Taekwondo is a complex martial art that requires speed, balance, agility, and endurance. This study aims to examine the effects of nitrate and L-arginine supplementation on acute aerobic and anaerobic performance, balance, agility, and recovery in elite taekwondo athletes. This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized, crossover study with the participation of 15 experienced taekwondo athletes aged 19.06 ± 0.96 years and 8.93 ± 1.27 years of training experience. Participants visited the laboratory a total of nine times, including a practice session and anthropometric measurements. These visits consisted of eight experimental sessions conducted at 72-hour intervals. The experimental sessions were conducted with nitrate, L-arginine, and a combination of both supplements (NIT*L-ARG) and placebo. Nitrate supplementation was provided by homogenizing fresh spinach (837.40 mg/kg), while L-ARG was given as a single dose of 6 g in powder form three hours before exercise. NIT*L-ARG supplementation significantly improved the anaerobic performance of athletes in Wingate peak power and peak power (w/kg) compared to placebo and in mean power compared to NIT, L-ARG, and PLA. In addition, NIT*L-ARG supplementation significantly improved blood lactate levels and agility performance immediately after Wingate and Shuttle run tests. The combined intake of NIT*L-ARG was found to be effective in improving aerobic, anaerobic, and agility performances as well as fatigue levels of athletes. It was determined that taking NIT and L-ARG supplements alone contributed to the improvement of improving athletes' performance in Wingate mean power values and subsequent fatigue level compared to PLA.

Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the physiological effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation combined with resistance training on the lipid profile, inflammatory and antioxidant responses, neuro-biomarkers, and physical performance parameters in physically healthy young adults. Methods: Thirty physically active male participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (omega-3 + resistance training) or a control group (resistance training only). Over eight weeks, both groups performed a standardized resistance training program three times per week. The experimental group additionally received 3150 mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included blood biomarkers (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, GSH, MDA, BDNF, serotonin, and dopamine) and physical performance tests (1RM, CMJ, RSI, 10 m sprint, and Illinois agility). Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in the lipid profile, with decreases in LDL and triglyceride levels and an increase in HDL levels. Levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced, while GSH levels increased and MDA levels decreased, indicating an enhanced antioxidant status. The neuro-biomarker analysis revealed increased levels of BDNF, dopamine, and serotonin. Physical performance tests demonstrated greater improvements in muscular strength, power, speed, agility, and reaction-based performance in the omega-3 group compared to controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest that omega-3 supplementation, when combined with resistance training, has a multi-systemic enhancing effect on both physiological markers and physical performance. This combination may represent a promising strategy for optimizing athletic adaptations and recovery in physically active populations. Future studies should further explore these effects across different populations and training modalities.

Nitrat, sporcu beslenmesinde besinsel ergojenik destek olarak öne çıkan doğal bir bileşendir. Diyetle alınan inorganik nitratın (özellikle pancar ve yeşil yapraklı sebzelerden) nitrik okside dönüşerek vazodilatasyonu artırdığı, kas oksijenlenmesini iyileştirdiği ve enerji metabolizmasını desteklediği rapor edilmiştir. Bu derlemede, Ocak 2020 – Ocak 2025 arasında PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, EBSCOhost ve Google Scholar veri tabanları taranmış; “nitrate”, “nitric oxide”, “exercise performance”, “ergogenic aid”, “aerobic performance”, “anaerobic exercise”, “resistance training” ve “cognitive performance” anahtar kelimeleriyle ulaşılan çalışmalar incelenmiştir. Dahil etme ve hariç tutma kriterlerine göre seçilen 15 makale tematik olarak rapor edilmiştir. Bulgular, nitrat besinsel ergojenik desteğinin özellikle aerobik performansta dayanıklılığı artırma, oksijen tüketimini azaltma ve egzersiz toleransını yükseltme yönünde olumlu etkiler sağladığını göstermektedir. Anaerobik performans üzerindeki etkiler ise heterojendir; bazı çalışmalarda tekrarlı sprint ve direnç egzersizlerinde güç artışı görülürken, bazılarında anlamlı değişim rapor edilmemiştir. Ayrıca nitratın bilişsel işlev, oksidatif stres regülasyonu ve yüksek irtifa adaptasyonunda potansiyel katkılar sunduğu ancak daha fazla kanıta ihtiyaç duyulduğu belirtilmiştir. Genel olarak, nitrat metabolizması spor performansını destekleme açısından umut vericidir; ancak bireysel yanıt farklılıkları, dozaj, kullanım süresi ve antrenman düzeyi gibi faktörler göz önünde bulundurularak gelecekte randomize kontrollü ve uzun süreli çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, 8 haftalık futbol antrenmanının genç futbolcularda hız, çeviklik, dayanıklılık ve kuvvet performansına olan etkisini incelemek ve alt ekstremite kuvvet düzeylerine bakılarak Fleksör/Extensör Hamstring/Kuadriseps tepe tork (H/Q) ve Dominant/Non dominant (D/ND) bacak kuvvetlerini sapma oranlarıyla sakatlık riskini tespit etmektir. Bu doğrultuda U19 takımında yer alan yirmi dört profesyonel erkek futbolcu (yaş;18.41±1.20 yıl, vücut ağırlığı; 74.61±4.32 kg, boy; 179.62±8.14 cm, beden kütle indeksi; 23.36±4.10 kg/m2) çalışmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Futbol antrenmanın etkilerini belirlemede Yo-Yo testi (aerobik dayanıklılık), 10 m ve 30 m sprint testleri (hız), çeviklik testi, leg extension, sağ leg extension, sol leg extension, leg curl, leg press, triceps pushdown, barbell curl ve chest press hareketlerinin tekrarlı maksimal kuvvetleri ölçülmüştür. Ön ve son-test deneysel dizaynı ile yürütülen çalışmada ölçümler, antrenman programı öncesi ve 8 hafta sonrasında alınmıştır. Ek olarak futbolcuların antrenmanın öncesi ve sonrasında Fleksör/Extensör (H/Q) ve Dominant/Nondominant (D/ND) bacak kuvvet oranları hesaplanmıştır. Ön ve son-test değişkenleri arasındaki farklılık düzeyinin belirlenmesinde "Paired-Samples t Tests" uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerle antrenman sonrasında, antrenman öncesine kıyasla dayanıklılık (Yo-Yo), 30m (hız), çeviklik ve 1 tekrarlı maksimal kuvvet performansı parametrelerinde anlamlı farklılıklar olduğu (p<0.05) belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, futbolculara uygulanan antrenmanın öncesi ve sonrasında H/Q ve D/ND bacak kuvvet oranlarını optimal düzeye yaklaştığından futbol antrenmanının sakatlık riskini azaltılabileceği tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak düzenli olarak uygulanan futbol antrenmanlarının performansın aerobik dayanıklılık, maksimal kuvvet, hız bileşenlerini artırdığı ve sakatlanma riskini azalttığı söylenebilir.

Breaking is a physically demanding discipline characterized by repeated high-intensity movements and substantial anaerobic demands. This study aimed to examine the effects of four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on anaerobic performance and fatigue-related responses in competitive break dancers. Twenty-four male competitive break dancers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants completed two supplementation conditions: beta-alanine (6.4 g·day⁻¹) and placebo (6.4 g·day⁻¹ maltodextrin), each lasting four weeks and separated by a two-week washout period. Performance was assessed before and after each phase using a standardized testing sequence consisting of a pre-exercise countermovement jump, the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test, a post-exercise countermovement jump, and ratings of perceived exertion. Significant condition × time interactions were observed for countermovement jump performance and Running Anaerobic Sprint Test mean power (p < 0.001). Post-exercise countermovement jump performance also improved following beta-alanine supplementation. However, an additional analysis of within-session countermovement jump loss (Post-CMJ − Pre-CMJ) did not demonstrate a significant attenuation of acute neuromuscular fatigue compared with placebo (p = 0.748). In addition, fatigue index and ratings of perceived exertion were significantly reduced compared with placebo (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that beta-alanine supplementation enhances anaerobic performance, improves countermovement jump performance, and reduces fatigue index and perceived exertion in competitive break dancers. Therefore, beta-alanine may be considered an effective ergogenic strategy for sports involving repeated high-intensity intermittent efforts.

This study investigated the effects of acute NaHCO₃ ingestion on aerobic endurance and anaerobic power performance in elite boxers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental design was employed, and 25 male boxers completed both the NaHCO₃ (0.3 g/kg) and placebo conditions. Ninety minutes after ingestion, participants performed the countermovement jump (CMJ) test, followed by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Upon completion of the Yo-Yo IR1 test, participants’ perceived exertion levels were assessed using the Borg Category-Ratio 10 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. The results demonstrated that CMJ performance was significantly higher in the NaHCO₃ condition compared with placebo (p < 0.05; d = 0.50). Similarly, the distance covered during the Yo-Yo IR1 test increased significantly following NaHCO₃ ingestion (p < 0.05; d = 0.67), indicating an improvement in high-intensity intermittent exercise capacity. No significant differences in RPE values were observed between conditions. In conclusion, acute NaHCO₃ ingestion effectively enhances both anaerobic jump performance and intermittent aerobic endurance in boxers. These findings suggest that NaHCO₃ may serve as a beneficial nutritional ergogenic strategy when administered prior to competition or high-intensity training sessions.