Effects of chronic betaine supplementation on performance in professional young soccer players during a competitive season: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Metadata
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BMC
Materia
Anaerobic peak power CMJ Football RSA VO2max Young sports 1-RM
Date
2021-10-18Referencia bibliográfica
Nobari, H... [et al.]. Effects of chronic betaine supplementation on performance in professional young soccer players during a competitive season: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 18, 67 (2021). [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00464-y]
Abstract
Objective: Various nutritional strategies are adopted for athletes to maintain and to improve performance during
the competition season. Betaine may enhance performance during a competitive season by increasing the
testosterone to cortisol ratio and reducing systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the
effect of betaine supplementation on the bio-motor abilities in young professional soccer players.
Methods: Twenty-nine young professional soccer players (age, 15.5±0.3 years) were matched by position and
randomly assigned to one of two groups for 14 weeks: betaine (BG, 2 g/day; n=14) or placebo (PG n=15). Diet was
standardized by a nutritionist, and measures of muscular power (countermovement jump: CMJ), change of
direction: modified 5-0-5), acceleration (10 m sprint), sprint performance (30 m sprint time: SpT), muscular strength
(leg press and bench press one repetition maximum: 1-RM), repeated sprint ability (running-based anaerobic sprint
test: RAST), and aerobic capacity (30-15 intermittent fitness test) were assessed in the pre (P1), mid (P2) and post
(P3) season over the course of 5 days. All subjects participated in one soccer match and five training sessions per
week.
Results: Significant (p < 0.05) group x time interactions were found for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic
peak power, and muscular strength favoring BG at P2 and P3 compared to P1. There were meaningful (p < 0.05)
group x time interactions for CMJ, SpT, and peak power during the RAST that favored the BG.
Conclusions: 14-week of betaine supplementation increased predicted 1-RM, VO2max, and repeated sprint ability
performance in youth professional soccer players. Betaine supplementation seems to be a useful nutritional strategy
to improve and to maintain performance during a competitive soccer season.