Summarize scientific evidence addressing the effectiveness of a sport supplement or sport nutrition strategy

Write a 2 page informative essay analyzing a sport nutrition strategy or supplement claim. Describe the origin of the claim (advertisement, website, social media post, supplement label, documentary) and its potential effects on athletic performance. Use credible scientific references to analyze the validity of the claim (textbooks, government websites, review articles, etc.). Identify and summarize one peer-reviewed scientific article that examines the effectiveness of the ergogenic claim.

Background

I. Introduce the sport nutrition claim or supplement (e.g. intermittent fasting or creatine).

• • See table 10.6 of your textbook for some examples of sports supplements.
  • Do not choose a weight loss supplement unless it is specifically marketed toward athletes.
  • Please Note: Commercial sport supplements are often “stacked” (contain multiple active ingredients), however most scientific studies examine active ingredients in isolation (one at a time). It may be appropriate to briefly describe the main active ingredients in your introduction and then focus on just one one of these active ingredients for your article summary.

II. Describe the origin of this claim or supplement:

• • For general claims, who is making the claim? What are their credentials? Is the person or agency also selling something (a book, or supplement, access to their website or work out videos)?
  • For a specific supplement, who is selling this supplement? How is this supplement marketed and sold?
  • What is the claim or supplement’s intended effect? (How is it advertised to work?)
  • What type of athlete is the target audience?
  • What dosage is recommended? Is timing of when you take the supplement important?

III. Describe how the claim or supplement relates to human or exercise physiology (cite your references):

• • Compare factual information to claims made by the supplement’s advertising.
    • Use the textbook, review articles, or other credible resources to properly introduce your ingredient.
  • If applicable, describe relative amounts in foods. Is there an advantage to taking supplements over food sources?

Scientific Article Summary

I. The article you choose must:

• • be from a peer reviewed scientific journal (see your Instructor if you are unsure of how to identify peer reviewed articles)
  • be a PRIMARY article (not a review article)
  • be recently published (within the last 10 years)
  • address the supplement’s effectiveness in athletes or on exercise physiology

II. Summarize the article:

• • Describe the research question (hypothesis) purposed by the article.
  • Briefly describe the methods (design, participants, procedure, and what was measured)
  • Describe the results. Were they significant?
  • Explain the key implications of the results. What do these results mean for athletes interested in taking this supplement? (Avoid overstating the importance of the findings.)
  • Do these results apply to all types of athletes or the general population?
  • The results, and the interpretation of the results, should relate directly to the hypothesis.
  • You may assume your reader has a basic knowledge of biology and the scientific method.

Conclusions

• • Is the claim or product being sold legal, ethical, safe, and effective? Explain why or why not.
  • What specific things should an athlete consider before choosing to take this supplement or adopting this nutrition advice?