Amino acids and pressure in competitive sports

Amino acids and pressure in competitive sport

Stress in competitive sport is by no means limited to the physical level. Due to the constant pressure to perform at their best, athletes are exposed to a variety of stressors that can have a significant impact on their mental well-being (1).

The development of negative psychological stress, which arises from the feeling of not being up to a challenge, can significantly impair performance (2). This can have a particularly noticeable effect on well-being and performance in competition.

Failing in a specific competition situation and not being able to perform at your best is now known as "choking under pressure" (3). In addition to successful training preparation, it is therefore just as important to take measures to regulate stress. The topic becomes exciting with regard to a successful nutrient supply.

In a randomised double-blind study with amino acids, their "influence on psycho-/physical performance and the myofascial system in recreational/performance athletes" (4) was investigated. The amino acids used were phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and taurine, which play a decisive role in the brain metabolism and emotions of athletes (4). The amino acids arginine, proline, methionine and glycine were also used in this study. These amino acids primarily influence the normal function of the myofascial system. After an 8-week intervention, significantly positive results were observed in the intervention group compared to the placebo group with regard to the subjective perception of pain. The general well-being of the intervention group also showed positive trends (4). This result confirms previous studies, which particularly emphasised the positive influence of individualised intake of amino acids on the parasympathetic nervous system (4). Improved sleep quality, an increased feeling of balance and increased concentration were observed (4). Nutritional supplements in competitive sports are often primarily designed to improve physical performance. Studies such as this one demonstrate the potential of nutritional supplements on a psychological level and will hopefully ensure that this area receives more attention in a scientific context in the future.

1 Sulprizio, M., Kleinert, J., & Belz, J. (2021). Mental health in Germany: Examples of good practice in preventing mental disorders and promoting mental health in elite athletes. In C. H. Larsen, K. Moesch, N. Durand-Bush, & K. Henriksen (Eds.), Mental health in elite sport: Applied perspectives from across the globe (pp. 25-35). New York, NY: Routledge.

2 Beckmann, J., Ehrlenspiel, F. (2016). Strategies of stress regulation in competitive sport. In: Fuchs, R., Gerber, M. (eds) Handbuch Stressregulation und Sport. Springer Reference Psychology . Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-49411-0_20-1

3 Moczall, S. (2013). "Choking under Pressure" in Competitive Sports: Theory, Empiricism, Intervention (1st ed.). Hamburg: Kovač.

4 Prof. Dr Wienecke, E., Herbst, R., (02/2020) "Amino acids", URL: (sportaerztezeitung.com)Sportaerztezeitung2020_Wienecke_Herbst_Aminosaeuren.pdf (saluto.de)