Mysportscience provides trusted sports nutrition and sports science information. Expect evidence-based, balanced views on a variety of popular topics as well as myth busting.| askerjeukendrup
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can reduce pain sensations. In a previous blog , we discussed the mechanisms of NSAIDs...| mysportscience
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are a class of drug that is commonly used (worldwide) to reduce inflammation and pain. As we will see in the next blog by Dr Nick Tiller, NSAIDs are also used in sport for performance reasons. To understand what NSAIDs are and how they work, we need to have a basic understanding of the inflammatory response. This blog outlines what NSAIDs are, how they work, and provides the basis of their use in sport.Prostaglandin formationBefore we explore the| askerjeukendrup
Iron plays an important role in several exercise-relevant processes such as red blood cell production, and energy metabolism, whilst also contributing to our cognitive function, and the body’s immune response. Despite being important, the human body has no innate way to generate its own iron supply, and therefore, we are reliant on dietary iron intake to obtain our daily needs. Interestingly, exercise results in several outcomes that cause us to utilise our iron stores (i.e., red blood cell...| askerjeukendrup
In the previous blog we discussed how apps can help to promote healthy behaviours. This blog is not about science, but more about my...| mysportscience
There are many health benefits of physical activity, including the prevention of chronic diseases and improving longevity. However, the opposite is also true: physical inactivity can result in many health problems. According to the World Health Organisation, one-third of adults worldwide do not meet minimum exercise recommendations. This is not because we don’t have enough guidelines… There are plenty of guidelines to get people more active, but in a world with cars, electronics, tools an...| askerjeukendrup
Gut health plays a crucial role in athletic performance, recovery, and immune support, with prebiotics and probiotics often used to enhance these outcomes. However, there is growing interest in postbiotics, refering to non-living microbial preparations that may offer similar benefits. This blog explores the science behind postbiotics and their potential role in supporting athlete health and performance.https://www.mysportscience.com/post/probiotics-it-may-not-all-be-positiveProbiotics and postbi| askerjeukendrup
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is gaining attention as a tool for optimising dietary counselling in athletes. By providing real-time glucose data, CGMs offer the potential to enhance our understanding of how athletes’ bodies respond to training, recovery, and nutrition. In our study, published in the European Journal of Sport Science, we investigated the use of CGMs in Para athletes to explore their potential applications and limitations.New study on CGM in Para cyclistsIn our study (1...| askerjeukendrup
Although altitude training had been used for many years, the last few years it has become incredibly popular with endurance athletes. Athletes and trainers seem compelled to include hypoxia (real or simulated altitude) in their training regimen expecting additional gains through physiological adaptations (See infographic). The primary aim is to induce adaptations in blood (haematological adaptations: e.g., increase in haemoglobin mass), for an improved oxygen delivery at the muscle level. Here w| askerjeukendrup
When we recommend carbohydrate intake for the day, it is often expressed as grams per kg bodyweight. For example, for most sports this will be between 5 and 8 g/kg with values up to 12 g/kg on some days, in some sports. Protein intake is also expressed per kg body weight or per kg fat-free mass and this makes sense. However, when it comes to carbohydrate intake during exercise, recommendations are provided in grams per hour. A recent study challenged this view. Should we really change the recomm| askerjeukendrup
The definition of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is that low energy availability (LEA) is the cause of a wide range of symptoms that are common amongst athletes. In the current REDs model, low energy availability is depicted at the centre of a wheel with numerous spokes. Each spoke represents a grouping of symptoms or suggested consequences of LEA. Considering LEA is central to the REDs model, this blog asks the question: can we measure LEA?Challenges defining low energy availability| askerjeukendrup
Below are the 5 most popular blogs on mysportscience in 2024! Click the title to read... 1. HMB: a magic supplement? In top spot this...| mysportscience
In our recent paper, “Does REDs exist?”, we raise some important questions about the REDs concept and supporting evidence (1). This blog covers whether low energy availability (LEA), considered the cause of REDs, leads to ‘immunosuppression’ or ‘immunological dysfunction’ in athletes, as has been suggested. Interest in this topic has been stoked by observations that leanness and LEA are associated with the recall of illness symptoms in athletes.Are infections a serious problem for...| askerjeukendrup
With increasing age muscle strength, lean/muscle mass and functional ability decline. This is commonly referred to as sarcopenia....| mysportscience
“Does REDs exist?” is the title of a paper we recently published (1). After many years assuming REDs was based on a solid evidence base, we started reading about the history and background behind the concept. The fact that there are far more narrative reviews than experimental studies is a bit of a RED flag (excuse the pun). The evidence was not as strong as we assumed. In this paper we raise some important questions, that are introduced below and will be explored in more detail in future...| askerjeukendrup
Fat burning or fat oxidation (the term preferred by scientists) is of interest to endurance athletes and other athletes.| askerjeukendrup
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have been officially opened. More then ever nutrition is an important topic for athletes as awareness...| mysportscience
There are countless times I have watched sports on TV and commentators provide their insights on the regulation of fuel use. “And then you switch to fat metabolism” is one of the commonly heard catch phrases. Last weekend this happened again when I was watching cycling. But it is a myth that we have a switch that allows us to select different fuels. How does it work? Please pass this one on to TV commentators.Energy for muscle contractionWhen we exercise the muscle contracts and we need e...| askerjeukendrup
One of the most researched supplements on the market is creatine. Creatine combined with strength training has been shown to consistently help individuals gain more muscle mass, strength, power, and muscle function across the lifespan (from adolescents to older adults). The effects on endurance performance are much less studied, but there is a growing body of evidence that creatine can benefit endurance athletes in critical race situations such as finishing kicks or breakaways (1).What is creati| askerjeukendrup
Ketone ester supplements continue to receive attention from athletes for their claimed potential to enhance endurance exercise...| mysportscience
The fourth edition of the textbook Sport Nutrition by Professor Michael Gleeson and myself was published on 5th June 2024. For the last 2...| mysportscience
More protein is often considered better. Here we discuss findings from a study linking a high protein intake to CVD risk?| askerjeukendrup
Glycogen is essential for high intensity exercise performance. A review concluded that elevated glycogen concentration can improve performance by 2-3% and endurance capacity by 15-25%. Muscle glycogen concentrations can be increased by eating a diet that is rich in carbohydrate. However, studies in the 70s suggested that extreme glycogen loading protocols resulted in very high muscle glycogen concentrations. These protocols employed combinations of high carbohydrate days, low carbohydrate days a| askerjeukendrup
