Effect of ergogenic aids and their nutritional performance on the swimmer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70208/3007.8245.v6.n1.390Keywords:
swimming, ergogenic aids, sports performanceAbstract
Background. Swimming as a sport proves to be highly competitive, where small variations in performance can bring significant differences in results, especially in short-distance tests; the nutritional supplementation has been exposed as a strategy to the complement of optimising the swimmers performance. Methods. A systematic literature review was carried out under the PRISMA methodology. The search was carried out in the databases Pubmed, Google Scholar, ELSEVIER, Redalyc, SciELO and ScienceDirect, studies published between 2020-2025 were contemplated and those investigations analysed in young adult and average adult swimmers were selected, as well as the analysis of different ergogenic aids in specific swimming tests. Results. It was found that supplementation with L-arginine, caffeine and a combination of sodium bicarbonate with beta alanine showed positive effects on performance, mainly in short-distance and high-intensity tests. Among the supplements analog, L-arginine stood out as the ergogenic aid with greater consistency in improving swimming times. Conclusions. Supplementation with L-arginine in swimming can represent a viable strategy in the optimisation of time and its performance, however, the need to continue with research that strengthens knowledge of the use of nutritional supplements in this discipline is highlighted.
References
Acar, K. et al. (2024). Caffeine Improves Sprint Time in Simulated Freestyle Swimming Competition but Not the Vertical Jump in Female Swimmers. Nutrients. 16(9):1253. (47)
Bailey, E., et al. (2025). Influence of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on repeat interval swimming performance in well-trained adolescents swimmers. Performance nutrition. 1:5. (62)
Baldassarre, R., et al. (2021). Carbohydrate supplementation during a simulated 10-km open water swimming race: effects on physiological, perceptual parameters and performance. Eur J Spo Sci. (22):390-398. (61)
Bestard, M., Rothschild, J., Crocker, G., (2020). Effects of low-and high-Carbohydrate diets on swimming economy: a crossover study. J Int Soc Spo Nut. 17(64). (63)
Castillo, M., Lozano, M., Sospedra, I., Norte, A., Guitierrez, A.,Martinez, J., (2022). Energy and Macronutrients Intake in Indoor Sport Team Athletes: Systematic Review. Nutrients. 14:4755. (14)
Castillo, P., Cabrera, M., Ramirez, L. (2023). Los suplementos nutricionales en el deporte de alto rendimiento y proyectos de su desarrollo en Cuba. RPCAFD. 10(1):1590-1604. (4)
Chun, H., Huey, W., Tzu, T., Ching, Wu. & Chen, C. (2018). The effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Citrulline, and Arginine on High-Intensity Interval Performance in Young Swimmers. Nutrients. 10(2):1979. (49)
Clarke, J. Highton, J. Close, G. & Twist, C. (2019). Carbohydrate and Caffeine Improves High-Intensity Running of Elite Rugby League Players During Simulated Match Play. J Streng Cond Res. 33(5):1320-7 (2)
Domínguez, R., Sánchez, J., Cuenca, E., Jodra, P., Fernandes, S. & Mata, F. (2017). Nutritional needs in the professional practice of swimming: a review. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 21(4):001-010 (5)
Dominguez, R., López, I., Moreno, J., Rico, E., Sánchez, A., Sánchez, A. & Pecci, J. (2025). Sport supplementation in competitive swimmers: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 22(1):2486988 (12)
Devrim, A., Hill, L. & Knechtle, B. (2021). Efficacy of Popular Diets Applied by Endurance Athletes on Sports Performance: Beneficial or Detrimental? A narrative Review. Nutrients. 13(2);491 (24)
Delpino, F., et al. (2022). Influence of age, sex, and type of exercise on the efficacy of creatine supplementation on lean body mass: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. 103-104. (59)
Esen, O., Can, M., Abdioglu, M., Benesova, D., Gabrys, T. & Karayigit, R. (2022). Eight Days of L-Citrulline or L-Arginine supplementation Did Not Improve 200-m and 100-m Swimming Time Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 19(8):4462. (45)
Gambardella, J. et al. (2021). Effects of Chronic Supplementation og L-Arginine on Physical Fitness in Water Polo Players. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2021;7. (46)
Georgiou, G., Antoniou, K. et al. (2024). Effect of Beta Alanine Supplementation on Maximal Intensity Exercise in Trained Young Male individuals: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 34(6): 397-412. (43)
Gilsanz, L., Seone, J. Jiménez, S., & Galeano, H. (2023) Effect of B-alanine and sodium bicarbonate co-supplementation on the body’s buffering capacity and sports performance: A systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 63(21):5080-5093. (64)
Gough, L., Deb, S., Brown, D., Sparks, S., McNaughton, L. (2019). The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on cycling performance and acid base balance recovery in acute normobaric hypoxia. J sports Sci. 37(13):1464-1471. (19)
Gough, L., Newbury, J. &, Prince, M. (2023). The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on swimming interval performance in trained competitive swimmers. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 123:1763-1771. (18)
Gric, J., et al. (2021). International society of sports nutrition position stand sodium bicarbonate and exercise. J Int Soc nutr. 18(61). (36)
Grgic, J. & Mikulic, P. (2022). Ergogenic of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Middle-, But Not Short-Distance Swimming Tests: A Meta-Analysis. J Diet Suppl. 19(6):791-802. (54)
Grgic, J. (2022). A meta-analysis on the effects of caffeine ingestion on swimming performance. Nutrition & Food Science. 52(8): 1242-1253 (30)
Guadalberto, J., y Wilber, C. (2023). Efectos de la nutrición deportiva en el rendimiento y la recuperación de deportistas de alto rendimiento. Ciencia y Educación. (13)
Guest, N. el al. (2021) International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. Jour Int Soci of Spo Nut. 18:1. (38)
Huang, D, el al. (2024). Effects of Creatine Supplementation on the Performance, Physiological Response, and Body Composition Among Swimmers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trialls. Sports Medicine. 10:115 (20)
Huang, D., et al. (2025) Effects of Different Dietary Supplements on Swimming Performance: A systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 17(1):33 (65)
Jagim, A. & Kerksick, C. (2021) Creatine Supplementation in Children and Adolescents. Nutrients. 13(2):664. (51)
Jakše, B., Lipošek, S., Zenić, N. & Šajber, D. (2022). Olympic Cycle Comparison of the Nutricional and Cardiovascular Health Status of an Elite-Level Female Swimmer: Case Study Report from Slovenia. Sports. 10,63. (26)
Jimenez, R., et al. (2022). Consumption of Sports Supplements in Open Water Swimmers According to the competitive level. Nutrients. 14(24):5211. (39)
Kaufman, M., Nguyen, C., Shetty, M., Oppezzo, M., Barrack, M., & Fredericson, M. (2023); Popular Dietary Trends Impact on Athletic Performance. A Critical Analysis Review. Nutrients. 15(16):3511. (1)
Klein, D., McClain, P., Montemorano, V. & Santacroce, A. (2023). Pre-Season Nutritional Intake and Prevalence of low energy availability in NCAA Dvision III Colegiate Swimmers. Nutrients. 15, 2827. (25)
Kurhaluk, N. (2023). The effectiveness of L-arginine in Clinical Conditions Associated with Hypoia. Int.J.Mol.Sci. 24;8205. (37)
Kürsat, A., et al. (2024). Caffeine Improves Sprint Time in Simulated Freestyle Swimming Competition but Not the vertical Jump in Female Swimmers. Nutrients. 16(9): 1253. (29)
Kwok, W., So, B., Tse, D., & Ng, S. (2021) A systematic review and meta-analysis: Biomechanical evaluation of the effectiveness of strength and conditioning training programs on front crawl swimming performance. J Sports Sci. Med. 20:564. (21)
Lara, B., et al. (2015). Acute consumption of caffeinated energy drink enhances aspects of performance in sprint swimmers. British Journal of Nutrition. 114: 908-914. (31)
Leitão, L., Sánchez, A. & Domínguez, R. (2024). Effects of Beet Juice on Performance in Competitive Swimmers. Cultura Ciencia y Deporte. 19(62):1-237 (48)
Matías, C., Bicho, M., Laires, M., & Monteiro, C. (2020). Athletes have more susceptibility to oxidative stress: Truth or myth? A study in swimmers. Sci & Spo. (35):20-28. (60)
Matsuda, T., Kato, H., Suzuki, H., Mizugaki, A., Ezaki, T. & Ogita, F. (2018). Within-Day Amino Acid Intakes and Nitrogen Balance in Male Collegiate Swimmers during the General Preparation Phase. Nutrients. 10, 1809. (27)
Matthew, H., Manetta, E. & Tupper, K. (2021). Creatine Supplementation: An Update. Nutrition and Ergogenic Aids. Current Sports Medicine Reports 20(7):338-344. (10)
McKinlay, B., et al. (2022). Effects of Post-Exercise Whey Protein Consumption on Recovery Indices in Adolescent Swimmers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 17(21):7761.(55)
Mielgo, J. et al. (2019). Effects of Creatine supplementation on Athletic Performance in Soccer Players: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 11:757 (34)
Mizugaki, A., Kato, H., Suzuki, H., Kurihara, H. & Ogita, F. (2021). Nutritional Practice and Nitrogen Balance in Elite Japanese Swimmers during a Training Camp. Sports. 9, 17. (28)
Moreno, B., Veiga, S., Sánchez, A., Domínguez, R. & Morencos, E. (2022). Analysis os Sport Supplement Compsumtion by Competitive Swimmers According to sex and Competitive Level. Nutrients. 14(15);3218. (40)
Moreno, B. Et al. (2023). Effects of beetroot juice on repeated performance of competitive swimmers. Front. Physiol. 13:1076295. (32)
Moreno, B., Morencos, E., Morais, J., Barbosa, T. & Veiga, S. (2024). A single dose of beetroot juice performance during Intervallic Swimming Efforts. Journal of Spo. Sci. and Med. 23:228-235. (33)
Newbury, J. Kelly, A., Chessor, R., Sparks, S., McNaughton, L. & Gough. L. (2021). The time to peak blood bicarbonate (HCO3), pH, and strong ion difference (SID) following sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion in highly trained adolescent https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/6/1289swimmers. PLoS ONE. 16(7):e0248456 (17)
Newbury, J., Sparks, A., Cole, M., Kelly, A. & Gough, L. (2023). Nutritional Supplement Use in a UK High-Performance Swimming Club. Nutrients. 15(5):3306. (53)
Newbury, J., Cole, M., Kelly, A. & Gough, L. (2024). Neither an Individualised Nor a Standardised Sodium Bicarbonate Strategy Improved Performance in High-Intensity repeated swimming, or a Subsequent 200 m Swimming time trial in Highly Trained Female Swimmers. (41)
Newbury, J., Cole, M., Bailey, S., Kelly, A. & Gough, L. (2024). Citrulline Malate Fails to Improve Repeted 300 m Swimming Times in Highly Trained Swimmers. Physiologia. 4(2):243-252.(50)
Norberto, M., Barbieri, R., & Papago, M. (2020). Beta alanine supplementation effects on metabolic and swimming performance. Jou Int Soc Spo Nut. 17:40. (42)
Ortega, A., Gonzalez, J. & Mielgo, J. (2024). Endurance in Long-Distance swimming and the Use of Nutritional Aids. Nutrients. 16(22):3949.(52)
Oviedo, B., et al. (2023). Desarrollo muscular como componente del deporte y rendimiento humano. CID. (3)
Paruhum, R. (2024). The role of cafeína O’Neil swimming: a literature review. Rev. Eduvest. 4(12):12062-12066. (7)
Pickering, C., & Grgic, J. (2021). A time and a Place: A framework for caffeine periodization throughout the sporting year. Nutrition. (82): 111046. (57)
Rezende S., Swinton, P., De Oliveira, L., Da Silva, R. Nemezio, K. (2020). Respuesta de la Carnosina muscular a la suplementación con beta alanina: Una revisión sistemática con datos bayesianos individuales y agregados, modelo E-Max y metaanálisis. Front Nutr. 11:913. (9)
Ribero, F., Bertucci, D. et al. (2024). B-Alanine Plus Sodium Bicarbonate Co-Supplementation Does Not Decrease Neuromuscular Fatigue in Swimming. Int J Exerc Sci. 17(2):648-659 (44)
Salgueiro, D. (2022). Caffeine improves swimming speed, decreases the rate of perceived exertion and lactate concentration during a high intensity intermittent aerobic training session for male swimmers. Science & Sports. 37(8):762-765. (8)
Silva, W., et al. (2023). Effects of acute nítrate supplementation against placebo on the physical performance of athletes in a time trial test: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci & Spor. (38):12-24. (58)
Trexler, A., Persky, A., Ryan, E., Schwartz, T., Stoner, L. & Smith, A. (2019). Acute effects of citruline supplementation on high-intensity strength and power performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 49,707-718 (15)
Teocharidis, A., et al. (2022). Effects of post exercise protein supplementation on markers of bone Turnover in adolescent swimmers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 17(2):20. (56)
Viribay, A., Burgos, J., Fernández, J., Seco, J. & Mielgo, J. (2020). Effects of arginine Supplementation no Athletic Performance based in energy Metabolism: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 17(4),2375. (16)
Vitale, K. & Getzin, A. (2019). Nutrition and supplement Update for the Endurance Athlete: Review and Recommendations. Nutrients. 11(6):1289. (23)
Wang, X., Wang, H., Wu, H. (2023). Dietary ergogenic supplementation to improve elite swimming players performance and recovery. Sci. Sports. 38:510-518 (22)
Willingham, B., Ragland, T. (2020). Betaine Supplementation May Improve Hera Tolerance: Potential Mechanisms in Humans. Nutrients. 12:2939. (6)













