**Performance‑Enhancing Supplements – What They Are, How They Work, and Why Their Use Can Be Risky**
| Category | Typical Examples | Mechanism of Action (simplified) | Evidence for Effectiveness | Common Health Risks / Concerns | |----------|------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------| | **Nutrient‑based** | Creatine monohydrate, beta‑alanine, branched‑chain amino acids (BCAAs), citrulline malate, sodium bicarbonate | Increase muscle energy stores, buffer lactic acid, improve blood flow or nitrogen balance | • Creatine: 5–15 % ↑ in strength & power • Beta‑alanine: ↑ muscular carnosine → improved high‑intensity work • BCAAs: limited evidence; may spare glycogen but not clearly superior to protein | Generally safe; creatine can cause mild GI upset, water retention; sodium bicarbonate may cause nausea or diarrhea | | **Nutrient Timing** (carbs/protein immediately post‑exercise) | ↑ muscle glycogen resynthesis & protein synthesis | Small benefit (~5–10 % faster glycogen restoration); may aid recovery but not essential for strength | None significant | | **Sleep / Recovery** | 7–9 h/night → hormonal balance, protein synthesis | Chronic sleep deprivation reduces IGF‑1 and increases cortisol; can impair performance by ~3–5 % | Not a supplement per se |
| Supplement | Key Evidence (Human RCTs) | Typical Dose | Practical Considerations | |------------|---------------------------|--------------|--------------------------| | **Creatine Monohydrate** | Meta‑analysis 2020: ~0.9 % ↑ 1RM; benefits in older adults and untrained males; works in all populations with loading or maintenance. | Loading: 20 g/day (5 × 4 g) for 5–7 days, then 3–5 g/d. Maintenance: 3–5 g/d. | Cheap, well‑studied; minor GI upset possible; monitor water intake. | | **Beta‑Alanine** | 2018 meta‑analysis: improves muscular endurance; no direct strength gains but allows higher training volume → indirect strength benefit. | 4–6 g/d split dosing (2 × 2 g). | Tingling (paresthesia) at high doses; can be mitigated with smaller doses or Caps. | | **Creatine Monohydrate** (already included, but confirm dosage) | 3–5 g/d; loading phase optional. | Same as creatine above. | | **HMB (β‑Hydroxy‑β‑Methylbutyrate)** | 1.5 g/d divided into 3 doses. | Some studies show slight strength increase, especially in novices or after detraining. | | **Omega‑3 Fatty Acids** (EPA/DHA) | 2–4 g/day of combined EPA+DHA. | May reduce muscle soreness and inflammation; potential for improved recovery. |
### Recommended Supplemental Regimen
| Supplement | Dose & Timing | Rationale | |------------|---------------|-----------| | **Creatine monohydrate** | 5 g once daily (preferably post‑workout or with a carbohydrate source) | Maximizes intramuscular stores; enhances phosphocreatine resynthesis for high‑intensity work. | | **Protein shake (whey)** | 20–30 g immediately after workout | Provides essential amino acids for muscle protein synthesis, particularly leucine (~2.5–3 g). | | **Omega‑3 fatty acids** | 1–2 g EPA/DHA daily | Anti‑inflammatory; supports recovery and may improve insulin sensitivity. | | **Multivitamin/mineral** | As directed | Addresses micronutrient needs for energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, and muscle function. |
> **Note:** The effectiveness of these supplements depends on proper dosing, timing, and adherence to overall diet and training. Excessive supplementation can lead to adverse effects or nutrient imbalances.
---
### 3. How Does the Body Use Dietary Energy? (4–6 % of the Day)
| **Stage** | **Key Processes & Energy Cost** | |-----------|---------------------------------| | **Ingestion & Digestion** | Mechanical & enzymatic breakdown; ~5 % of basal metabolic rate (BMR) to transport nutrients. | | **Absorption & Transport** | Carriers move glucose, fatty acids, amino acids across enterocytes and into circulation (~2 % of BMR). | | **Metabolism (Oxidation)** | Substrates undergo glycolysis → TCA cycle → oxidative phosphorylation; ATP yield ~30–32 mol per mol glucose. | | **Storage** | Excess glucose → glycogen in liver/skeletal muscle (~3 % of BMR); fatty acids → triglycerides in adipose tissue (~4 % of BMR). | | **Protein Turnover** | Synthesis & degradation cycles consume ~10–15 % of resting energy expenditure. |
---
### 2. Muscle Metabolism During Resistance Training
- **Energy Demand:** - A single set (10–12 reps) can consume ~25–30 kJ (~6–7 kcal) per muscle group. - Total session (~4–5 sets per exercise) leads to >200 kJ (~48 kcal) expenditure in working muscles.
- **Metabolic Pathways:** - **Phosphagen System (ATP‑PCr):** Provides ~30 s of high‐power output. Rapidly depleted PCr; replenished over 10–15 min. - **Anaerobic Glycolysis:** Generates lactate and H⁺, contributing to muscle fatigue but also providing a stimulus for hypertrophy via metabolic stress. - **Oxidative Metabolism:** During rest periods (especially in circuit training), muscles rely on oxidative phosphorylation to recover PCr and clear metabolites.
- **Recovery Dynamics:** - Post‑exercise lactate clearance follows first‐order kinetics with a half‐life of ~5–10 min, influenced by muscle perfusion and substrate availability. - Rest intervals >90 s allow >70 % PCr resynthesis; shorter intervals (<60 s) maintain higher metabolic stress but reduce force production.
---
### 4. Practical Implications for Training Design
| **Goal** | **Key Parameters** | **Typical Protocol** | |----------|--------------------|----------------------| | Maximal Strength | Heavy loads (≥85%1RM), low reps (3–6), long rest (2–5 min) | 4–6 sets of 4–6 reps, 3–5 min rest | | Hypertrophy | Moderate loads (65–80%1RM), moderate rep range (8–12), short rest (30–90 s) | 3–4 sets of 10 reps, 45–60 s rest | | Endurance | Light loads (<50%1RM), high reps (>15), minimal rest | 2–3 sets of 20+ reps, 30‑60 s rest |
- **Warm‑up**: 5–10 min of light cardio + dynamic stretches. - **Cool‑down**: Static stretching for all major muscle groups, 30–60 sec per stretch.
### 2.4 Weekly Rest and Recovery
| Day | Activity | |------------|-------------------------------------------| | Monday | Strength Training (Upper Body) | | Tuesday | Light Cardio + Stretching | | Wednesday | Strength Training (Lower Body) | | Thursday | Active Recovery: Gentle Yoga or Mobility | | Friday | Strength Training (Full Body) | | Saturday | Recreational Activity (e.g., Hiking, Swim)| | Sunday | Rest / Light Walk + Stretching |
- **Sleep**: Aim for 7–9 hours per night. - **Hydration**: 8–10 cups of water daily; more during workouts. - **Nutrition**: Balanced meals with protein, complex carbs, healthy fats.
### 3.2 Managing a Busy Schedule
1. **Micro‑Workouts** - Use the "20‑minute rule": Any workout that lasts 20 minutes or less can be done anywhere (office break, lunch hour). Even a short brisk walk counts.
2. **Batch Exercise** - Allocate a fixed slot each day for exercise (e.g., Monday–Friday at 6:30 a.m.) and treat it as an appointment you cannot miss.
3. **Active Commute** - If possible, walk or bike to work; if not, park farther away or take public transport that requires walking a few stops.
4. **Standing Desk & Micro‑Movements** - Use a standing desk for part of the day and incorporate simple stretches every hour (e.g., calf raises, shoulder rolls).
5. **Integrate Social Time** - Invite friends to join a walk or workout class; combine socializing with physical activity.
6. **Plan "Recovery" Days** - Schedule days focused on mobility work (yoga, foam rolling) rather than high‑intensity sessions, allowing the body to repair.
By weaving movement seamlessly into daily life—through intentional micro‑movements, strategic rest periods, and mindful recovery practices—you can break the cycle of inactivity, build resilience against injury, and cultivate a sustainable, balanced approach to fitness.