Great eyesight is essential for batsmen. Its a well known fact that some of the great batsmen have one thing in common – exceptional vision. This allows them to determine the pitch, speed and trajectory of the cricket ball in quick time. So, what can we take to support and sustain good vision?

Lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin supplements are said to have been able to sharpen contrast by reducing glare and blur in your vision and absorb damaging blue light, preventing oxidative damage that destroys cells in your eyes – allowing the ball to be clearly seen during high levels of light intensity – thus improving the manner in which the ball is struck.

The most sensitive part of the central retina, responsible for visual acuity and colour vision is the macula. Studies have shown that the supplementation with Lutein can stimulate the production of this third cartenoid.

Opthomologists regularly prescribe Leutin and zeaxanthin to patients suffering from macular degeneration because there is clear evidence of the ophthalmological benefits of these important supplements.

The martial art of taekwondo has been practiced for hundreds of years and has remained to this day one of the most popular martial art. Kick and punch speed are both core features of this sport – whose basic principles are built by physical expenditure and diligent practice but can be further enhanced by the use of supplements.

The ability to land first on your opponent, while carrying enough speed to induce an aura of unpredictability is crucial to success in any combat sport. It is known that the use of a caffeine supplement can increase reaction time. In a statistical test ten taekwondo athletes ingested either 5 mg per kg of body mass of caffeine or a placebo and performed two combats (spaced apart by 20 min). The reaction-time test (five kicks “Bandal Tchagui”) was performed immediately prior to the first combat and immediately after the first and second combats. On average it was observed that the caffeine supplement improved reaction time (from 0.42 ± 0.05 to 0.37 ± 0.07 s). The inclusion of further studies has lead to the theory that caffeine can act as an ergogenic aid diuretic.

Power is defined as energy transferred per unit time. Combative athletes spend hours in practice to improve their technique in which they deliver this transfer of energy to their opponents. However, the use of supplements can further facilitate the level of power produced by an athlete. Protein is a key dietary supplement that can improve muscular strength if consumed during periods of resistant training. One recent study found that judo players who consumed supplemental protein developed better power output than those who did not. Furthermore, the use of creatine monohydrate is said to increase upper and lower body power production alongside an increased high intensity exercise capacity.

During the high intensity exercise that these arts demand the body is subjected to a process known as proteolysis which breaks down muscle tissue in the body. The supplement Hydroxy-MethylButrate has demonstrated anti catabolic potential, meaning it can help to inhibit the loss of muscle mass – thus ensuring energy and power levels are maintained and not degraded.

Adverse health effects of this level of training are common and can have drastic effects on an athlete’s competition performance – for example the lowering of the pH of the blood. A buffering agent in the form of sodium bicarbonate can prevent this change from occurring and subsequently increase endurance levels for sustained power levels and hand speed.

Taekwondo’s three rounds of two minutes rely on competitors being able to deliver power packed offence and defence in short sharp combat periods – there is little margin for error and supplements may just give competitors the edge.

The complex mix of cognitive, emotional and physical factors are required to maximise performance levels in the sport of golf. The sequence of coordinated muscle movements impact both the accuracy and distance with which the ball is struck. In its purest sense, the golf swing like any other movement in sport, is based upon the efficiency of the transfer of energy.

Currently the progression of the golf swing has been somewhat limited to the increased development of new golf clubs , however minimal effort has been made to include the use of ethical nutritional supplements to enhance this sport performance. This is somewhat surprising as during the course of a round of golf (on average lasting from 2-4 hours) increased levels of dehydration and reduced energy levels can be observed – causing mental and physical fatigue – both of which can have adverse effects on the manner in which the golf ball is struck.

One of the few sports supplements used to ethically increase performance levels in golf is a supplement that includes phosphatidylserine – designed to keep levels of focus constant by inhibiting the production of cortisol – a stress stimulating hormone released at low blood glucose levels. This is thought to enable the expected degradation of mental fatigue to be lowered and subsequently can improve the outcome of the swing. The addition of creatine supplement is said to allow for an explosive release of energy – a trait which is integral to a powerful drive. This conclusion can be derived from a statistical test carried out by where drive distance increased by a mean result of 8.4% for those who took the supplement once a day for 30 days prior to the golf swing.

Coffee arabica is added to some supplements. This fruit extract can allow for an increase in endurance levels by reducing pain perception. Furthermore, the inclusion of Boron can also enhance the swing of the golf club as it allows for calcium retention in bones – strengthening them thus limiting the risk of an increased pain sensitivity – an outcome also observed through the inclusion of the compound calcium fructoborate which acts anti-inflammatory and antitoxin. It is known that changes to levels of physical fatigue can drastically effect the result of any competitive action and that if they can be maintained for longer periods of time a greater outcome can be observed.

The use of supplements for golfers is currently on the rise. Golf is generally a game of small margins and golfers are keen to gain any advantage to improve their score. No doubt we will see an increasing number of offerings from supplement manufacturers in the future promising to increase drive length, stamina and concentration whilst protecting muscle and bone. Watch this space for further articles.

Athletes are expected to consider multiple factors when making informed decisions about nutritional supplement use. Besides rules, regulations and potential health hazards, the efficacy of different nutritional supplements in performance enhancement is a key issue. The articles uploaded on this blog are primarily aimed to find evidence behind the informed decisions made related to the use of nutritional supplements by investigating the relationship between specific performance-related reasons and different supplement use.