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Dietary Supplementation on Physical Performance and Recovery in Active-Duty Military Personnel: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Quasi-Experimental Controlled Trials.

Nutrients
January 1, 1970
Jacie Harlow et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers examined the impact of dietary supplements, including probiotics combined with beta hydroxy-beta methylbutyrate calcium, on muscle performance and recovery in active-duty military personnel.

Results Summary

Probiotics alone or in combination with beta hydroxy-beta methylbutyrate calcium reduced markers of inflammation, but the abstract does not specify the direct effects of calcium itself.

Population

Active-duty US military personnel

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
protein
increase
performance
active-duty military personnel
modestly
modestly improved
#1
carbohydrate
increase
performance
active-duty military personnel
modestly
modestly improved
#2
beta-alanine
increase
performance
active-duty military personnel
modestly
modestly improved
#3
creatine
increase
performance
active-duty military personnel
modestly
modestly improved
#4
beetroot juice
increase
performance
active-duty military personnel
modestly
modestly improved
#5
quercetin
no change
performance
active-duty military personnel
-
did not improve
#6
protein
decrease
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
reduced
#7
carbohydrates
decrease
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
reduced
#8
beta-alanine
decrease
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
reduced
#9
probiotics
decrease
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
reduced
#10
oregano
decrease
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
reduced
#11
resveratrol
no change
markers of inflammation
active-duty military personnel
-
did not reduce
#12
Nutrition supplementation
increase
muscle performance and recovery
warfighters
small
may have small benefits
#13
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Warfighters, often called tactical athletes, seek dietary supplementation to enhance training and recovery. Roughly 69% of active-duty US military personnel have reported consuming dietary supplements. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the impact of dietary supplements on muscle-related physical performance and recovery in active-duty military personnel. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental controlled trials of oral dietary supplementation in active-duty military members were examined. A protocol was registered (PROSPERO CRD42023401472), and a systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies published between 1990-2023 with outcomes of muscle performance and recovery among active-duty military populations. The risk of bias was assessed with the McMaster University Guidelines and Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included. Four were conducted on protein or carbohydrate; four on beta-alanine alone, creatine alone, or in combination; two on mixed nutritional supplements; two on probiotics alone or in combination with beta hydroxy-beta methylbutyrate calcium; and four on phytonutrient extracts including oregano, beetroot juice, quercetin, and resveratrol. Ten examined outcomes related to physical performance, and six on outcomes of injury or recovery. Overall, protein, carbohydrate, beta-alanine, creatine, and beetroot juice modestly improved performance, while quercetin did not. Protein, carbohydrates, beta-alanine, probiotics, and oregano reduced markers of inflammation, while resveratrol did not. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition supplementation may have small benefits on muscle performance and recovery in warfighters. However, there are significant limitations in interpretation due to the largely inconsistent evidence of ingredients and comparable outcomes. Thus, there is inadequate practical evidence to suggest how dietary supplementation may affect field performance.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Humansbeta-AlanineCreatineDietary CarbohydratesDietary ProteinsDietary SupplementsMilitary PersonnelPhysical Functional PerformanceProbioticsQuercetinRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicResveratrolValerates
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy50/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.37
Normalized Score0.55
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