Abstract:

Aim: Football is a high-tempo sport with excessive physical requirements. With varying energy expenditure according to position, nutritional requirements, training types and rest durations vary. Currently, clubs, trainers and footballers understand the importance of nutrition along with correct training to increase performance. Ergogenic aid products, used in addition to sufficient and balanced nutrition, may assist in developing specific traits of sportspeople, increasing the speed of recovery after matches and reducing risk of injury. With this target, it is necessary to know which product should be taken at which time and which dose. Methods: In this study, the effects of the most commonly used ergogenic aids of creatine, beta-alanine, caffeine and nitrate/nitric oxide on football performance were reviewed. Results: Studies have stated that ergogenic aids increase performance parameters like sprinting, jump power and running speed and have positive effects on factors limiting exercise performance like tiredness and dehydration. Conclusion: There is a need for more studies in order to present clear recommendations related to the dose and duration of use of ergogenic aids in football.

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