Effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on inflammatory markers and muscle damage indices of soccer players after a simulated soccer match

Supplement Consumption by Elite Soccer Players: Differences by Competitive Level, Playing Position, and Sex

Soccer is a sport practiced all over the world and whose practice begins in young athletes. Currently, the consumption of nutritional supplements is essential to achieve the maximum performance of players. The aim of this study was to describe the consumption of sports supplements (CSS) by elite soccer players and its association with their competitive level, playing position, and sex. A comparative descriptive and non-experimental study was performed during the 2021-2022 competitive season. A total of 70 elite players completed one online questionnaire about their CSS. We found that sports drinks (55.7%), sports bars (50.0%), whey protein (48.6%), caffeine (47.1%), and creatine (60.0%) were the most consumed supplements by the total sample. Relative to the categories, the CSS was higher in the senior teams for both men and women. Regarding playing positions, caffeine was more consumed by midfielders and forwards (p = 0.013). Finally, in relation to sex, significant differences were found in the consumption of sports confectionery (p = 0.036), whey protein (p = 0.002), β-alanine (p = 0.013), and melatonin (p = 0.016). Soccer club SS questionnaires gather data to understand patterns, assess effectiveness and risks, and aid research. In conclusion, differences were found in the CSS according to competitive level, sex, and playing position.

Comparison of the effects of pea protein and whey protein on the metabolic profile of soccer athletes: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial

Introduction

Pea protein (PP) concentrate is a plant-based alternative to animal protein sources, such as whey protein (WP). In addition to its valuable amino acid composition, PP has a low environmental impact, making it a sustainable, nutritious, and viable alternative for enhanced sports performance, such as in soccer. PP Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of PP and WP supplementation on biochemical and metabolic parameters in soccer players.

Methods

Twelve male under-20 soccer players were included in this double-blind, randomized crossover intervention study. For 10 consecutive days, each participant received either 0.5 g/kg of the PP or WP supplementation after training, starting 7 days before the test game, and continuing until 2 days after. After a 4-day washout period, the athletes switched groups and the intervention was restarted. Blood samples were collected before and after the game, as well as 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h intervals thereafter. Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate (LA), urea, creatinine, and uric acid were analyzed using commercial kits. Exploratory metabolic profiling of the serum samples was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

A comparison of biochemical markers showed that the PP group had lower CK in the post-game moment, 24 h, and 48 h. Lower LA in the post-game moment, and lower ALT in the post-game moment and at 24 h. Of the 48 metabolites analyzed, 22 showed significant differences between the time points, such as amino acids, ketone bodies, and glucose metabolism. Glutamate and lactate levels significantly increased between the pre- and post-game moments in the WP group. After the game, the WP group exhibited reduced levels of metabolites such as arginine and taurine, whereas no such change was observed in the PP group. There was no difference in metabolites 72 h after the game.

Conclusions

Despite the slight advantage of the PP group in specific biochemical markers, these differences are not sufficient to justify the choice of a particular type of protein. However, the results highlight the viability of plant protein as a potential alternative to animal protein without compromising athletic performance or recovery.

Biomarkers of post-match recovery in semi-professional and professional football (soccer)

High-level football (soccer) players face intense physical demands that result in acute and residual fatigue, impairing their physical performance in subsequent matches. Further, top-class players are frequently exposed to match-congested periods where sufficient recovery times are not achievable. To evaluate training and recovery strategies, the monitoring of players' recovery profiles is crucial. Along with performance and neuro-mechanical impairments, match-induced fatigue causes metabolic disturbances denoted by changes in chemical analytes that can be quantified in different body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine, thus acting as biomarkers. The monitoring of these molecules might supplement performance, neuromuscular and cognitive measurements to guide coaches and trainers during the recovery period. The present narrative review aims to comprehensively review the scientific literature on biomarkers of post-match recovery in semi-professional and professional football players as well as provide an outlook on the role that metabolomic studies might play in this field of research. Overall, no single gold-standard biomarker of match-induced fatigue exists, and a range of metabolites are available to assess different aspects of post-match recovery. The use of biomarker panels might be suitable to simultaneously monitoring these broad physiological processes, yet further research on fluctuations of different analytes throughout post-match recovery is warranted. Although important efforts have been made to address the high interindividual heterogeneity of available markers, limitations inherent to these markers might compromise the information they provide to guide recovery protocols. Further research on metabolomics might benefit from evaluating the long-term recovery period from a high-level football match to shed light upon new biomarkers of post-match recovery.

Prevalence and novel risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency in elite athletes: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Vitamin D insufficiency may be common among elite athletes, but prevalence is unclear, and some potentially important risk factors are uncertain. The present study aimed to (a) estimate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in elite athletes, and (b) examine differences in prevalence between the sexes, and between adults and adolescents, from recent studies which used a contemporary definition of insufficiency.

METHODS

Four databases (Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Sports Medicine and Education Index) were searched for studies in elite athletes. Literature selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two researchers. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. Meta-analysis was conducted, using R software x64 4.0.2, to provide estimates of prevalence of insufficiency for adults and adolescents, and to examine between-sex differences in risk of insufficiency.

RESULTS

From the initial 943 literature search hits, 51 studies were eligible with 5456 participants, 33 studies in adults (12/33 in winter and spring), 15 studies in adolescents (6/15 in winter and spring) and 3 studies with age of study participants not given. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency from meta-analysis was 30% (95% CI 22-39%) in adults and prevalence was higher, though not significantly so, at 39% (95% CI 25-55%) in adolescents. Differences in the prevalence of insufficiency between the sexes for the eight studies which provided within-study comparisons was not significant (RR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.79-1.26). Evidence quality was moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (≤ 50 nmol/L) in elite athletes is high, suggesting a need for greater attention to prevention and treatment. Prevalence estimates in the present study are conservative due to a relative lack of studies in winter. While there was no evidence of higher risk among women than men in the present study, there was less evidence on women.

Effects of Vitamin D in Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vitamin D is a key micronutrient modulating function and health in skeletal muscle. Therefore, we sought to systematically review the role of vitamin D in muscle recovery. A search in different databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, WOS, Google Scholar, and Scopus) was carried out following PRISMA^® and PICOS. The search period was from inception to April 2020. Changes in post-exercise muscle damage were quantified comparing experimental group vs. placebo in each study by using number of participants, standardized mean difference (SMD), and standard error of the SMD. Hedges’s g was used to calculate the SMDs for each study group and biased by the inverse of variance that allows calculating an overall effect and the 95% confidence interval (CI). The net vitamin D supplementation effect was calculated by subtracting the placebo SMD from SMD of the experimental group. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used as a random effect model, taking into account that the effect of vitamin D on muscular damage may vary according to the dose administered and additional moderators. Six studies were selected. In conclusion, regarding circulating levels of muscle biomarkers and additional limitations of the studies, it cannot be concluded that vitamin D supplementation exerts an effect in post-exercise muscle recovery. Likely, the anti-inflammatory action of vitamin D is quicker than the recovery of tissue structure and function. This aspect is pending verification in future research.

Vitamin D in Basketball Players: Current Evidence and Future Directions

CONTEXT

Despite growing interest in quantifying and correcting vitamin D inadequacy in basketball players, a critical synthesis of these data is yet to be performed to overcome the low generalizability of findings from individual studies.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive analysis of data in basketball pertaining to (1) the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy; (2) the effects of vitamin D supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration (and its association with body composition), bone health, and performance; and (3) crucial aspects that warrant further investigation.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, SCIndex, and ScienceDirect databases were searched.

STUDY SELECTION

After screening, 15 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

DATA EXTRACTION

The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, serum 25(OH)D, body composition, stress fractures, and physical performance were extracted.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy for 527 basketball players in 14 studies was 77% (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.70-0.84). Supplementation with 4000 IU/d and 4000 IU/wk (absolute mean difference [AMD]: 25.39 nmol/L; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 13.44-37.33), as well as 10,000 IU/d (AMD: 100.01; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 70.39-129.63) vitamin D restored 25(OH)D to normal concentrations. Body composition data revealed inverse correlations between changes in serum 25(OH)D (from pre- to postsupplementation) and body fat (r = -0.80; very large). Data concerning positive impacts of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and physical performance remain sparse.

CONCLUSION

The high proportion of vitamin D inadequacy underscores the need to screen for serum 25(OH)D in basketball players. Although supplementation restored vitamin D sufficiency, the beneficial effects on bone health and physical performance remain sparse. Adiposity can modulate 25(OH)D response to supplementation.

The Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Hepcidin, Iron, and IL-6 Responses after a 100 km Ultra-Marathon

Deficiencies in iron and vitamin D are frequently observed in athletes. Therefore, we examined whether different baseline vitamin D₃ levels have any impact on post-exercise serum hepcidin, IL-6 and iron responses in ultra-marathon runners. In this randomized control trial, the subjects (20 male, amateur runners, mean age 40.75 ± 7.15 years) were divided into two groups: experimental (VD) and control (CON). The VD group received vitamin D₃ (10,000 UI/day) and the CON group received a placebo for two weeks before the run. Venous blood samples were collected on three occasions-before the run, after the 100 km ultra-marathon and 12 h after the run-to measure iron metabolism indicators, hepcidin, and IL-6 concentration. After two weeks of supplementation, the intervention group demonstrated a higher level of serum 25(OH)D than the CON group (27.82 ± 5.8 ng/mL vs. 20.41 ± 4.67 ng/mL; p < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups before and after the run in the circulating hepcidin and IL-6 levels. The decrease in iron concentration immediately after the 100-km ultra-marathon was smaller in the VD group than CON (p < 0.05). These data show that various vitamin D₃ status can affect the post-exercise metabolism of serum iron.