SynthesisEndocrine2024
Is melatonin as an ergogenic hormone a myth? a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Endocrine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of different dietary supplements on athletic performance in soccer players: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2025Pooled it
- The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review.Nutrients · 2023Pooled it
- Trial
- Effect of acute administration of melatonin immediately after physical exercise on the amino acid profile of rat's skeletal muscle and liver.Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society · 2025Article
- Effects of Melatonin Administration on Physical Performance and Biochemical Responses Following Exhaustive Treadmill Exercise.Current issues in molecular biology · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
12 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeMelatonin supplementation has been disclosed as an ergogenic substance. However, the effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in healthy subjects has not been systematically investigated. The present study analyzed the effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance and recovery. In addition, it was investigated whether exercise bout or training alter melatonin secretion in athletes and exercise practitioners.
methodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA statement. Based on the search and inclusion criteria, 21 studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 were included in the meta-analysis.
resultsMelatonin supplementation did not affect aerobic performance relative to time trial (-0.04; 95% CI: -0.51 to 0.44) and relative to VO
conclusionThe data indicate that melatonin is not an ergogenic hormone. In contrast, melatonin supplementation improves post-exercise recovery, even without altering its secretion.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.