1,425 soccer players were included in the analysis of 31 dietary supplements.
Carbohydrate + protein and carbohydrate + electrolyte supplements were associated with very large and large increases in distance covered, respectively.
Caffeine and bovine colostrum also showed significant effects on distance covered, but with smaller effect sizes.
Beta-alanine, melatonin, caffeine, and creatine were associated with moderate effects on enhancing jump height.
Magnesium creatine chelate and melatonin were linked to large reductions in sprint time.
Creatine + sodium bicarbonate had a very large effect on improving agility.
Simplified
BACKGROUND: As dietary supplements play a crucial role in meeting the unique nutritional needs of soccer players, a growing body of studies are exploring the effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance in soccer players. The effectiveness of certain supplements, such as caffeine and creatine, remains debated due to inconsistent results across studies. Therefore, this systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to tentatively identify the most effective dietary supplements for soccer players.
METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and SPORTDiscus from database establishment to 5 February 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials () evaluating the effects of different dietary supplements on athletic performance in soccer players. The risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using the R software and Stata 18.0. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the competitive level of the athletes.
RESULTS: Eighty RCTs were included, with 1,425 soccer players randomly receiving 31 different dietary supplements or placebo. The network meta-analysis showed that compared with placebo, carbohydrate + protein (: 2.2, very large), carbohydrate + electrolyte (SMD: 1.3, large), bovine colostrum (SMD: moderate) and caffeine (SMD: 0.29, small) were associated with a significant effect on increasing the distance covered.(SMD: 0.46, small) was associated with a significant effect on enhancing muscular strength. Beta-alanine (SMD: 0.83, moderate), melatonin (SMD: 0.75, moderate), caffeine (SMD: 0.37, small), and creatine (SMD: 0.33, small) were associated with a significant effect on enhancing jump height. Magnesium creatine chelate (SMD: -3.0, very large), melatonin (SMD: -1.9, large), creatine + sodium bicarbonate (SMD: -1.4, large), and arginine (SMD: -1.2, moderate) were associated with a significant effect on decreasing sprint time. Creatine + sodium bicarbonate (SMD: -2.3, very large) and caffeine (SMD: -0.38, small) were associated with a significant effect on improving agility. Sodium pyruvate (SMD: 0.50, small) was associated with a significant effect on increasing peak power. Magnesium creatine chelate (SMD: 1.3, large) and sodium pyruvate (SMD: 0.56, small) were associated with a significant effect on increasing mean power. Carbohydrate + electrolyte (SMD: -0.56, small) was associated with a significant effect on improving the rating of perceived exertion. Kaempferia parviflora
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a range of dietary supplements, including caffeine, creatine, creatine + sodium bicarbonate, magnesium creatine chelate, carbohydrate + electrolyte, carbohydrate + protein, arginine, beta-alanine, bovine colostrum,, melatonin, and sodium pyruvate, can improve athletic performance in soccer players. This review provides evidence-based guidance for soccer coaches and nutritionists on using dietary supplements to enhance specific performance measures. Kaempferia parviflora
Key numbers
2.2
Increase in Distance Covered
comparing carbohydrate + protein vs. placebo
-3.0
Decrease in Sprint Time
for magnesium creatine chelate vs. placebo
0.37
Increase in Jump Height
for caffeine vs. placebo
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