Effect of nocturnal melatonin ingestion on short-term anaerobic performance in soccer players

Abstract

No study has examined whether nocturnal melatonin ingestion affects short-term maximal athletic performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nocturnal melatonin ingestion on upper and lower body anaerobic performances. Twelve professional soccer players from a Tunisian league two squad (age: 22.9 ± 1.3yrs; height: 1.8 ± 0.05 m, and body mass 72.0 ± 8.8 kg) performed three testing sessions at 21:00 h (two melatonin sessions, 5 mg or 8 mg, and one placebo session) in a double-blind, counterbalanced protocol. During each session, 30 min after melatonin or placebo ingestion, subjects performed the following tests: the squat jump, the countermovement jump, the medicine-ball throw, the five jumps, the grip strength, and agility tests. In all tests, the results showed no difference between placebo and 5 mg melatonin ingestion (p < 0.05). However, short-term maximal performances were lower after 8 mg melatonin ingestion in comparison with the placebo ingestion (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although 8 mg of melatonin has an adverse effect on physical capacities, 5 mg of melatonin ingestion does not affect short-term maximal performance.

Effect of melatonin ingestion on physical performance, metabolic responses, and recovery after an intermittent training session

“…Previous research works obtained conflicting results regarding the acute effects of exogenous MEL on athletic performance. In congruity with the present findings, some previous researches concluded that MEL ingestion had no effect on short-term ("anaerobic") (19,20,33) and endurance ("aerobic") (6, 10) performances. However, other studies have found that MEL administration had adversely affected some athletic performances (19,20).…”

“…In congruity with the present findings, some previous researches concluded that MEL ingestion had no effect on short-term ("anaerobic") (19,20,33) and endurance ("aerobic") (6, 10) performances. However, other studies have found that MEL administration had adversely affected some athletic performances (19,20). In these latter studies, which were carried out on football players, the authors found that nocturnal (i.e., 9:00 p.m.) ingestion of 8 mg of MEL, but not 5 mg of MEL, decreased short-term maximal performances (i.e., SJ and CMJ) measured 30 min after MEL ingestion (19).…”

“…This study showed a slight but non-significant decrease in vigilance 30 min after MEL ingestion. Similarly, previous studies (19,20) have found that the effect of MEL concerned cognitive performances rather than physical ones. In these studies, MEL affected alertness but also the reaction time and short-term memory.…”

“…However, other studies have found that MEL administration had adversely affected some athletic performances (19,20). In these latter studies, which were carried out on football players, the authors found that nocturnal (i.e., 9:00 p.m.) ingestion of 8 mg of MEL, but not 5 mg of MEL, decreased short-term maximal performances (i.e., SJ and CMJ) measured 30 min after MEL ingestion (19). Moreover, morning (i.e., 07:30 a.m.) ingestion of MEL (5 mg) decreased only morning (i.e., 08:00 a.m.) short-term maximal performances but not performances achieved at 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (20).…”

Morning melatonin ingestion and diurnal variation of short-term maximal performances in soccer players

“…Then, cognitive and physical tests were done according to the following order: reaction time, vigilance, MBT, 5JT, HG, and MAT were repeated at three different times of day (08:00 h, 12:00 h and 16:00 h). Tests were chosen based on previous works on cognitive and short-term physical performances specific to soccer players (11,16). All the participants stayed in the laboratory during all the experimental period (i.e., reading books, doing homework).…”