Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have found no significant benefit to athletes from the ingestion of multi-nutrient supplements, despite their popularity and widespread use.

 

Mr Geoff Minett, a PhD student at the School of Human Movement Studies at CSU at Bathurst, will present the findings at the 2009 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport (Be Active ’09) at Brisbane this week.

 

The paper, Effects of acute multi-nutrient supplementation on rugby union match performance and recovery, is co-authored with colleagues Dr Rob Duffield and Dr Stephen Bird from the School of Human Movement Studies.

 

“Despite wide use and lay acceptance, little is known about the effectiveness of multi-nutrients for athletes,” Mr Minett said.

 

“We investigated the effects of a commercially available multi-nutrient supplement on rugby union players’ performance and recovery during competitive matches.

 

“This research did not find outstanding results, though to the best of our knowledge this is the first study to use geo-positioning satellite (GPS) technology to track movement in a rugby union game.”

 

At present, this technique – using GPS technology - is banned by the International Rugby Board (IRB), Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and the NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU).

 

The researchers collected baseline GPS data during six rugby union competition rounds. They then used a randomised, double-blind, cross-over design, in which 12 male rugby union players ingested either a comprehensive multi-nutrient supplement or a matched placebo for five days before competition. Competitive rugby union game running performance was then measured using GPS data in addition to associated blood sampling, vertical jump assessments, and ratings of perceived muscular soreness before, immediately after and 24 hours after competition.

 

“We found no significant differences between supplement conditions for all game running, vertical jump, and ratings of perceived muscular soreness,” Mr Minett said.

 

“However, trends were evident to suggest a beneficial effect on very high intensity running speeds and distances covered during match play, possibly via the buffering qualities of supplement ingredients. Recovery credentials are inconclusive because there was similar blood acidity levels between conditions despite the additional work performed by the players.

 

“Finally, correlations between increased work completed at very high intensities and muscular degradation in supplement conditions may mask any anti-catabolic properties of supplementation.”