Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41058995›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2025

Efficacy of dietary supplements on sports performance outcomes: a systematic review of evidence in elite athletes.

Tongwu Yu, Chuanwei Ding

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Goals in Nutrition Science 2025-2030.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Tongwu YuAnhui Communications Vocational and Technical College, Hefei, China.
Chuanwei DingCapital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplements for enhancing athletic performance specifically in elite athletes, considering supplement type, dosing protocols, and sport-specific demands. Methods: This PRISMA-adherent systematic review (INPLASY202411036) searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportDiscus (Jan 2014-Nov 2024) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials examining dietary supplement interventions in elite athletes, compared to placebo/no intervention, reporting quantitative performance outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale; risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool V.2. Narrative synthesis was performed due to outcome heterogeneity. Results: Forty-six studies ( Conclusion: Dietary supplement efficacy in elite athletes is highly variable, contingent upon supplement type, sport-specific demands, individualized dosing protocols, and athlete characteristics (including potential gender differences). Caffeine and certain amino acid/probiotic formulations demonstrate the most consistent benefits. Findings strongly support individualized, evidence-based supplementation strategies over generic protocols. Future research must address the significant gender gap and underrepresentation of specific sports.

Indexed as

dietary supplementselite athletesergogenic aidssports performancesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41058995
PMCPMC12498230

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.