🎯 Título: Qué suplementos respaldan el rendimiento en ciclismo
📌 En breve: Una revisión de la evidencia sobre suplementos ergogénicos y médicos para ciclistas encuentra apoyo más sólido para un grupo específico de compuestos, con calidad de evidencia variable entre suplementos.
🔬 Puntos clave:
### Suplementos que apoyan la energía muscular
Compuestos como beta-alanina, cafeína, carbohidratos, carnitina, creatina monohidrato, nitratos dietéticos, electrolitos, cetonas exógenas, N-acetilcisteína y bicarbonato de sodio apoyan los sistemas energéticos del músculo mejorando la utilización de sustratos, la capacidad de amortiguación del ácido láctico, la disponibilidad de energía o la resistencia a la fatiga — no todos actúan por el mismo mecanismo.
### Suplementos de apoyo indirecto
Calcio, jugo de cereza, colágeno, curcumina, hierro, multivitamínicos, omega-3, jugo de pepinillo, probióticos, proteína, vitamina C, vitamina D y zinc contribuyen de forma indirecta a la salud ósea, la integridad del tejido conectivo, el manejo de la inflamación, el estado de micronutrientes, la reparación muscular o la función intestinal.
### La evidencia no es pareja
La calidad de la evidencia varía sustancialmente entre suplementos; el respaldo más fuerte corresponde a los compuestos del Grupo A del Instituto Australiano del Deporte (AIS), mientras que otros cuentan con evidencia más limitada.
🎯 Aplicación clínica para LATAM: Priorizar en ciclistas de la región los suplementos con mayor respaldo de evidencia (Grupo A del AIS) antes de recurrir a opciones con evidencia más débil, e individualizar según pruebas fisiológicas (VO2max, umbral de lactato) cuando estén disponibles.
⚠ Limitaciones: Es una revisión narrativa de la literatura, no un estudio experimental propio, y la calidad de la evidencia detrás de cada suplemento individual varía considerablemente.
Background
A growing body of evidence supports the use of supplements to enhance cycling performance through both direct and indirect mechanisms.
Methods
This review was informed by a structured literature search conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published up to May 2025. Studies were included if they involved human participants, were published in English and evaluated outcomes related to endurance performance, recovery or physiological function.
Results
Direct enhancement with ergogenic supplements is primarily achieved via modulation of skeletal muscle energy metabolism. During exercise, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resynthesis is driven by the phosphagen system, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and beta-oxidation, with each system contributing according to the intensity and duration of the effort. Supplements such as beta-alanine, caffeine, carbohydrates, carnitine, creatine monohydrate, dietary nitrates, electrolytes, exogenous ketones, N-acetylcysteine and sodium bicarbonate support these energy systems by improving substrate utilization, buffering capacity, energy availability or resistance to fatigue. In addition to ergogenic supplements that directly enhance performance, medical supplements play an important indirect role by supporting bone health, connective tissue integrity, inflammation management, micronutrient status, muscle repair and gut function. Evidence-based options for cyclists include calcium, cherry juice, collagen, curcumin, iron, multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, pickle juice, probiotics, protein, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Each contribute to either improved recovery, immune support or long-term physiological adaptation. Evidence quality varied substantially across supplements, with strongest support for Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Group A compounds. The integration of physiological testing including assessments of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), lactate threshold, metabolic substrate utilization and blood biomarkers may inform the development of individualized supplementation strategies tailored to training demands and competitive goals.
Conclusions
This evidence-informed approach underscores the synergistic relationship between nutrition, training and performance optimization in cycling. Future research should explore personalized nutrition frameworks, interactions between multi-supplement protocols and the molecular mechanisms underpinning adaptation to endurance training and nutritional interventions.
Cómo citar:
Rowland A, Edwards S, Prieto-Bellver G, Menz B, Rowland A, Cornelisse E, Karapetis CS, Wallen MP, Hopkins AM. (2026).
A comprehensive review of the physiology and evidence base to guide the use of ergogenic and medical supplements for enhanced cycling performance.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2026.2630487 ↗ PMID: 41685663 ↗ Acceso al paper: Ver completo ↗
