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Larrosa M, Gil-Izquierdo A, González-Rodríguez LG, Alférez MJM, San Juan AF, Sánchez-Gómez Á, Calvo-Ayuso N, Ramos-Álvarez JJ, Fernández-Lázaro D, Lopez-Grueso R, López-León I, Moreno-Lara J, Domínguez-Balmaseda D, Illescas-Quiroga R, Cuenca E, López T, Montoya JJ, Rodrigues-de-Souza DP, Carrillo-Alvarez E, Casado A, Rodriguez-Doñate B, Porta-Oliva M, Santiago C, Iturriaga T, De Lucas B, Solaesa ÁG, Montero-López MDP, Benítez De Gracia E, Veiga-Herreros P, Muñoz-López A, Orantes-Gonzalez E, Barbero-Alvarez JC, Cabeza-Ruiz R, Carnero-Diaz Á, Sospedra I, Fernández-Galván LM, Martínez-Sanz JM, Martín-Almena FJ, Pérez M, Guerra-Hernández EJ, López-Samanes Á, Sánchez-Oliver AJ, Domínguez R. Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Health, Sports Performance, and Recovery for Female Athletes and Other Physically Active Women: A Systematic Review. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae082. [PMID: 38994896 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Despite the progress toward gender equality in events like the Olympic Games and other institutionalized competitions, and the rising number of women engaging in physical exercise programs, scientific studies focused on establishing specific nutritional recommendations for female athletes and other physically active women are scarce. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to compile the scientific evidence available for addressing the question "What dietary strategies, including dietary and supplementation approaches, can improve sports performance, recovery, and health status in female athletes and other physically active women?" DATA SOURCES The Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched. DATA EXTRACTION The review process involved a comprehensive search strategy using keywords connected by Boolean connectors. Data extracted from the selected studies included information on the number of participants and their characteristics related to sport practice, age, and menstrual function. DATA ANALYSIS A total of 71 studies were included in this review: 17 focused on the analysis of dietary manipulation, and 54 focused on the effects of dietary supplementation. The total sample size was 1654 participants (32.5% categorized as competitive athletes, 30.7% as highly/moderately trained, and 37.2% as physically active/recreational athletes). The risk of bias was considered moderate, mainly for reasons such as a lack of access to the study protocol, insufficient description of how the hormonal phase during the menstrual cycle was controlled for, inadequate dietary control during the intervention, or a lack of blinding of the researchers. CONCLUSION Diets with high carbohydrate (CHO) content enhance performance in activities that induce muscle glycogen depletion. In addition, pre-exercise meals with a high glycemic index or rich in CHOs increase CHO metabolism. Ingestion of 5-6 protein meals interspersed throughout the day, with each intake exceeding 25 g of protein favors anabolism of muscle proteins. Dietary supplements taken to enhance performance, such as caffeine, nitric oxide precursors, β-alanine, and certain sport foods supplements (such as CHOs, proteins, or their combination, and micronutrients in cases of nutritional deficiencies), may positively influence sports performance and/or the health status of female athletes and other physically active women. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration no. CRD480674.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Larrosa
- Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Gil-Izquierdo
- Research Group on Food and Nutrition (ALINUT), University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
- Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods Group, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Liliana Guadalupe González-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- VALORNUT Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Muñoz Alférez
- Department of Physiology (Faculty of Pharmacy, Cartuja University Campus), Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro F San Juan
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Calvo-Ayuso
- Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Campus de Ponferrada, Universidad de León, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain
| | - Juan José Ramos-Álvarez
- School of Sport Medicine, Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Complutense University Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Fernández-Lázaro
- Department of Cellular Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Valladolid, 42004 Soria, Spain
- Neurobiology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raúl Lopez-Grueso
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Isabel I, 09003 Burgos, Spain
| | - Inmaculada López-León
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno-Lara
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Diego Domínguez-Balmaseda
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, Deporte y Fisioterapia, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Román Illescas-Quiroga
- Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, University of Alcala, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Eduardo Cuenca
- Academia de Guardias y Suboficiales de la Guardia Civil, 23440 Baeza, Spain
| | - Teba López
- Academia de Guardias y Suboficiales de la Guardia Civil, 23440 Baeza, Spain
| | - Juan José Montoya
- School of Sport Medicine, Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Complutense University Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daiana Priscila Rodrigues-de-Souza
- Departamento de Enfermería, Farmacología y Fisioterapia, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Elena Carrillo-Alvarez
- Global Research on Wellbeing (GRoW) Research Group, Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, University Ramon Llull, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Casado
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28943 Fuenlabrada, Spain
| | | | - Mireia Porta-Oliva
- Faculty of Food Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- FC Barcelona Medical Department, FC Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan School of Kinanthropometry, INEFC, 0838 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Catalina Santiago
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, Deporte y Fisioterapia, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Támara Iturriaga
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, Deporte y Fisioterapia, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | - Beatriz De Lucas
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, Deporte y Fisioterapia, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
| | | | | | - Elvira Benítez De Gracia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
| | - Pablo Veiga-Herreros
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
| | - Alejandro Muñoz-López
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Eva Orantes-Gonzalez
- Department of Sports and Computer Science, Faculty of Sports, University of Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | | | - Ruth Cabeza-Ruiz
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ángel Carnero-Diaz
- Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Sospedra
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | | | - José Miguel Martínez-Sanz
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | | | - Margarita Pérez
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo J Guerra-Hernández
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Álvaro López-Samanes
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, 37203-202 Lavras, Brazil
| | - Raúl Domínguez
- Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, 37203-202 Lavras, Brazil
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Barnard J, Roberts S, Kelly M, Lastella M, Aisbett B, Condo D. Alpha-lactalbumin and sleep: A systematic review. J Sleep Res 2024:e14141. [PMID: 38185736 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Insufficient sleep is a growing global problem, with poor sleep associated with many negative health and performance outcomes. Previous reviews investigating the effect of diet on sleep have highlighted the amino acid tryptophan as a promising sleep-promoting nutrient, with the richest food source of tryptophan, ⍺-lactalbumin, requiring further investigation. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to review the existing evidence of association between ⍺-lactalbumin and sleep. Four electronic databases (CINAHL Complete, Embase, MEDLINE Complete, and SPORTDiscus with Full Text) were searched from database inception to March 2023, with primary research articles included if they contained α-lactalbumin as an independent variable, an outcome measure of sleep or sleepiness, and participants were ≥ 18 years old. Eight studies were reviewed, with four studies recruiting athletic populations (50%) and four recruiting healthy participants (50%). Sleep or sleepiness was measured objectively in six studies (75%), with two studies employing polysomnography and four utilizing actigraphy to assess sleep. Across the studies, 20-60 g of ⍺-lactalbumin was supplemented, with five studies (63%) observing a positive association between α-lactalbumin and sleep. Sleep-onset latency was the primary sleep metric improved following evening supplementation of α-lactalbumin (≤ 3.5 hr pre-sleep), with no studies observing any negative associations with sleep. Data from this review suggest that individuals that have difficulty initiating sleep may benefit most from pre-sleep α-lactalbumin supplementation. Further research is required to establish the effect that α-lactalbumin has on sleep architecture, through the use of more comprehensive sleep analysis tools such as portable electroencephalography or polysomnography, in combination with stringent dietary controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Barnard
- Centre for Sport Research (CSR), Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Spencer Roberts
- Centre for Sport Research (CSR), Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Monica Kelly
- Centre for Sport Research (CSR), Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Michele Lastella
- Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science, CQUniversity, Wayville, Australia
| | - Brad Aisbett
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Dominique Condo
- Centre for Sport Research (CSR), Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
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Mackay Phillips K, Orssatto LBR, Polman R, Van der Pols JC, Trajano GS. The effects of α-lactalbumin supplementation and handgrip contraction on soleus motoneuron excitability. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:395-404. [PMID: 36443491 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-05101-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We tested two strategies that hypothetically increase serotonin availability (α-lactalbumin consumption and a remote submaximal handgrip contraction) on estimates of persistent inward currents (PICs) amplitude of soleus muscle in healthy participants. METHODS With a randomised, double-blind, and cross-over design, 13 healthy participants performed triangular-shaped ramp contractions with their plantar flexors (20% of maximal torque), followed by a 30-s handgrip sustained contraction (40% of maximal force) and consecutive repeated triangular-shaped contractions. This was performed before and after the consumption of either 40 g of α-lactalbumin, an isonitrogenous beverage (Zein) or an isocaloric beverage (Corn-starch). Soleus motor units discharge rates were analysed from high-density surface electromyography signals. PICs were estimated by calculating the delta frequency (ΔF) of motor unit train spikes using the paired motor unit technique. RESULTS ΔF (0.19 pps; p = 0.001; d = 0.30) and peak discharge rate (0.20 pps; p < 0.001; d = 0.37) increased after the handgrip contraction, irrespective of the consumed supplement. No effects of α-lactalbumin were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that 40 g of α-lactalbumin was unable to modify intrinsic motoneuron excitability. However, performing a submaximal handgrip contraction before the plantar flexion triangular contraction was capable of increasing ΔF and discharge rates on soleus motor units. These findings highlight the diffused effects of serotonergic input, its effects on motoneuron discharge behaviour, and suggest a cross-effector effect within human motoneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Mackay Phillips
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
| | - Lucas B R Orssatto
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Remco Polman
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Berwick, Australia
| | - Jolieke C Van der Pols
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Gabriel S Trajano
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
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Mackay-Phillips K, Orssatto LBR, Polman R, Van der Pols JC, Trajano GS. Effects of α-lactalbumin on strength, fatigue and psychological parameters: a randomised double-blind cross-over study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:381-393. [PMID: 36443490 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-05103-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The neurotransmitter serotonin has a strong effect on behaviour and motor control. Regarding motor control, serotonin contributes to the development of fatigue and is also involved in the ability of motor neurones to operate across a large range of forces (gain control). The consumption of tryptophan-rich supplements (such as α-lactalbumin) is of interest because this amino acid is the only precursor for brain serotonin synthesis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of α-lactalbumin supplementation on neuromuscular performance. METHODS Using a randomised double-blind cross-over design, 16 healthy participants performed plantar flexor and handgrip maximal voluntary contractions, a 30-s submaximal handgrip contraction, and a plantar flexor fatigue protocol before and 90 min after consuming either 40 g of α-lactalbumin, an isonitrogenous beverage (Zein) or an isocaloric beverage (corn-starch). Sleepiness, mood, and cognition were assessed to evaluate any psychological effects. RESULTS α-Lactalbumin decreased force steadiness by 25% during the sustained submaximal handgrip contraction (p < 0.01) and induced greater fatigue (15% reduction in total torque-time integral, p = 0.01) during the fatigue protocol. These effects were not observed for the other control beverages. No effects were found for maximal or explosive strength, or psychological measurements. CONCLUSIONS 40 g of α-lactalbumin increased handgrip force variability and reduced performance during fatiguing muscle contractions but did not influence brief maximal contractions or psychological parameters in healthy individuals. These findings support the hypothesis that the consumption of α-lactalbumin can increase motor neurone input-output gain and exacerbate central fatigue during sustained maximal exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Mackay-Phillips
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
| | - Lucas B R Orssatto
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Remco Polman
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Berwick, Australia
| | - Jolieke C Van der Pols
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Gabriel S Trajano
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 149 Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
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