions due to increased cognitive load. Creatine supplementation has been shown to enhance both physical and cognitive functions, but its acute effects on basketball skill performance under CMDT conditions remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of acute creatine supplementation on the technical performance of adolescent basketball players under single-task (ST) and CMDT conditions. METHODS: A randomized counterbalanced crossover design with a Latin square arrangement was used to recruit 40 male adolescent basketball players (13-14 years old) with provincial-level competitive experience. Participants received either creatine monohydrate (0.3 g/kg/day for 5 days, plus 0.1 g/kg pretest) or placebo, with a 4-week washout period between phases. To minimize learning and order effects, a standardized familiarization session was conducted prior to testing, and the sequence of ST and CMDT conditions was counterbalanced using a Latin square design. The CMDT condition required players to perform a continuous subtraction task while executing dribbling, passing, and shooting tasks. Performance metrics, subtraction task accuracy, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were conducted for statistical analysis (α = 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). RESULTS: Under CMDT conditions, creatine supplementation significantly improved performance in dribbling, passing, and shooting tasks (all < 0.05), while only dribbling and shooting performance improved under ST conditions ( < 0.05). Dual-task cost significantly decreased in dribbling and passing ( < 0.05), but not in shooting ( > 0.05). Subtraction task accuracy improved only during shooting ( = 0.013). Additionally, creatine supplementation significantly reduced heart rate and RPE scores across all tasks and both conditions ( < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute creatine supplementation enhances technical performance in adolescent basketball players under CMDT conditions, reduces physiological and psychological load, and supports its use as a short-term nutritional intervention to optimize game performance.
The effects of mental fatigue and caffeine on basketball performance: insights from a crossover study.
Hemmat M, Nazemzadegan G, Niknam A … +2 more , Daryanoosh F, Koushkie Jahromi M
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40726020 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The interactive effect of mental fatigue and caffeine consumption on sport performance is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue and caffeine gum consumption on power and skil...
BACKGROUND: The interactive effect of mental fatigue and caffeine consumption on sport performance is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue and caffeine gum consumption on power and skill performance in recreationally trained male basketball players. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, crossover design was used, with twenty male participants (age: 16.7 ± 0.86 years, body mass: 79.6 ± 8.2 kg, height: 183.2 ± 8.6 cm, training experience ≥ 3 years). Participants completed four testing sessions under the following conditions: (1) no mental fatigue with placebo gum, (2) mental fatigue with placebo gum, (3) no mental fatigue with caffeine gum, and (4) mental fatigue with caffeine gum. The sessions were separated by one week. Mental fatigue was induced through a 30-minute Stroop task, and caffeine gum (50 mg of caffeine per piece) was administered 15 minutes before performance testing. Power and skill performance were assessed via vertical jump height, V-CUT dribbling test, medicine ball throw, and stationary two-point shooting, with three attempts per test. RESULTS: Mental fatigue significantly increased time to react for congruent name and color (Z = 3.9, < 0.001) and incongruent name and color (Z = 3.9, < 0.001), as well as perceived fatigue (Z = 3.9, < 0.001) after the Stroop task. Performance analysis revealed a significant main effect of condition on vertical jump height (F = 2.9, = 0.04) and V-CUT dribbling performance (F = 4.4, = 0.007), but not on medicine ball throw, change of direction test, or stationary two-point shooting ( > 0.05). Mental fatigue (mental fatigue with placebo gum) significantly impaired vertical jump height ( = 0.008) and V-CUT dribbling performance ( = 0.049) compared to the no mental fatigue with placebo gum condition. No significant differences were found between other condition pairs for these performance measures. CONCLUSION: Mental fatigue negatively affects power and skill performance in basketball players, while caffeine gum consumption may offer a potential strategy to mitigate these effects. While caffeine gum attenuated some performance declines in the mental fatigue with caffeine gum condition compared to mental fatigue with placebo gum, these differences were not statistically significant. Future research should explore optimal caffeine doses and additional performance variables.
No effects of caffeine on cycling to exhaustion and perceptual responses in non-caffeine-restricted subjects.
Weippert M, Behrens M, Schlegel M … +6 more , Schröder T, Tillmann M, Rühe N, Römer R, Mau-Möller A, Bruhn S
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40704635 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Caffeine has been shown to improve endurance performance probably primary due to its pharmacological effects in the central nervous system modifying, among others, the perceptual responses during exercise....
INTRODUCTION: Caffeine has been shown to improve endurance performance probably primary due to its pharmacological effects in the central nervous system modifying, among others, the perceptual responses during exercise. However, most studies proving the performance-enhancing effects of caffeine utilized an experimental caffeine restriction phase prior to the measurement sessions. Therefore, the effects of 2.5 and 6 mg*kg oral caffeine ingestion on endurance performance, perceptual, affective, and cognitive responses during exercise, as well as time perception, were investigated in participants following their normal "ad libitum" daily diet. METHODS: Two double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled cross-over studies were performed to test the effect of 2.5 ( = 35, age: 23.3 ± 3.5 years, habitual caffeine consumption of 106 ± 89 mg*day) and 6.0 mg*kg ( = 21, age: 21.2 ± 2.3 years, habitual caffeine consumption of 87 ± 64 mg*day) oral caffeine ingestion on time to exhaustion (TTE), perceived fatigue, perceptual-discriminatory (effort perception, physical strain), affective-motivational (affective valence, arousal, dominance, motivation, boredom), and cognitive-evaluative responses (decisional conflict, attentional focus) as well as time perception (time production and estimation) and heart rate during cycling at 65% peak power. Participants were low-to-moderate caffeine consumers (one participant in each study reported no habitual caffeine intake) and asked to follow their regular "ad libitum" diet without any restrictions regarding caffeinated beverages and/or food during the studies. RESULTS: Neither a dose of 2.5 nor of 6.0 mg*kg was found to be superior to placebo with respect to TTE, perceived fatigue, the perceptual-discriminatory, affective-motivational, and cognitive-evaluative responses to exercise, as well as time perception. CONCLUSION: Both dosages of caffeine had no effect on TTE, perceived fatigue, perceptual-discriminatory, affective-motivational, and cognitive-evaluative responses to exercise, as well as on time perception and heart rate in low-to-moderate caffeine consumers without a prior experimental caffeine restriction phase. The findings suggest that caffeine´s positive effects on endurance performance and perceptual responses to exercise found in previous studies might be partly explained by the reversal of adverse effects induced by a prior caffeine restriction phase.
Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training.
Kripp AM, Tahir A, Draxler A … +3 more , Speiser M, Wagner KH, König D
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40697094 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: Established guidelines recommend carbohydrate-rich diets to optimize performance in endurance sports. However, alternative dietary strategies, such as the low-arbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet, have gain...
INTRODUCTION: Established guidelines recommend carbohydrate-rich diets to optimize performance in endurance sports. However, alternative dietary strategies, such as the low-arbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet, have gained increasing attention due to their potential to influence metabolic flexibility and endurance performance outcomes. In this study, we aim to investigate the combined effects of a LCHF diet, along with low glycemic index (LOW-GI) and high glycemic index (HIGH-GI) diets, in conjunction with regular endurance exercise, on the metabolomic profiles of recreational runners. The classification into LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups is based on the premise that metabolic regulation, particularly insulin response and glucose metabolism, differs significantly between the consumption of high-glycemic and low-glycemic foods. METHODS: The participants ( = 49, 28 ± 4 years, BMI: 24.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2, VO2 peak: 56 ± 8 ml/min/kg) were randomly allocated to a LOW-GI ( = 16), a HIGH-GI ( = 16) or a LCHF ( = 17) diet for 10 weeks and the same endurance training intervention. Fasting plasma samples were collected both pre- and post-intervention and were prepared for non-targeted metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The LCHF diet had a considerable impact on plasma lipids, whereas the respective effects in the LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups were less pronounced. Specifically, 179 up- or down-regulated metabolites were identified in the LCHF group, 111 in the LOW-GI group, and 139 in the HIGH-GI group. Phospholipids and sphingolipids were found to be the most prominent metabolites in the samples. Furthermore, the regulation of glycerolipids, carnitine, amino acids, and carbon acids exhibited differential patterns across the groups. DISCUSSION: There is evidence to suggest that the LCHF diet enhances fat metabolism, as indicated by increased levels of carnitine and ketone bodies, as well as a downregulation of amino acids. Conversely, the presence of specific carbon acids might diminish carbohydrate metabolism and impair endurance performance. In contrast, the LOW-GI group may have demonstrated augmented metabolic flexibility due to the upregulations of both carnitines and carbon acids in the samples. The elevated glycerolipids content in the HIGH-GI group suggests a potential reduction in fatty acid oxidation due to hyperinsulinemia.
A caffeine and theacrine combination improves cognitive performance in tactical personnel under physically fatiguing conditions.
Lints BS, Harrison AT, Stray-Gundersen SO … +8 more , Mastrofini GF, Romersi RF, Nakagawa NK, Yoder MB, Martin-Diala CE, Chandler AJ, Moore RD, Arent SM
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40693646 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Optimizing human performance under stressful physical and cognitive conditions is paramount during high-stakes military operations. As such, interventions to improve warfighter performance by mitigating task-...
BACKGROUND: Optimizing human performance under stressful physical and cognitive conditions is paramount during high-stakes military operations. As such, interventions to improve warfighter performance by mitigating task-induced cognitive performance deficits are necessary. While caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, common side effects (i.e. anxiousness, micro-saccades, irritability) may be detrimental to warfighter operations. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid similar in structure to caffeine but with a longer half-life, less habituation, and fewer side effects, is proposed as a caffeine-alternative to enhance cognitive resilience. METHODS: Tactically trained participants ( = 20; F = 5; = 16; age = 21.5 ± 3.8 y) completed one baseline and three experimental visits. Baseline included familiarization with cognitive tasks and a graded exercise test to determine VO. Experimental sessions, separated by ≥96 hours, were double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized. Participants completed cognitive testing (Dynavision, Trazer, Object Hit and Avoid, Anti-Saccade, Two-Back), consumed either 300 mg caffeine (CAF), 150 mg caffeine +150 mg theacrine (CTC), or placebo (PLA), and repeated cognitive tests 60-min post supplementation. After a high-intensity interval exercise session (10 intervals at >90% VO with recovery), reaction time (RT) tests were repeated after the 4th and 8th intervals, as well as immediately and 30-min post-exercise. Heart rate was measured continuously. Change scores were calculated from baseline, and data analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05) with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Both CAF and CTC consistently enhanced cognitive and physical performance compared to PLA. In the Two-Back task, CTC showed significantly higher total accuracy ( < 0.01), while both CAF and CTC had fewer target ( < 0.01) and non-target errors (CAF: = 0.03; CTC: < 0.01) than PLA. CTC also had significantly faster RTs ( = 0.03) and lower RT variability for non-target trials compared to both PLA and CAF ( < 0.01). For the Dynavision Go/NoGo task, both CTC ( = 0.01) and CAF ( = 0.03) had significantly faster RTs than PLA, regardless of time point. Post-exercise, accuracy ( = 0.01) and RTs ( < 0.01) improved significantly compared to post-supplement. In the Object Hit & Avoid task, CAF and CTC significantly improved task accuracy ( < 0.01) while reducing omission ( < 0.01) and commission errors ( < 0.01) compared to PLA. HRV measures (RMSSD, NN intervals, SDNN) significantly increased post-supplementation ( < 0.01) but decreased immediately ( < 0.01) and 30 min post-exercise ( < 0.01). Blood lactate significantly declined at 5 ( < 0.01) and 10 min ( < 0.01) post-exercise compared to immediately post-exercise. CONCLUSION: SIngestion of CAF and CTC improved various measures of cognitive performance before, and after fatiguing exercise. Furthermore, CTC had additional cognitive benefits beyond CAF. Thus, combining lower-dose caffeine and theacrine may improve cognitive-behavioral performance before and after fatiguing exercise to an equal or greater degree than higher doses of caffeine alone. This combination offers a non-pharmacological intervention for those who experience side effects with caffeine to mitigate the impact of physical and cognitive stress. Future research should examine higher doses of theacrine alone or with caffeine, chronic supplementation, extended exercise durations, and different cognitive metrics under varied stress and environmental conditions.
Proceedings of the International creatine conference 2025 - Munich, Germany.
Bonilla DA, Stout JR, Kreider RB
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Sep · PMID 40685622 · Full text
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Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Nakayama K, Ito K, Minegishi Y … +3 more , Ota N, Ebihara S, Sanbongi C
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40684312 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a structural membrane that covers the globules of triglycerides dispersed in an emulsion of milk. In previous human studies, MFGM ingestion combined with light aerobic...
BACKGROUND: The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a structural membrane that covers the globules of triglycerides dispersed in an emulsion of milk. In previous human studies, MFGM ingestion combined with light aerobic exercise training improved agility in elderly individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 4 weeks of daily ingestion of MFGM combined with power training improves instantaneous physical strength - muscle strength, agility, and muscle power compared with placebo (whey protein isolate) in healthy young adults. METHOD: The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-eight healthy young adults aged 20-49 completed the study intervention, and they received either an MFGM powder containing 1.7 g of fat and 160 mg of sphingomyelin or an isocaloric placebo powder daily throughout 4 weeks (3 times/week) of power training. Physical strength tests and body composition measurements were conducted before and after the four-week intervention. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with baseline values as a covariate was carried out to test differences in post intervention values between groups. RESULTS: Ingestion of MFGM significantly improved peak torque ( = 0.003) and average power ( = 0.019) of isokinetic knee extensors, leg press 1 repetition maximum (RM) ( = 0.004) and sit-ups reps ( = 0.030), but not indicators of agility, compared with placebo after the 4-week intervention. There were no significant changes in lean body mass during the intervention period in either group and no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that daily MFGM supplementation combined with power training are effective to improve instantaneous physical strength, such as muscle strength and power, compared with placebo in healthy young adults.
Proceedings of the Twenty-First International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo.
Kerksick CM, Escalante G, Campbell B … +2 more , Kalman D, Antonio J
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2024 Jul · PMID 40678833 · Full text
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Creatine monohydrate supplementation for older adults and clinical populations.
Candow DG, Ostojic SM, Chilibeck PD … +9 more , Longobardi I, Gualano B, Tarnopolsky MA, Wallimann T, Moriarty T, Kreider RB, Forbes SC, Schlattner U, Antonio J
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Sep · PMID 40673730 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The biological process of aging is typically associated with a decrease in muscle quantity, muscle performance (primarily strength), bone mass and architecture, functionality and neurological/cognitive functi...
BACKGROUND: The biological process of aging is typically associated with a decrease in muscle quantity, muscle performance (primarily strength), bone mass and architecture, functionality and neurological/cognitive function. From a healthy aging perspective, interventions that have the potential to overcome or attenuate these decrements are clinically relevant. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review on the efficacy of creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) in older adults. RESULTS: Accumulating research shows that CrM, primarily when combined with exercise training, is safe and has beneficial effects on measures of whole-body lean body mass, regional muscle size, muscle strength, bone area and thickness, functional ability, glucose kinetics, cognition and memory. CONCLUSION: CrM has multiple benefits in older adults and may have application for treating age-related sarcopenia, osteoporosis, frailty, and those with metabolic and neuromuscular disorders.
Nutritional status and practices among Chinese marathon runners: data from the China marathon nutrition survey (CMNS).
Chen Y, Zhao X, Li X … +6 more , Wen W, Zhang J, Lu Z, Liang Y, Zhang C, Qiu J
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40662766 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The increasing popularity of marathon running in China highlights the need to better understand the dietary habits and nutritional needs of marathon runners to optimize performance and health outcomes. The st...
BACKGROUND: The increasing popularity of marathon running in China highlights the need to better understand the dietary habits and nutritional needs of marathon runners to optimize performance and health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the dietary behaviors, nutritional knowledge, and running-specific nutritional practices of Chinese marathon runners as part of the China Marathon Nutrition Survey (CMNS). METHODS: This nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and December 2024. Participants were recruited via official websites, social media, and onsite events. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire, referred to as the , was developed by the research team for the CMNS project. The CMNS questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, running experience, and nutrition-related behaviors among Chinese marathon runners across different genders, ages, and performance levels. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with nutritional practices. RESULTS: A total of 5668 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis, comprising 77.6% male (39.8 ± 10.9 yrs) and 22.4% female (41.0 ± 9.7 yrs) runners, representing a wide distribution across age groups and performance levels. Nearly half of the runners (49.1%) of runners reported no specific dietary habits, while among those with dietary practices, 26.4% adhered to a high-carbohydrate diet. In terms of running-related nutrition, 23.3% of Chinese runners regularly or frequently used dietary supplements, and 31.7% used them occasionally before important races. Carbohydrate-loading strategies were adopted by 57.2% of runners prior to races. However, only 36.7% of participants met the recommended fluid intake (1500-1700 mL/day) set by the Chinese Nutrition Society. Higher nutrition knowledge significantly predicted adherence to recommended hydration practices ( < 0.001), according to logistic regression analysis. Significant variability in the nutritional knowledge of Chinese marathon runners was observed, with 36.6% scoring 6 or higher on a 9-point scale. Male runners (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.22-1.57, < 0.001) and younger participants (≤34 years) (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.22-1.66, < 0.001) tended to score higher. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the nutritional knowledge, dietary behaviors, and race-specific nutrition practices of Chinese marathon runners, offering important baseline data for improving endurance nutrition. Common issues were identified in daily macronutrient intake, hydration, and race-day fueling. These findings underscore the gaps between knowledge and practice, emphasizing the need for tailored nutrition education, particularly for recreational runners through race organizers or public platforms.
"Common questions and misconceptions about dietary supplements and the industry - What does science and the law really say?".
Antonio J, Antonio B, Aragon A … +9 more , Bustillo E, Candow D, Collins R, Davila E, Durkin B, Kalman D, Lockwood C, Mills S, Stout JR
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40662344 · Full text
Dietary supplement use is popular among fitness enthusiasts as well as competitive athletes. There is, however, confusion regarding the regulatory framework as well as the basic science regarding the use of supplements....
Dietary supplement use is popular among fitness enthusiasts as well as competitive athletes. There is, however, confusion regarding the regulatory framework as well as the basic science regarding the use of supplements. Although there is an extensive body of scientific and legal writings on dietary supplements, several misconceptions persist vis-à-vis this category. Thus, the following questions will be addressed in this review. 1) Are dietary supplements regulated by the Food and Drug Administration? 2) Are foods and supplements regulated similarly? 3) What is the role of the Federal Trade Commission? 4) Besides federal regulations for dietary supplements, do state laws also regulate the category? 5) If a supplement company funds a study, does that automatically call into question the results? 6) Can diet alone provide everything you need without using supplements? 7) Is it necessary to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on dietary supplements? 8) How safe are supplements compared to OTC drugs? 9) Where can consumers find accurate information about supplements? 10) Why does the NIH fund dietary supplement research related to disease, yet findings cannot be marketed by supplement companies? 11) What is the size of the dietary supplement industry compared to the pharmaceutical industry? 12) How can I know if a dietary supplement is safe and free of banned substances? Similar to our prior papers, a team of legal and science scholars evaluated the evidence on these salient questions.
Comparison of athlete diet index and body composition between professional and non-professional athletes: a comparative cross-sectional study.
Dehghani E, Gohari Dezfuli Z, Shab Bidar S … +3 more , Torki F, Seif Barghi T, Djafarian K
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40657974 · Full text
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the Athlete Diet Index (ADI) and body composition between professional and nonprofessional athletes to better understand how differences in training and nutrition impact athletic p...
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the Athlete Diet Index (ADI) and body composition between professional and nonprofessional athletes to better understand how differences in training and nutrition impact athletic performance and health. METHOD: A comparative cross-sectional design was used to analyze 183 athletes (99 professional, 84 nonprofessional) from various sports disciplines in Tehran. Data were collected on body composition parameters, including fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FM) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and the ADI, a validated tool for assessing diet quality. RESULTS: The results revealed that professional athletes had significantly lower FM percentages (16.2% ± 7.1%) and higher FFM percentages (80.8% ± 6.8%) compared to their nonprofessional counterparts (FM 18.8% ± 9.9%, FFM 78.0% ± 9.6%). Additionally, professional athletes exhibited higher ADI scores, indicating better adherence to sports nutrition guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the benefits of structured training and personalized nutrition in achieving favorable body composition. This study underscores the importance of personalized nutrition strategies for optimizing athletic health and performance, particularly for nonprofessional athletes who may not have access to professional dietary guidance. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of dietary and training interventions on body composition and athletic performance across various athlete populations.
Effects of small sided football and date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) powder supplementation on liver enzymes in inactive college subjects: an interventional study.
Khaleghi MM, Zar A, Sadeghipour HR
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40650439 · Full text
PURPOSE: In recent years, the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders and liver dysfunction due to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition has become a growing health concern. This study investigates the effects of smal...
PURPOSE: In recent years, the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders and liver dysfunction due to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition has become a growing health concern. This study investigates the effects of small sided football (SSF) and date seed powder (DSP) supplementation on liver enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the ALT/AST ratio in inactive college subjects. METHODS: Fifteen inactive male dormitory residents aged 21.53 ± 1.88 years (height: 174.46 ± 4.88 cm, weight: 67.67 ± 11.05 kg), who exclusively consumed university cafeteria meals, participated in two football matches. Between these matches, they consumed 0.25 g/kg of body weight of DSP thrice weekly for four weeks. Blood samples and anthropometric indices were collected before and after each game. RESULTS: The results indicated that SSF alone led to a reduction in ALT, ALP, and the ALT/AST ratio, while increasing AST levels ( > 0.05). Furthermore, it was observed that supplementation with DSP resulted in an increase in ALT, AST ( = 0.019), and ALP, along with a decrease in the ALT/AST ratio. Additionally, the findings revealed that SSF following one month of DSP supplementation led to an increase in ALT, AST ( = 0.002), and ALP ( = 0.035), while decreasing the ALT/AST ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of supplementation with DSP and SSF can improve liver enzyme levels, such as ALT, AST, and ALP, which indicate physiological adaptation to exercise and the potential impact of supplements on liver metabolism.
Nutritional strategies for minimizing gastrointestinal symptoms during endurance exercise: systematic review of the literature.
Mlinaric J, Mohorko N
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40650376 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a critical role in achieving peak athletic performance either during training or in competitions. Despite its significance, the GI tract's role in the training process of...
BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a critical role in achieving peak athletic performance either during training or in competitions. Despite its significance, the GI tract's role in the training process of athletes is often neglected, resulting in frequent GI symptoms. These disturbances are particularly prevalent in endurance sports, where GI function is commonly compromised, leading to adverse effects on performance. In this review, we examine potential nutritional causes of the GI symptoms and provide possible solutions to mitigate them, aiming to enhance athletes' overall performance and well-being. METHODS: PRISMA methodology was used to search through PubMed Database from January 2023 to March 2023. The selected studies were comprised of randomized controlled trials, crossover trials and case studies. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The studies were categorized into five distinct areas of research on GI symptoms in endurance exercise: gut training protocols, effects of different carbohydrate solutions and mixtures, low FODMAP diet, hydrogel CHO technology, and probiotic supplementation.Gut training protocols seem promising in improving GI symptoms over time. Optimizing carbohydrate intake during exercise according to current recommendations has been associated with lower incidence and severity of GI symptoms as well. The low FODMAP diet also shows potential to reduce GI symptoms, although its restrictive nature could negatively affect athletes in other ways. Hydrogel carbohydrate products, at present, do not demonstrate any benefits over standard carbohydrate products. Probiotic supplementation shows mixed evidence regarding its effectiveness in alleviating and reducing GI symptoms during endurance exercise. CONCLUSION: We have acknowledged that the onset of GI symptoms is very complex, and that onset is influenced by a huge variety of factors. It should be emphasized that the elimination of GI symptoms in each athlete must be approached individually and thoughtfully.
Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men.
Ding L, Liu J, Ma Y … +5 more , Bai L, Guo L, Chen B, Cao Y, Girard O
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40631405 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Caffeine, widely used as an ergogenic aid, has been extensively studied regarding its dosage and timing of ingestion. However, the impact of different administration methods on caffeine's performance-enhancin...
BACKGROUND: Caffeine, widely used as an ergogenic aid, has been extensively studied regarding its dosage and timing of ingestion. However, the impact of different administration methods on caffeine's performance-enhancing effects remains relatively underexplored. This study compared the effects of caffeine administered via chewing gum versus capsules on maximal strength, muscular power, and side effects during bench press and back squat exercises. METHODS: Sixteen resistance-trained males participated in a double-blind, randomized trial, ingesting either a 4 mg/kg caffeine capsule (CC) or placebo capsule (PC) one hour before testing, or a 4 mg/kg caffeinated gum (CG) (4 mg/kg) or placebo gum (PG) five minutes prior. Assessments including one-repetition maximum (1RM) and muscular power at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%1RM for bench press and back squat. RESULTS: Caffeine increased 1RM (+2.1-5.0%) and muscular power (+6.1-20.0%) in both the bench press and back squat compared to placebo (all < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between CC and CG for maximal strength or muscular power (all > 0.05). Furthermore, CG was associated with fewer reports of gastrointestinal discomfort (12.5% vs. 37.5%) immediately post-exercise and tachycardia/heart palpitations (0% vs. 25.0%) at 24 hours compared to CC (all < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Caffeinated gum (4 mg/kg) produced ergogenic effects comparable to capsules in enhancing maximal strength and muscular power during bench press and back squat exercises, with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men.
Exercise with fasting or isotonic drink? A randomized controlled trial in youth elite basketball players.
Márton P, Bátai LK, Takács T … +10 more , Csulak E, Kiss AR, Kopper B, Szabó LE, Balla D, Petrov I, Lázár L, Vágó H, Merkely B, Sydó N
J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2025 Dec · PMID 40627440 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Pre-exercise carbohydrate intake is known to influence performance; however, data describing their effect on cardiorespiratory parameters is scarce. This study aimed to assess the effects of isotonic drink co...
BACKGROUND: Pre-exercise carbohydrate intake is known to influence performance; however, data describing their effect on cardiorespiratory parameters is scarce. This study aimed to assess the effects of isotonic drink consumption on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) parameters in elitemale youth basketball players. METHODS: The athletes were randomized into a fasting (400 ml mineral water) and an isotonic drink (400 ml 7% isotonic solution) group respectively, and consumed the drinks 30 minutes before the CPET. Pre-, peak- and post-CPET glucose levels were measured. Borg and lactate were assessed every 2 minutes during the test. RESULTS: Seventy-one athletes (age: 15.9 ± 1.8 years) were included in the study. The isotonic drink group had higher pre- and post-CPET glucose levels ( < 0.05). They reported a lower Borg scale at the 2nd, 6th, and 10th minutes ( < 0.05), while their lactate levels were lower at the 14th minute ( < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that fasting was associated with higher Borg scale ratings (β-coefficient: 0.72, < 0.001) and increased lactate accumulation over time (β-coefficient: 0.13, = 0.01). No difference was found in exercise duration or maximal aerobic capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose isotonic drink consumption before CPET reduces perceived exertion and moderates lactate accumulation, which may suggest a beneficial effect during the exercise test.
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