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Apr 20, 1555
500-400 B.C.Dietary Supplements and Ergogenic Acids
500-400 B.C.Dietary Supplements and Ergogenic Acids This search for dietary supplements and ergogenic aids, or substances that enhance work performance, is as ancient as sports themselves. Dietary fads are known from ca. 500–400 B.C., when athletes and warriors used products such as deer liver and lion heart to impart certain benefits, hoping that consumption would produce bravery, speed or strength. -
About 100 years agoCarbohydrates
It has been known since the 20th century that during very heavy, intense exercise, the primary fuel source carbohydrates. Science has proved long ago that carbs are an ergogenic aid. Early 20th century with the advent of research on the understanding muscular work gave way to research on the specific roles of protein, fat and carbohydrates and how fuels were being used during exercise. Before the development of exercise science, fuel use was misunderstood. -
100 years – 1940sAmphetamine and Blood Doping
Amphetamine use by athletes was documented in the early 1900s, blood doping was used to improve endurance of World War II pilots in the 1940s. -
1920s and 1930sCarbohydrates
Until the 1920s there was little applied effort to manipulate carbohydrate intake in the diet of athletes, when comparative studies of high carbohydrate and high fat diets revealed that high carbohydrate intakes resulted in increased efficiency of muscular work.
Harvard Medical School has conducted experiments since 1924 to test the carbohydrates as an exercise aid, even conducting early experiments on Boston Maraton runners in 1924 marathon. -
1940s-1960s Protein and Nitrogen
Experiments in the 1940s had demonstrated that supplemental protein did not enhance endurance performance, but athletes continued to use protein as a primary focus of their diet. Other experiments conducted at this time demonstrated supplemental protein could enhance muscle mass if taken by power or strength athletes. Protein use beyond nutritional-physiological requirements defined in the 1940s increased nitrogen retention. -
1950s Steroids
Anabolic steroids were tested for their effect on improving muscle mass and athletic performance in the 1950s. -
1930s – 1950sErgogenic Aids
Other items used by athletes may be called ergogenic aids, among them gelatin, ginseng, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and wheat germ oil. Research on these products dates to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. -
1970s Caffeine
One of the most commonly used ergogenic products since the 1970s is caffeine. Although the effectiveness of caffeine as a means of masking fatigue has been explored since the early 1900s, the use of this ergogenic aid became popular following widely publicized research indicating improved endurance performance. Caffeine is an example of a readily obtainable ergogenic aid that acts as a stimulant but is banned by the International Olympic Committee. -
Today
Athletes commonly consume beverage supplements during exercise, such as creatine powder. Hard carbohydrate intake during exercise isn't as common. Strength athletes interested in optimizing nitrogen retention and enhancing protein gains have utilized these products. Creatine, amino acids, protein supplements, and dietary drinks are leading the way. These supplements are usually consumed during exercise and for 1–2 h following intensive strength-training exercise.
