Herbs and Athletes

Term Paper # 93906

Nutrition > Exercise
Sport > Medicine and Drugs

Herbs and Athletes

A discussion on herbal supplements and their effects on athletes.

965 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the negative and positive effects on athletes of herbal supplements. It looks at how most herbs are marketed to athletes with little or no solid data to back up the claims for improved performance, increased muscle mass, or enhanced energy on the field. It also suggests that more research on herbs, health, and athletic performance is needed to better assess efficacy and safety.

From the Paper:

"Sports-related uses of herbs include enhancing performance in prolonged endurance events, inducing muscular hypertrophy and increasing strength, decreasing body fat, speeding recovery, and improving performance in team sports (Bucci, 2000). Many athletes may use herbal products to try to aid in healing after an injury, to decrease inflammation, to manage pain, to stay more alert, and to boost immunity and optimize their chances of staying healthy in and out of season, enabling them to compete at the highest level."

Sample of Sources Used:

Barnes, P., E. Powell-Griner, K. McFann, and R. Nahin (2004). CDC Advance Data Report #343. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults: United States, 2002. May 27, 2004.
Bucci, L.R. (2000). Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 72:624S-636S.
Blumenthal, M. (ed) (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin: American Botanical Council, pp. 383.
Engels, H.J., M.M. Fahlman, and J.C. Wirth (2003). Effects of ginseng on secretory IgA, performance, and recovery from interval exercise. Med. Sci.Sports Exerc. 35:690-696.
Tveiten D. and S. Bruset (2003). Effect of Arnica D30 in marathon runners. Pooled results from two double-blind placebo controlled studies. Homeopathy. 92:187-189.