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Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of wheat peptide supplementation compared to regular proteins in elite cross-country skiers, providing insights into the metabolic and performance effects of these supplements in order to guide athletes in selecting optimal energy sources for training and competition. Methods: Nineteen healthy male cross-country skiers were enrolled and assigned to either the peptide group (PEP, n = 9) or the protein group (PRO, n = 10). A four-week intervention study involving supplementation with wheat peptides/regular proteins was conducted, and pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed to evaluate exercise capacity and metabolic profiles. Results: The study found that the PEP group and the PRO group showed distinct within-group effects on exercise performance. The PEP group demonstrated improved aerobic capacity, including better performance in 10 km roller skating, an increased lactate threshold, and reduced resting blood lactate levels. The PRO group enhanced anaerobic capacity, such as improved sprint time, hexagon test performance, and lactate clearance. Metabolomic analysis revealed specific metabolic pathways affected in each group, with the PEP group showing impacts on the α-linolenic acid pathway and the PRO group on ketone body synthesis and degradation as well as vitamin B6 metabolism. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that wheat oligopeptides and regular proteins have comparable effects on exercise performance. However, the wheat peptides may offer greater advantages in enhancing aerobic capacity. No significant variations were observed in blood metabolite profiles between the two groups, but distinct metabolic pathways exhibited different responses.

BackgroundCoaches and athletes are increasingly interested in understanding athletes’ serum vitamin D levels, their impact on strength, physical performance, and athletic outcomes. Previous meta-analyses were reported with limited sample size and no significant overall effect was found. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough and up-to-date systematic examination and meta-analysis to elucidate the potential advantages of supplementing with vitamin D3 in enhancing muscle strength for athletes.MethodsWe performed a thorough investigation, spanning three databases (PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library), seeking randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages. These trials delved into the influence of vitamin D3 supplementation on the changes of pre- and post-intervention muscle strength in healthy athletes. Our systematic examination and meta-analysis took into account serum 25(OH)D levels exceeding 30 ng/mL as a marker of adequacy.ResultsTen RCTs, comprising 354 athletes (185 in the vitamin D3 group and 169 in the placebo group), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During the study, 36 athletes were lost to follow-up, leaving 318 athletes (166 in the vitamin D3 group and 152 in the placebo group) with documented complete results. In comparison with the placebo group, there is a significant increase between the changes of pre- and post-intervention serum 25(OH)D levels among athletes following a period of vitamin D3 supplementation (MD 14.76, 95% CI: 8.74 to 20.77, p

Dynamic muscle fatigue during repetitive movements can lead to changes in communication between the central nervous system and peripheral muscles. This study investigated these changes by examining electromyogram (EMG) characteristics from agonist and antagonist muscles during a fatiguing task. Twenty-two healthy male university students (age: 22.92 ± 2.19 years) performed heel raises until fatigue. EMG signals from lateral gastrocnemius (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were processed using synchrosqueezed wavelet transform (SST). Root mean square (RMS), mean frequency (MF), power across frequency ranges, wavelet coherence, and co-activation ratio were computed. During the initial 80% of the task, RMS and EMG power increased for both muscles, while MF declined. In the final 20%, GL parameters stabilized, but TA showed significant decreases. Beta and gamma intermuscular coherence increased upon reaching 60% of the task. Alpha coherence and co-activation ratio remained constant. Results suggest that the central nervous system adopts a differentiated control strategy for agonist and antagonist muscles during fatigue progression. Initially, a coordinated “common drive” mechanism enhances both muscle groups’ activity. Later, despite continued increases in muscle activity, neural-muscular coupling remains stable. This asynchronous, differentiated control mechanism enhances our understanding of neuromuscular adaptations during fatigue, potentially contributing to the development of more targeted fatigue assessment and management strategies.