The quest for reaching the pinnacle of physical performance and aesthetics can be traced to ancient times. Long before the pervasive use of illicit drugs in modern sports, or the popularity of surgical augmentation techniques such as implants or liposuction, our ancestors also sought ancillary means to achieving a body that was ideal in form and function.

Facts

By nature, athletics demand a competitive attitude. The athlete may desire to outperform the opponent, or the athlete may compete with oneself while striving to maximize personal potential. This drive to succeed has fueled the development of several performance­enhancing resources. Tools intended to enhance athletic performance are referred to as “ergogenic aids,” a term derived from the Greek words “ergon,” meaning “work,” and “gennan” meaning “to produce.” Ergogenic aids may take several forms, including nutritional, pharmacological, physiological, biomechanical, and psychological. The purpose is to provide an indepth treatment of the dynamic field of nutritional ergogenic aids, which is rapidly accumulating new scientific evidence.


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