Vitamins and Sports Performance Results

Introduction

Modern technology, science and training have changed athletes greatly from 100 years ago. Scientists make discoveries more often than not to to help athletes grow stronger, faster, increase mental stamina and even less prone to injuries. But there are some substances that scientists have created to give athletes an advantage over the opponent and go beyond training. These substances are otherwise known as ergogenic aids. But some athletes question; “Are vitamins an example of ergogenic aids?” Vitamins function in the body as metabolic regulators, affecting a number of processes important to sport performance. This is where most athletes wonder if they are taking too many or not enough vitamins to keep their performance at its max during the game. But scientists have concluded that only athletes who are vitamin deficient may not perform at 100%. It also depends which vitamins are taken. If an athlete who is vitamin C deficient takes vitamin D, the athlete’s performance will not improve. Vitamins could be considered ergogenic aids if the athlete is lacking a certain vitamin that is resulting in poor game performance.

Materials and Methods There are many athletes lacking certain important vitamins because of daily food intake (otherwise known as a vitamin deficiency). Athletes who play sports that require them to maintain a low body weight may be restricting their diets and not taking in enough fruits and vegetables. Or they might be taking in too much fast food or unhealthy food and not enough foods to benefit your body’s health. The most common vitamins lacked are antioxidant vitamins C, E and bela-carotene. But also just like there are vitamin deficiencies there are also vitamin overdoses. Though it is very uncommon unless athletes are consuming large doses of vitamins and/or large amounts of vitamin-fortified food.

If a vitamin