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. 2025 Jun 27;17(13):2141.
doi: 10.3390/nu17132141.

Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Endurance Performance and Subjective Perception in Athletes Exercising in the Heat: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Jiahao Li  1 , Shuning Liu  2 , Siqi Wang  1 , Yutong Wu  2 , Liu Yang  2 , Qi Luo  3 , Zixiao Li  4 , Shengxin Yang  2 , Kai Zhao  5 , Chang Liu  2
Affiliations

Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Endurance Performance and Subjective Perception in Athletes Exercising in the Heat: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Jiahao Li et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various nutritional supplements in enhancing endurance performance and subjective thermal perception in athletes exposed to high-temperature environments through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost from inception to January 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated the effects of nutritional supplements on either endurance performance or subjective thermal perception in athletes under heat stress. Two independent reviewers screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. A network meta-analysis was performed using R software (version 4.3.1). The search was limited to English-language publications and employed both MeSH and free-text terms related to "athletes," "nutritional supplements," and "exercise performance," using Boolean operators (AND/OR) to construct the strategy. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 552 participants were included, yielding 22 comparisons: 18 assessed endurance performance, and 11 assessed subjective perception. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and posterior probabilities (P-scores based on Bayesian ranking) were calculated using random-effects and Bayesian models. Menthol (SMD = -1.83, 95% CI [-3.15, -0.51]; P-score = 71.04%) and taurine (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI [0.08, 1.73]; P-score = 12.75%) demonstrated significant positive effects on endurance. Menthol energy gel showed the greatest improvement in thermal comfort (SMD = 2.14, 95% CI [1.01, 3.26]; P-score = 99.54%). Conclusions: Menthol and taurine appear effective in enhancing endurance in hot environments, while menthol energy gel substantially improves perceived thermal comfort. Future research should apply stricter controls regarding environmental conditions, supplement dosage, and participant characteristics. While individual supplements may offer limited benefits, synergistic combinations may yield greater improvements in performance and comfort.

Keywords: athletic performance; endurance performance; network meta-analysis; nutritional supplements; thermal comfort; thermoregulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screening flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bias assessment.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Endurance sports performance network plot. (B) Subjective perception network plot.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Iterative posterior distribution of endurance sports performance.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Subjective perception iteration and posterior distribution map.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest map of endurance sports performance.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Endurance sports performance P-score.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Funnel chart of endurance sports performance research.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Subjective perceived forest map.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Subjective perceived P-score.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Subjective perception funnel diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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