Exploring Complex Carbohydrates and Proteins for Enhanced Athletic Performance and Fatigue Reduction

The field of sports nutrition has increasingly focused on the role of macromolecules, particularly complex carbohydrates and proteins, in enhancing exercise performance and reducing fatigue. These macromolecules are vital for maintaining energy balance, supporting immune function, and providing prebiotic and antimicrobial benefits. Recent studies have highlighted their potential in offering anti-fatigue and performance-enhancing effects through various mechanisms. Proteins are known to aid in muscle restoration, supply energy, and serve as substrates for cytokine synthesis, while digestible complex carbohydrates directly influence energy absorption rates. Notably, indigestible carbohydrates, such as dietary fibers, can also interact with gut microbiota, impacting the gut-muscle, gut-bone, and gut-brain axes. Despite these advancements, there remains a need to explore innovative sources of complex carbohydrates and proteins, such as fungi, microalgae, and herbs, and to understand their biological functions. Additionally, the dose-effect response and structure-effect relationship of these macromolecules require further investigation to fully elucidate their roles in sports nutrition.

This research topic aims to advance the current understanding of how complex carbohydrates and proteins can reduce fatigue and improve exercise performance in both professional athletes and the general fitness population. The primary objective is to explore the effects and mechanisms by which these macromolecules contribute to anti-fatigue and performance enhancement. The research will focus on the hypothesized abilities of complex carbohydrates and proteins to alleviate fatigue and modulate sports performance, as well as the development of personalized sports supplements that could benefit athletes across various exercise modalities.

To gather further insights in the realm of complex carbohydrates and proteins, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Innovative oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and proteins (including peptides) with sport-related functions derived from various sources
- In vivo and in vitro experiments to validate the anti-fatigue or performance-enhancing effects and molecular mechanisms of complex carbohydrates and proteins
- Experimental or review studies on complex carbohydrates and proteins working through the gut-muscle axis, gut-bone axis, and gut-brain axis
- Examination of the structure and effects of complex carbohydrates and proteins
- Human study interventions on the effect of complex carbohydrates and proteins on reducing fatigue and enhancing sports performance
- Prospects for the application of complex carbohydrates and proteins in the athletic population

Keywords: Polysaccharides, protein, anti-fatigue, endurance, strength

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.