Optimization of performance through the combination of functional foods and sports supplements
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.113642Keywords:
Foods, functional, performance, sports, supplementsAbstract
Introduction: The consumption of functional foods and sports supplements has gained relevance in the field of physical performance due to its potential to enhance athletic capacity.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between the consumption of these products and physical performance in amateur and semi-professional athletes in Ecuador.
Methodology: A quantitative approach was employed, with a non-experimental correlational design. The sample consisted of 150 athletes selected through stratified random sampling, who completed structured questionnaires and performed standardized physical tests to evaluate cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and recovery time.
Results: The results revealed that 68% of the participants regularly consumed functional foods, while 75% used sports supplements. A positive and significant correlation was found between the consumption of functional foods and cardiovas-cular endurance (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), as well as between the use of sports supplements and muscle strength (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the combination of both factors explained 35% of the variability in overall physical performance (R² = 0.35, p < 0.001).
Discussion: These findings are consistent with previous studies that highlight the influence of functional nutrition and sup-plementation on sports performance.
Conclusions: It is concluded that the integration of functional foods and sports supplements significantly contributes to the improvement of physical performance in athletes; thus, their use is recommended under professional supervision.
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