As interest in the role of dietary supplements in combat sports grows, a recent systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis have provided critical insights. Covering 67 randomized controlled trials with 1026 elite combat sports athletes, the study evaluated 26 dietary supplements and their impact on athletic performance.
Key Findings:
Caffeine + Sodium Bicarbonate: Significantly increased blood lactate concentrations and peak power.
Caffeine: Improved heart rate, number of kicks, and throws.
Beta-Alanine: Enhanced blood lactate concentrations.
Creatine + Sodium Bicarbonate: Boosted mean and peak power.
The results highlight that supplements such as caffeine, sodium bicarbonate, creatine, and beta-alanine offer substantial performance benefits for combat athletes. These findings provide valuable guidance for optimizing athletic performance in combat sports.
