Ergogenic Aids

This fact sheet provides an overview of selected ingredients in dietary supplements designed or claimed to enhance exercise and athletic performance.

Ingredients in bodybuilding and performance-enhancing supplements vary, and some are potentially problematic. Many have little or no reliable research on their safety, and most studies address only short-term use. This article offers things to consider and links to FDA Consumer Update about bodybuilding products.

For more information, check out the OPSS Caffeine and Performance Infographic.

Read about how creatine works and if it can improve athletic performance.

Provides background information on caffeine, examines its safety and summarizes key research conducted on caffeine and health.

Reviews current research on supplements and categorizes products according to safety and efficacy.

Provides guidance on evaluating various supplements. Also in PDF|99 KB.

Provides information on resources, research, publications, news releases and general information for parents and teens as well as researchers an healthcare workers.

A peer-reviewed journal that covers various aspects of sports nutrition, supplementation, exercise metabolism, and/or scientific policies related to sports nutrition.

Provides current information on sports nutrition and exercise science. Also includes articles on sport/athletic supplements:

• Creatine, Carbs & Fluids: How Important in Soccer Nutrition?
• Carbohydrate Supplementation During Exercise: How Much is Too Much?
• Caffeine and Exercise Performance
• Herbs and Athletes
• Scientifically Debatable: Is Creatine Worth Its Weight?
• Carbohydrates and Branched Chain Amino Acids and Endurance: The Central Fatigue Hypothesis