A national anti-doping education programme reduces doping susceptibility in British athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency's International Standard for Education instructs that national and international sport organisations evaluate their education programmes. We addressed this directive by examining the effectiveness of a national anti-doping programme. Athletes (N = 302, 41% female) completed measures of doping susceptibility, intention to use dietary supplements, Spirit of Sport and moral values, anti-doping knowledge and practice, and whistleblowing, prior-to and three-months after attending an anti-doping education programme. At three-month follow-up, athletes reported decreased doping susceptibility and intention to use dietary supplements coupled with increased importance of values, anti-doping knowledge, anti-doping practice and whistleblowing. Within-participant, moderated-mediation analyses revealed that programme-related changes in doping susceptibility were indirectly related to changes in intention to use dietary supplements, and, that this indirect relationship was moderated by moral values. These findings confirm the effectiveness of a national anti-doping education programme and highlight the contribution of dietary supplement use and personal values to changes in doping susceptibility.

Survey of protein-based sport supplements for illegally added anabolic steroids methyltestosterone and 4-androstenedione by UPLC-MS/MS

There is some evidence that marketable supplements contain hormones not declared on the product label. The presence of these androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) in sports supplements can be considered an adulteration and affect the health of consumers, who are predominantly athletes. This study aimed to measure anabolic hormones (methyltestosterone and 4-androstenedione) in sport supplements. Ultra Performance Liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode was employed under the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) ion program. To overcome matrix effects and quantify the selected analyte, the calibration curve was made using Matrix Match method. The LOQ and LOD were 1 ng/g and 0.3 ng/g for both analytes. The recovery of 4-androstenedione and methyltestosterone was in the range of 86.87-107.35 and 77.31-113.98, respectively. In terms of reproducibility, CV % for 4-androstenedione and methyltestosterone ranged from 6.56 to 16.87% and 1.45-15.12%, respectively. 4-androstenedione was found in 11 samples including 9 whey as 1.578 ± 0.154 ng/g and 2 whey albumin samples with an amount of 1.134 ng/g and 1.474 ng/g. Consequently, continuous controlling of sport supplements comprising intentionally or unintentionally added androgens could be important for health and discuss in the context of compliance with anti-doping.

The potential effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids and growth hormone as commonly used sport supplements on the kidney: a systematic review

Background

Anabolic-androgenic steroids and growth hormone are among the most commonly used supplements by sportsmen and sportswomen. The aim of this systematic review is to collect and report available data about renal safety of anabolic-androgenic steroids and growth hormone (GH).

Methods

The search strategy was in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. Seven databases such as Scopus, Medline, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched using keywords, such as “growth hormone”, “anabolic-androgenic steroids”, and “kidney injury”. Articles published from 1950 to December 2017 were considered. Randomized clinical trials, prospective or retrospective human studies, case series as well as case reports, and experimental (in vivo) studies were included. Twenty one clinical and experimental articles were selected (12 for anabolic-androgenic steroids and 9 for GH).

Results

Anabolic-androgenic steroids can affect the kidney in different aspects. They can induce or aggravate acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and glomerular toxicity. These adverse effects are mediated through pathways such as stimulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, enhancing the production of endothelin, producing reactive oxygen species, over-expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-apoptotic mediators (e.g., TGF-β1), as well as inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1b, and IL-6). Although GH may affect the kidney in different aspects, such as size, glomerular filtration rate, and tubule functions, either directly or indirectly, there is no conclusive clinical evidence about its detrimental effects on the kidney in athletes and body builders.

Conclusion

Evidence regarding effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids exists; However, GH’s exact effect on the kidney at doses used by athletes and body builders has not yet been clarified. Cohort clinical studies with long-term follow-up are warranted in this regard.

Acute caffeine supplementation in combat sports: a systematic review

Caffeine used as a supplement has been shown to improve physical and cognitive performance in several sport modalities due to its effects on the central nervous system. This review assesses the direct effects of caffeine supplementation on performance in combat sports. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, relevant studies were identified through the Medline, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases. Of 1053 search results, only 9 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, three studies detected no ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation, while six studies did observe a significant positive effect. Supplementation with 3-6 mg/kg of caffeine was found to increase the glycolytic contribution to energy metabolism during the execution of real or simulated combats, as indicated by elevated blood lactate concentrations. Caffeine intake was also noted to improve levels of strength, power and upper arm muscular endurance. These effects were not paralleled by an increase in the exertion perceived by the athlete.

Evaluation of congruence among dietary supplement use and motivation for supplementation in young, Canadian athletes

Background

Dietary supplement use is endemic in young athletes; however, it is unclear if their choices are congruent with their motivation for supplementation and the established benefits of the dietary supplements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between dietary supplement use and self-reported rationale in young athletes.

Methods

Canadian athletes (n = 567; 11–25 years; 76 % club or provincial level, 24 % national or higher) completed a questionnaire designed to assess supplementation patterns and motivation for supplementation. Chi square tests examined associations between dietary supplements and self-reported rationale for use.

Results

Vitamin and mineral supplements, including vitamin-enriched water, were associated with several health- and performance- related reasons (p < 0.001). Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and glutamine were linked to improving diet and immune function (p < 0.01), but were more strongly associated with performance reasons, as were performance foods (protein powder, sport bars, sport gels, etc.). Plant extracts and fatty acids were primarily associated with health reasons, particularly immune support (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Congruencies exist between performance rationales and supplementation for common ergogenic aids, however, less so for vitamin and mineral supplements, vitamin-enriched water, and plant extracts. Incongruences were found between fatty acids, protein supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements, vitamin-enriched water, and plant extracts and health motivators for supplementation. Educational interventions are essential to ensure young athletes are using dietary supplements safely and effectively.

The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength

Background

Ergogenic aides are widely used by fitness enthusiasts and athletes to increase performance. Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (A-GPC) has demonstrated some initial promise in changing explosive performance. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if 6 days of supplementation with A-GPC would augment isometric force production compared to a placebo.

Methods

Thirteen college-aged males (Means ± SD; Age: 21.9 ± 2.2 years, Height: 180.3 ± 7.7 cm, Weight: 87.6 ± 15.6 kg; VO₂ max: 40.08 ± 7.23 ml O₂*Kg⁻¹*min⁻¹, Body Fat: 17.5 ± 4.6 %) gave written informed consent to participate in the study. The study was a double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design. The participants reported to the lab for an initial visit where they were familiarized with the isometric mid thigh pull in a custom squat cage on a force platform and upper body isometric test against a high frequency load cell, and baseline measurements were taken for both. The participant then consumed either 600 mg per day of A-GPC or placebo and at the end of 6 days performed isometric mid thigh pulls and an upper body isometric test. A one-week washout period was used before the participants’ baseline was re-measured and crossed over to the other treatment.

Results

The A-GPC treatment resulted in significantly greater isometric mid thigh pull peak force change from baseline (t = 1.76, p = 0.044) compared with placebo (A-GPC: 98.8. ± 236.9 N vs Placebo: −39.0 ± 170.9 N). For the upper body test the A-GPC treatment trended towards greater change from baseline force production (A-GPC: 50.9 ± 167.2 N Placebo: −14.9 ± 114.9 N) but failed to obtain statistical significance (t = 1.16, p = 0.127).

Conclusions

A-GPC is effective at increasing lower body force production after 6 days of supplementation. Sport performance coaches can consider adding A-GPC to the diet of speed and power athletes to enhance muscle performance.

The efficacy of a β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and biochemical markers in elite rowers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study

BACKGROUND

β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) is an interesting supplement in sports. However, literature sources present a limited number of studies that verify the efficacy of HMB intake over a longer time period among endurance athletes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of HMB supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and levels of biochemical markers in rowers.

METHODS

Sixteen elite male rowers were administered a 12-week HMB supplementation (3×1 gHMB · day(-1)) and placebo administration (PLA) following the model of a randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind crossover study with a 10 days washout period. Over the course of the experiment, aerobic (maximal oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold) and anaerobic (anaerobic power indices) capacity were determined, while analyses were conducted on body composition as well as levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone, cortisol and the T/C ratio. A normal distribution of variables was tested using the paired 2-tailed t-tests; the Mann-Whitney U-test or the Wilcoxon-signed rank test were applied for non-normally distributed variables.

RESULTS

Following HMB supplementation, [Formula: see text] increased (+2.7 mL · min(-1) · kg(-1)) significantly (p < 0.001) in comparison to its reduction after PLA (-1.0 mL · min(-1) · kg(-1)). In turn, at the ventilatory threshold, a longer time was required to reach this point (+1.2 minHMB vs. -0.2 minPLA, p = 0.012), while threshold load (+0.42 W · kg(-1) HMB vs. -0.06 W · kg(-1) PLA, p = 0.002) and threshold heart rate (+9 bpmHMB vs. +1 bpmPLA, p < 0.001) increased. After HMB supplementation, fat mass decreased (-0.9 kgHMB vs. +0.8 kgPLA, p = 0.03). In relation to the initial values after HMB supplementation, the refusal time to continue in the progressive test was extended (p = 0.04), maximum load (p = 0.04) and anaerobic peak power (p = 0.02) increased. However, in relation to the placebo, no differences were observed in anaerobic adaptation or blood marker levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that HMB intake in endurance training has an advantageous effect on the increase in aerobic capacity and the reduction of fat mass. It may also stimulate an increase in peak anaerobic power, while it seems to have no effect on other indices of anaerobic adaptation and levels of investigated markers in the blood.