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This study aimed to evaluate the impact of time-restricted eating (TRE) on neuro-physiological parameters, objective and subjective sleep, pulmonary capacity, and postural balance among women with excess body weight. Methods: Thirty-one participants were assigned to either a TRE group (n = 15, 28.74 ± 9.25 years, 88.32 ± 13.38 kg, and 32.71 ± 5.15 kg/m2), engaging in ad libitum 16 h fasting over a 12-week period, or a control group (CG, n = 16, 36.25 ± 11.52 years, 90.88 ± 19.01 kg, and 33.66 ± 6.18 kg/m2). The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV), spirometric parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/ FVC ratio, objective and subjective sleep assessments employing actigraphy and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and postural balance using the Y balance test (YBT) were conducted before and after the intervention. Results: No significant negative effects of TRE were observed for HRV and objective sleep parameters. Only the TRE group improved FEV1 in both sitting (p < 0.0005) and supine positions (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the TRE group showed improvement in postural balance performance compared to the CG in anterior (p = 0.03), postero-medial (p = 0.04), and postero-lateral directions (p = 0.003). Conclusion: This study highlights TRE as a feasible and safe dietary intervention with significant improvements in postural balance and pulmonary function, without any negative impact on HRV or objective sleep assessments among overweight or obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review offers a comprehensive evaluation of current aspects related to nutritional strategies, brain modulation, and muscle recovery, focusing on their applications and the underlying mechanisms of physiological adaptation for promoting a healthy brain, not only in athletes but also for recreationally active and inactive individuals. We propose that applying the rule, among others, of good sleep, regular exercise, and a properly balanced diet, defined as "SPARKS", will have a beneficial effect on the function and regeneration processes of the gut–brain–muscle axis. However, adopting the formula, among others, of poor sleep, stress, overtraining, and dysbiosis, defined as "SMOULDER", will have a detrimental impact on the function of this axis and consequently on human health as well as on athletes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing brain health and cognitive function. This review highlights the significance of these factors for overall well-being, suggesting that adopting the "SPARKS" approach may benefit not only athletes but also older adults and individuals with health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5 methoxytryptamine) is an indolic neurohormone that modulates a variety of physiological functions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to critically review the effects of melatonin supplementation in sports performance and circulating biomarkers related to the health status of highly trained athletes. Data were obtained by performing searches in the following three bibliography databases: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The terms used were "Highly Trained Athletes", "Melatonin", and "Sports Performance", "Health Biomarkers" using "Humans" as a filter. The search update was carried out in February 2024 from original articles published with a controlled trial design. The PRISMA rules, the modified McMaster critical review form for quantitative studies, the PEDro scale, and the Cochrane risk of bias were applied. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were selected out of 294 references. The dose of melatonin supplemented in the trials ranged between 5 mg to 100 mg administered before or after exercise. The outcomes showed improvements in antioxidant status and inflammatory response and reversed liver damage and muscle damage. Moderate effects on modulating glycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine were reported. Promising data were found regarding the potential benefits of melatonin in hematological biomarkers, hormonal responses, and sports performance. Therefore, the true efficiency of melatonin to directly improve sports performance remains to be assessed. Nevertheless, an indirect effect of melatonin supplementation in sports performance could be evaluated through improvements in health biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine (CAF) is among the most extensively researched dietary supplements worldwide. However, little is known about the relationship between dosage and performance enhancement, particularly in female athletes. This study aimed to explore the effects of three different CAF dosages (3 mg·kg−1, 6 mg·kg−1, and 9 mg·kg−1) on high-intensity exercise and the prevalence of undesirable side effects related to these doses among female team-sports athletes. All participants (n = 16; age: 16.9 ± 0.6 y; height: 1.64 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 21.6 ± 1.5 kg·m−2) were mild CAF consumers. This study had a randomized, crossover, double-blind design in which each athlete performed four experimental sessions after ingesting either a placebo (PLAC), 3 mg·kg−1 CAF (CAF-3), 6 mg·kg−1 CAF (CAF-6), or 9 mg·kg−1 of CAF (CAF-9), with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each experimental session, 60 min after ingesting the capsules, participants underwent a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), modified agility t-test (MATT), repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and completed the CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings revealed that in comparison to the PLAC condition, the MATT, RSAmean, and RSAbest performances were significantly greater only under the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions. Although the RPE scores remained unchanged, CMJ performance improved under all CAF conditions. All the performance outcomes were better for the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions than for the CAF-3 condition. Notably, no significant difference between the CAF-6 and CAF-9 conditions was observed for any of these parameters despite the highest incidence of side effects being noted for the CAF-9 condition. In summary, our findings highlight the recommendation for a moderate CAF dosage of 6 mg·kg−1 rather than 3 or 9 mg·kg−1 to enhance various aspects of short-term maximal performance in mild-CAF-consumer female team-sports athletes while mitigating the occurrence of adverse CAF side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether, after Ramadan, pre-exercise caffeine intake can reduce any possible negative effects of this month on short-term maximal performances in young female handball players. A randomized study involved thirteen young female handball players. Participants performed a squat jump (SJ), Illinois agility test (AG), and 5 m run shuttles test (total (TD) and peak (PD) distances) at 08:00 AM and 06:00 PM on three different occasions: one week before Ramadan (Pre-R), the last week of Ramadan (R), and the week after Ramadan (Post-R). A placebo (Pla) or caffeine (Caff) (6 mg·kg−1) was administered 60 min before exercise test sessions at two distinct times of day (08:00 AM and 06:00 PM) during the two periods: Pre and Post-R. The PSQI and dietary intake were assessed during all testing periods. The results revealed that Pre-R, (SJ, AG, TD, and PD) test performances were greater in the evening (PM) than in the morning (AM) (all p < 0.001). However, compared with Pre-R, PM performances declined significantly during R (all p < 0.001) and Post-R (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, Pre-R, AM Caff produced moderate significant improvements compared with AM Pla, with small-to-no beneficial effects observed with PM Caff in SJ (4.8% vs. 1%), AG (1.8% vs. 0.8%), TD (2.8% vs. 0.3%), and PD (6% vs. 0.9%). Nevertheless, Caff produced moderate ergogenic effects during both AM and PM sessions during Post-R in SJ (4.4% vs. 2.4%), AG (1.7% vs. 1.5%), TD (2.9% vs. 1.3%), and PD (5.8% vs. 3%) with values approaching those of Pre-R Pla within the same time of day (p > 0.05, p > 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). In summary, pre-exercise Caff intake with a dose equivalent to 6 mg·kg−1 reduced the negative effects of Ramadan fasting in several aspects of short-term maximal performances in young female handball players at both times of the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ramadan fasting period (RFP) means abstaining from consuming food and/or beverages during certain hours of the day—from sunrise to sunset. Engaging in exercise and sports during the RFP leads to the lipolysis of adipose tissue and an increase in the breakdown of peripheral fat, leading to an increase in fat consumption. The effects of the RFP on functional, hematological, and metabolic parameters needs further study as existing studies have reported contradictory results. The differences in the results of various studies are due to the geographical characteristics of Muslim athletes, their specific diets, and their genetics, which explain these variations. In recent years, the attention of medical and sports researchers on the effects of the RFP and energy restrictions on bodily functions and athletic performance has increased significantly. Therefore, this brief article examines the effects of the RFP on the immune system, body composition, hematology, and the functionality of athletes during and after the RFP. We found that most sporting activities were performed during any time of the day without being affected by Ramadan fasting. Athletes were able to participate in their physical activities during fasting periods and saw few effects on their performance. Sleep and nutritional factors should be adjusted so that athletic performance is not impaired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the relationships between the effects of consuming a caffeine-containing "energy drink" upon (i) short-term maximal performance, (ii) reaction times, and (iii) psychological factors (i.e., mood state, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective load) and on physiological parameters (i.e., blood pressure and blood glucose). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover design was implemented in this study. Nineteen male physical-education students (age: 21.2 ± 1.2 years; height: 1.76 ± 0.08 m; body-mass: 76.6 ± 12.6 kg) performed two test sessions: after drinking the "Red Bull' beverage (RB) and after drinking a placebo (PL). One hour after ingestion of each drink, resting blood glucose and blood pressure were measured and the participants completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Then, after a 5-min warm-up, simple visual reaction time and handgrip force were measured, and the 30-s Wingate test was performed. Immediately after these tests, the RPE, blood glucose, and blood pressure were measured, and the affective load was calculated. Differences between treatments were assessed using two-way repeated measures analyses of variance and paired t-tests, as appropriate. Relationships between the test variables were assessed using Bland–Altman correlations. Significant (i) improvements in peak and mean power output, handgrip force, pre- and post-exercise blood glucose, blood pressure, and vigor and (ii) reductions in reaction times, depression, confusion, fatigue, anger, anxiety, RPE, and affective load scores were observed after RB compared to PL. There were significant correlations of (i) physical performances and reaction times with (ii) RPE, affective load, and pre- and post-exercise blood glucose levels. Gains in peak and mean power were significantly correlated with reductions in fatigue, anxiety (peak power only), and anger (mean power only). The reduction of reaction times was significantly correlated with decreases in confusion and anger and with increases in vigor. Handgrip force and reaction times were significantly correlated with pre- and post-exercise blood pressures. We conclude that RB ingestion has a positive effect on physical performance and reaction times. This effect is related to ergogenic responses in both psychological (i.e., RPE, affective load, and mood state) and physiological (i.e., blood glucose and blood pressure) domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]