Ergogenic Aids to Improve Physical Performance in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Most intervention studies investigating the effects of ergogenic aids (EAs) on sports performance have been carried out in the male population. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the effects in the existing literature of EAs used by female athletes on performance. A literature research was conducted, and a descriptive analysis of the articles included in the systematic review was carried out. Meta-analyses could be performed on 32 of the included articles, evaluating performance in strength, sprint, and cardiovascular capacity. A random-effects model and the standardized mean differences (SMD) ± 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. The results showed that caffeine helped to improve jumping performance, isometric strength values, and the number of repetitions until failure. Caffeine and sodium phosphate helped to improve sprint performance. Aerobic tests could be improved with the use of taurine, caffeine, and beta-alanine. No conclusive effects of beetroot juice, polyphenols, or creatine in improving aerobic performance were shown. In terms of anaerobic variables, both caffeine and sodium phosphate could help to improve repeated sprint ability. More studies are needed in female athletes that measure the effects of different EAs on sports performance, such as beetroot juice, beta-alanine or sodium phosphate, as the studies to date are scarce and there are many types of EA that need to be further considered in this population, such as creatine and taurine.

Analysis of Actual Fitness Supplement Consumption among Health and Fitness Enthusiasts

“…Another study focused on ergogenic supplements' effects on the performance of cycling athletes; they had a positive effect on the speed and endurance of the cyclists [54]. Similarly, López-Torres et al [55] discovered that the consumption of ergogenic supplements aided in the performance of female athletes and enhanced their efficacy to reach specific physical needs and goals. In addition, Gacek [56] investigated the determinants of nutritional choices of Polish handball players; it was found that self-efficacy and the consumption of vegetables are positively correlated, thus indicating their belief in achieving specific goals.…”

Polyphenol supplementation boosts aerobic endurance in athletes: systematic review

“…In recent years, professional sports teams and amateur enthusiasts have widely embraced natural plant extracts and phytochemicals to enhance their athletic performance, speed up post-exercise recovery, and maintain their overall physical health ( Striegel et al, 2005 ; Kim et al, 2011 ; Darvishi et al, 2013 ; Knapik et al, 2016 ). Polyphenols represent a crucial category of natural botanical extracts, and there is mounting evidence to suggest their significant potential in enhancing athletic performance and aiding recovery ( Bai et al, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; López-Torres et al, 2022 ; Sánchez Díaz et al, 2022 ; Roberts et al, 2023 ; Zare et al, 2023 ).…”

Warm-up music and low-dose caffeine enhance the activity profile and psychophysiological responses during simulated combat in female taekwondo athletes

“…In the quest for optimal performance, athletes and coaches have a range of potential pre-conditioning and nutritional strategies at their disposal, many of which can be employed to facilitate performance on the day of competition 5 , 6 . In the context of the latter, nutritional ergogenic aids, such as caffeine (CAF), have the potential to acutely facilitate performance in a variety of settings and hence they are widely consumed by athletes 6 , 7 .…”

“…In the quest for optimal performance, athletes and coaches have a range of potential pre-conditioning and nutritional strategies at their disposal, many of which can be employed to facilitate performance on the day of competition 5 , 6 . In the context of the latter, nutritional ergogenic aids, such as caffeine (CAF), have the potential to acutely facilitate performance in a variety of settings and hence they are widely consumed by athletes 6 , 7 . Performance improvements following ingestion of CAF may be manifested through a variety of potential mechanisms, including binding to adenosine receptor sites, concomitant release of neurotransmitters, altered RPE and pain perception, enhanced muscle contractile properties, and improved intramuscular metabolic environment 8 , 9 .…”

“…Despite compelling evidence to support the efficacy of CAF in a variety of sport settings in males, research investigating the efficacy of CAF in females is in its relative infancy. Caution should remain in considering males and females as a homogenous group due to the observed differences in physiology and hormones that could potentially influence processes of absorption and metabolism 6 , 10 . Indeed, there is evidence to suggest differences in the ergogenic effect of CAF on performance across different sports 11 and the occurrence of negative psychological disposition 12 between males and females, albeit this has not been observed consistently 13 , 14 .…”