Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance: Metabolites, Constituents, and Extracts

Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance: Metabolites, Constituents, and Extracts
Received November 17, 2006/Accepted November 23, 2006
Melvin Williams
Department of Exercise Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. Address correspondence to mwilliam@odu.edu
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

ABSTRACT

This is the fifth in a series of six articles to discuss the major classes of dietary supplements (vitamins; minerals; amino acids; herbs or botanicals; and metabolites/constituents/extracts). The major focus is on efficacy of such dietary supplements to enhance exercise or sports performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 3(2): 1-5, 2006

Key Words: sports supplements, sports nutrition, creatine, HMB.

INTRODUCTION
Numerous metabolites, constituents, and extracts of plants and animals have been marketed as sports supplements for physically active individuals. In general, these products are theorized to enhance various physiological processes involved in energy production for sport performance. Many of these products consist of single ingredients, while others may be combinations of several substances. This article will focus on two single products, creatine and HMB, which primarily have been marketed as a means to enhance muscle growth, strength and power.

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