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Is melatonin as an ergogenic hormone a myth? a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

Melatonin supplementation has been disclosed as an ergogenic substance. However, the effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in healthy subjects has not been systematically investigated. The present study analyzed the effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance and recovery. In addition, it was investigated whether exercise bout or training alter melatonin secretion in athletes and exercise practitioners.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA statement. Based on the search and inclusion criteria, 21 studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 were included in the meta-analysis.

Results

Melatonin supplementation did not affect aerobic performance relative to time trial (−0.04; 95% CI: −0.51 to 0.44) and relative to VO2 (0.00; 95% CI: −0.57 to 0.57). Also, melatonin supplementation did not affect strength performance (0.19; 95% CI: −0.28 to 0.65). Only Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) secretion increased after melatonin supplementation (1.40; 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.51). Post-exercise melatonin secretion was not changed immediately after an exercise session (0.56; 95% CI: −0.29 to 1.41) and 60 min after exercise (0.56; 95% CI: −0.29 to 1.41).

Conclusion

The data indicate that melatonin is not an ergogenic hormone. In contrast, melatonin supplementation improves post-exercise recovery, even without altering its secretion.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The funding institutions had no role in the study design, data analysis, publication decision, or article preparation.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the development of the research question and study design. F.R.D., L.R.D., H.O.C., and C.C.C. performed the literature search. F.R.D., L.R.D., H.O.C., J.G.R.P.F., M.C.M., H.F.G.L., T.C.A.M., V.N.L., A.B.P., L.H.R.L., M.O.P. and C.C.C. performed the study selection. F.R.D., L.R.D., H.O.C., L.H.R.L., M.O.P. and C.C.C. analyzed the data. All authors interpreted the results and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The funding institutions had no role in the study design, data analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

    Filipe Rios Drummond, Lucas Rios Drummond, Helton Oliveira Campos, João Guilhermo Rios Pimenta Fernandes, Mateus da Costa Monteiro, Henrique Fernandes Gerspacher Lara, Tito Cardoso de Almeida Mafra, Victor Neiva Lavorato, André Bahia Pereira, Maristela de Oliveira Poletini & Cândido Celso Coimbra

  2. Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais – Unidade Divinópolis, Divinópolis, MG, Brasil

    Lucas Rios Drummond

  3. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais – Unidade Carangola, Carangola, MG, Brasil

    Helton Oliveira Campos

  4. Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil

    Laura Hora Rios Leite

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  1. Filipe Rios Drummond
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Drummond, F.R., Drummond, L.R., Campos, H.O. et al. Is melatonin as an ergogenic hormone a myth? a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 83, 302–321 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-023-03498-1

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