Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective: Adolescence is a critical period in human development during which rapid physiological changes create special nutritional needs, particularly in adolescent athletes. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence published between 2010 and 2025 on the effects of nutritional interventions on sports performance in adolescent and elite athletes.
Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO framework. A structured search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect using relevant keywords. Studies were included if they involved adolescents aged 10–19 years, implemented at least one nutritional intervention, and reported sports performance outcomes. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 82 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Results: The interventions examined included dietary supplements (protein, creatine, sports drinks), targeted dietary regimens, and nutrition education programs. The findings indicated that these interventions produced significant improvements in indicators such as VO₂max, muscle strength, endurance, speed, and body composition. However, heterogeneity in sport type, duration and intensity of the interventions, and performance assessment methods limited the possibility of conducting a unified pooled quantitative analysis. Evidence also showed that many adolescents have insufficient nutrition knowledge, which may lead to relative energy deficiency, poor food choices, and an increased risk of eating disorders. The use of supplements is also on the rise, yet conclusive evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of some of these products in this age group is lacking.
Conclusion: This review highlights the need to design nutritional interventions tailored to the specific requirements of adolescent athletes and to strengthen nutrition education within families, sports clubs, and schools. Furthermore, well-designed prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to provide more applicable recommendations.
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