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Oral capsaicinoids and capsinoids supplementation has been studied recently for a plausible ergogenic impact on sports performance. However, non-aggregated literature has focused on the impact of this substances in healthy humans’ performance. The aim of the present systematic review was to explore the effects of capsaicinoids and capsinoids on res...
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... Moreover, new supplement design trends are constantly emerging which attempt to exploit plausible ergogenic pathways. For example: (a) anti-fatigue agents such as capsaicinoids which may modulate strength endurance, work performed or nociception [18][19][20]; (b) nitric oxide precursors such as nitrates or citrulline malate which may enhance strength and power [21]; (c) relaxation and/or sleep-care agents such as lavender, ashwagandha or melatonin [22,23], (d) "fat burners" which contain substances which may play a role in lipolysis, β-oxidation, or enhance metabolic rate such as caffeine, p-synephrine, green tea extract or yohimbine [16,[24][25][26]. Further, multi-ingredient formulas are frequently marketed to provide added ergogenic effects due to purported synergistic ingredient interactions (e.g., nitrates and citrulline are proposed to stimulate different NOS-pathways) [27]. ...
Bodybuilding is characterized by high-rates of sport supplementation. This is the first study to compare the supplementation patterns of winners (WB) and non-winners (NWB) among international natural bodybuilders during contest preparation. Fifty-six natural bodybuilders (5 women) (age = 28.85 ± 8.03 years; final body mass = 71.50 ± 10.28 kg), 19 WB (athletes who had achieved victory in an official natural bodybuilding championship at least once) and 37 NWB (athletes who never achieved victory), from 18 countries (55.36% from Spain) responded to this cross-sectional online survey related to their nutritional habits, strategies and supplementation practices. WB were significantly older (p = 0.024), completed more competitive seasons (p = 0.027) and participated in more competitions in the last contest year (p = 0.011). There were no significant differences between WB and NWB for years training for bodybuilding (p = 0.055), weeks of dieting for competition (p = 0.392), and body weight at the start (p = 0.553) and end (p = 0.330) of the season. Beverage and supplement consumption, purchasing patterns, and information sources did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, natural bodybuilding WB tended to be older and had more competitive experience, but shared similar supplementation protocols to NWB. Athletes' supplementation patterns were influenced by different sources of information. However, these natural bodybuilders mainly purchased their supplements through the internet without guidance from a coach or dietitian.
... Specific nutritional supplementation and resistance training (RT) have shown positive effects as adjuvant methodologies in the prevention and treatment of numerous chronic conditions [1,2]. Nutritional supplements combined with appropriate dietary intake can enhance sports performance, health status, and well-being [3,4]. In particular, microfiltered seawater (SW) is a mineral-enriched supplement that could be effective in preventing and treating several health conditions such as metabolic syndrome [5]. ...
The bulk of research on microfiltered seawater (SW) is based on its short-term effects. However, the long-term physiological adaptations to combining SW and resistance training (RT) are unknown. This study aimed to analyse the impact of an RT program using elastic bands combined with SW intake on hepatic biomarkers, inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood pressure in post-menopausal women. Ninety-three women voluntarily participated (age: 70 ± 6.26 years; body mass index: 22.05 ± 3.20 kg/m2; Up-and-Go Test: 6.66 ± 1.01 s). RT consisted of six exercises (32 weeks, 2 days/week). Nonsignificant differences were reported for hepatic biomarkers except for a reduction in glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in both RT groups (RT + SW: p = 0.003, ES = 0.51; RT + Placebo: p = 0.012, ES = 0.36). Concerning oxidative stress, vitamin D increased significantly in RT + SW (p = 0.008, ES = 0.25). Regarding inflammation, interleukin 6 significantly decreased (p = 0.003, ES = 0.69) in RT + SW. Finally, systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both RT groups (RT + placebo: p < 0.001, ES = 0.79; RT + SW: p < 0.001, ES = 0.71) as did diastolic blood pressure in both SW groups (RT + SW: p = 0.002, ES = 0.51; CON + SW: p = 0.028, ES = 0.50). Therefore, RT + SW or SW alone are safe strategies in the long term with no influences on hepatic and oxidative stress biomarkers. Additionally, SW in combination with RT positively influences vitamin D levels, inflammation, and blood pressure in older women.
... During strenuous exercise, changes in neuronal circuitry (e.g., supraspinal structure excitability) lead to a decline in fatigue tolerance and sports performance (Alix-Fages et al., 2022a). In this regard, a heterogeneous group of substances known as capsaicinoids, which are found in chili peppers, has emerged as plausible ergogenic nervous system modulators (Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). Previously, researchers have focused on the impact of capsaicin (i.e., the main active principle of spicy peppers) on pain relief, weight loss, and performance (Arora et al., 2021; de Moura e Silva et al., 2021). ...
... An exercise experience modulates the nervous system behavior, eliciting a higher tolerance to fatigue and discomfort in high-intensity efforts (i.e., near exhaustion) (Alix-Fages et al., 2022a). However, capsaicin and its analogs have been shown to modulate the mechanical responses to exercise during different intensities and under neural fatiguing conditions (Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). In this regard, TRPV1 agonists display their main physiological functions through reducing inflammatory hyperalgesia, downregulating voltage-activated calcium channels, and influencing thermoception (Baamonde et al., 2005;Hayman and Kam, 2008;Fattori et al., 2016). ...
... Accordingly, some discomfortrelated responses to exercise, such as metabolite accumulation and calcium overload, are linked to III and IV afferent nerve fiber activity during exercise (Taylor et al., 2016;de Moura e Silva et al., 2021). Capsaicin supplementation is able to reduce the afferent signals of pain that are driven from the peripheral to the central nervous system, delaying the onset of fatigue in the neuromuscular junction (Taylor et al., 2016;Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). Consequently, the upregulation of TRPV1 leads to a decline in the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and the perception of pain, as well as discomfort, during exercise (Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). ...
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of phenylcapsaicin (PC) supplementation on strength performance and neuromuscular activity in young trained male subjects.
Materials and methods: A total of 25 trained subjects [full-squat (SQ) one repetition maximum (1RM) = 125.6 ± 21.0 kg] were enrolled in this randomized, triple-blinded, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. The subjects performed a first session and a post-24 h session for each condition. In the first session, the subjects ingested a high dose of PC (HD, 2.5 mg), a low dose (LD, 0.625 mg), or a placebo (PLA). Their performance in SQ was assessed under a 3% × 8 × 70% 1RM protocol in the first session. Their performances in countermovement jump (CMJ), SQ with 60% 1RM, and isometric squat were measured before and after the SQ protocol in both sessions. The neural activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) was recorded via surface electromyography (EMG) and averaged in both sessions.
Results: Significant differences between the conditions were reported for lifting velocity, velocity loss, and the 60% load in dynamic SQ (p range = 0.02–0.04). Electrical changes were not identified for any outcome, although neural activity changed across time (p range ≤0.001–0.006). A significant condition × time effect was observed in CMJ compared to PLA (p ≤0.001) and LD (p ≤0.001). Intra-set analyses revealed higher velocities in HD compared to those in LD (p = 0.01) and PLA (p range = 0.004–0.008).
Conclusion: Therefore, PC may improve the strength performance and attenuate the mechanical fatigue induced by resistance training in SQ and CMJ exercises.
... Capsaicinoids are a group of substances found in spicy fruits such as chili peppers (González-Cano et al., 2022;Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). Among the variety of substances included in this category, capsaicin has emerged as the most used ergogenic compound (de Moura e Silva et al., 2021). ...
... Additionally, other potential ergogenic mechanisms related to TRPV1 stimulation concern metabolic effects such as an increase in fatty acid oxidation (more FFAs available for beta-oxidation), an increase in glycogen sparing, and a positive effect in the acetylcholine turnover (de Moura e Silva et al., 2021). However, current human evidence regarding the positive metabolic impact of these substances is scarce, albeit the plausible mechanisms aforementioned are well documented in preclinical models (Basith et al., 2016;Jiménez-Martínez et al., 2022). ...
Objective: Phenylcapsaicin (PC) is a new capsaicin analog which has exhibited a higher bioavailability. This sudy assessed the effects of a low dose (LD) of 0.625 mg and a high dose (HD) of 2.5 mg of PC on aerobic capacity, substrate oxidation, energy metabolism and exercise physiological variables in young males.
Materials and methods: Seventeen active males (age = 24.7 ± 6.0 years) enrolled to this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Participants attended the laboratory on 4 sessions separated by 72–96 h. A submaximal exercise test [to determine maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and the intensity at MFO (FATmax)] followed by a maximal incremental test (to determine VO2max) were performed in a preliminary session. The subsequent sessions only differed in the supplement ingested [LD, HD or placebo (PLA)] and consisted of a steady-state test (60 min at FATmax) followed by a maximal incremental test. Energy metabolism, substrate oxidation, heart rate, general (gRPE) and quadriceps (RPEquad) rate of perceived exertion, skin temperature and thermal perception were tested.
Results: Clavicle thermal perception was lower in HD compared to PLA and LD (p = 0.04) across time. HD reduced maximum heart rate in comparison to PLA and LD (p = 0.03). LD reported higher general RPE (RPEg) values during the steady-state test compared to PLA and HD across time (p = 0.02). HD and LD elicited higher peak of fat oxidation during the steady-state test compared with PLA (p = 0.05). Intra-test analyses revealed significant differences for fat oxidation (FATox) in favor of HD and LD compared to PLA (p = 0.002 and 0.002, respectively), and for carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) (p = 0.05) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (p = 0.03) for PLA. In the incremental test, only general RPE at 60% of the maximal intensity (W) differed favoring HD (p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: Therefore, PC may contribute to increase aerobic capacity through the improvement of fat oxidation, maximum heart rate and perceptual responses during exercise.
... Recently, sports nutrition research has focused on the discovery of new active compounds which may be able to improve high-intensity training in different modalities [3,4]. Within this context, capsaicinoids have emerged as a plausible ergogenic aid for strength conditioning and high-intensity sports [5,6]. Capsaicinoids are a group of compounds naturally found in spicy chili peppers which are characterized by their vanilloid structure [7]. ...
... overweight) [9,10]. On the other hand, capsaicin seems to enhance sport performance by reducing ratings of perceived exertion and perceived discomfort while improving mechanical performance (e.g. total volume load) [5,11]. ...
... The feedback from afferents III and IV could directly or indirectly reduce motoneuron firing and motor unit recruitment [14,15]. In this sense, the TRPV1 content of these nerve fibers (mainly in group IV afferents) has been proposed as a target for enhancing physical performance by using capsaicin [5,6,16]. Thus, as a TRPV1 agonist, capsaicin could improve muscle contraction by increasing the perceived heat analgesia and the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which are linked to motor units function [5]. ...
Background: The aim of this study was to explore the effects
of a low dose (LD) of 0.625 mg and a high dose (HD) of 2.5 mg
of phenylcapsaicin (PC) on full squat (SQ) performance, active
muscle (RPE-AM) and overall body (RPE-OB) ratings of perceived
exertion, muscle damage, protein breakdown, metabolic
response, and 24-h recovery in comparison to placebo
(PLA).
Method: Twenty-five resistance-trained males (age = 21.00 ± 2.15
years, SQ 1-repetition maximum [1RM] normalized = 1.66 ± 0.22 kg)
were enrolled in this randomized, triple-blinded, placebocontrolled,
crossover trial. Participants completed 2 weekly sessions
per condition (LD, HD, and PLA). The first session consisted of preblood
testing of lactate, urea, and aspartate aminotransferases
(AST) and 2 SQ repetitions with 60% 1RM followed by the resistance
exercise protocol, which consisted of SQ sets of 3 × 8 × 70% 1RM
monitoring lifting velocity. RPE-OB and RPE-AM were assessed after
each set. After the first session, 2 SQ repetitions with 60% 1RM were
performed, and blood lactate and urea posttests were collected.
After 24 h, AST posttest and 1 × 2 × 60% 1RM were determined as
biochemical and mechanical fatigue outcomes.
Results: HD reported significant differences for RPE-AM, AST, and
SQ performance compared to LD and PLA. Post-hoc analyses
revealed that HD attained faster velocities in SQ than LD (p =
0.008). HD induced a lower RPE-AM when compared with LD (p =
0.02) and PLA (p = 0.004). PLA resulted in higher AST concentrationsat 24-h post than HD (p = 0.02). No significant differences were
observed for the rest of the comparisons.
Conclusions: This study suggests that PC may favorably influence
SQ performance, RPE-AM, and muscle damage compared to PLA.
However, HD exhibited most of the biochemical and mechanical
anti-fatigue effects instead of LD.
... Dietary supplements are legal, free-sale nutritional complements that in conjunction with a healthy diet can improve well-being and/or sports performance [8,9]. In this concern, resistance training (RT) and specific nutritional supplementation (e.g., calcium, vitamin D, creatine, and magnesium) have elicited positive results as non-pharmacological strategies to prevent and treat the abovementioned long-term conditions [10][11][12][13][14]. Previous studies have documented the direct benefits of liquid mineral-enriched supplementation, such as seawater (SW) on human health (e.g., immunological and gastrointestinal) [15][16][17] and performance [18,19]. ...
The aim was to explore the effects of a 32-week resistance training (RT) intervention with elastic bands with or without microfiltered seawater (SW) supplementation on isokinetic strength, bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and subjective quality of life in postmenopausal women. Ninety-three untrained women (age: 70.00±6.26 years; body mass index: 22.05±3.20 kg/m2; body fat: 37.77±6.38%; 6.66±1.01 seconds Up-and-Go test) voluntarily participated in this randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. Participants were allocated into four groups (RT+SW, RT+PLA, CON+SW, and CON+PLA). The RT intervention (twice weekly) consisted of different exercises for the whole body performed at submaximal intensities with elastic bands. Both control groups were not involved in any exercise program. A two-way mixed analysis of variance of repeated measures revealed significant improvements in almost all the variables in both intervention groups (p<0.05). However, significant differences with controls were encountered in isokinetic strength, body fat percentage, and bodily pain. Although the group with SW supplementation obtained greater effect sizes, non-significant differences between both RT groups were observed. In conclusion, the determinant factor of the adaptations seems to be RT rather than SW.
