Sports performance is a crucial aspect of an athlete’s career and ability to achieve high talent, skill, and success in their chosen sport. Many factors can impact sports performance, and bee products are natural food supplements athletes can use to enhance their performance. Propolis, royal jelly, and pollen are bee products that can increase energy levels, promote muscle recovery and strengthening, boost the immune system, and support sports performance. Physical Fitness and Training Program To achieve maximum efficiency from physical factors such as endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, and coordination, athletes should have a training program tailored to their goals, which includes appropriate rest periods. In addition, quality sleep is essential for the body to rest and recover. Propolis can relieve muscle fatigue. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in Japan in 2022 investigated the effect of one-week propolis administration on muscle fatigue and post-physical performance recovery. Eighteen healthy young men ingested capsules containing high or low doses of propolis or a placebo for one week before performing a physical exercise protocol. The study evaluated maximum voluntary contraction torque, central fatigue, and peripheral fatigue before, immediately after, and 2 minutes after physical performance. The results showed that propolis administration improved the recovery of muscle fatigue by reducing central fatigue. Stress is a significant factor that can negatively impact sports performance. Athletes experiencing stress may have difficulty focusing, which can impair their performance. Various techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, have been shown to help athletes cope with stress. Factors such as confidence, motivation, and focus, which reflect mental health status, also significantly affect sports performance. Royal jelly helps improve cognitive functions.
A study conducted at Warsaw University in 2014 investigated the effect of long-term royal jelly consumption on rats’ cognitive function. The study administered two different oral doses of royal jelly (50 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day) to rats for two months. Afterward, the levels of synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection markers were analyzed in the rats. Results showed that the group that received the higher dose of royal jelly had a faster improvement in their cognitive behaviors, including spatial memory, decision-making, and attention. These findings suggest that royal jelly may have neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects. In addition, proper nutrition and strong immunity are crucial for athletes to achieve optimal performance during exercise and maintain their training routine. Adequate carbohydrate intake before exercise helps meet energy demands, while hydration is important during exercise. After exercise, protein is needed for muscle repair and regeneration. A strong immune system is also essential for athletes to prevent illness and injury, which can hinder their sports performance. Therefore, a well-balanced diet with sufficient nutrients and proper hydration is necessary for athletes to achieve their goals and maintain their health.
Propolis is a natural source of antioxidants.
A randomized controlled clinical study published in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition in 2021 evaluated the effects of propolis on oxidative stress, inflammation, body composition, and athletic performance in 54 healthy athletes at AJA University. The study found significant changes in IL-6, total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde plasma levels. The positive effects of propolis consumption in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation caused by intense physical activity were reported.
Royal jelly helps reduce muscle damage.
Royal jelly has been shown to have a protective effect against muscle damage. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted at Lobachevsky University in 2022 evaluated the effects of royal jelly supplementation on high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) performance in swimmers. The study found that swimmers who received royal jelly and coenzyme Q10 supplementation had significantly improved HIIE performance compared to the control group. The scientists concluded that a significant portion of the improvements in swimmers’ performance was due to the reduction in lipid peroxidation and muscle damage caused by the supplementation.
A scientific study at Bharati Vidyapeeth University investigated the impact of pollen supplementation on oxidative stress caused by regular swimming exercise in rats. The study showed that pollen supplementation exhibited a significant antioxidant effect by improving specific enzymes and total protein levels. Due to its high protein and antioxidant content, pollen has also been shown to have a muscle-protective effect. These findings suggest that raw pollen supplementation may be protective in oxidative stress conditions.
In conclusion, bee products are natural food supplements that have the potential to enhance an athlete’s sports performance. Propolis, royal jelly, and pollen can increase energy levels, promote muscle recovery and strengthening, boost the immune system, and support sports performance. Regular and appropriate use of these natural supplements may improve sports performance.
REFERENCES:
Tsuchiya, Y., Hirata, N., Asama, T., Osakabe, N., Hirata, K., & Akagi, R. (2022). Can a Short-term Daily Oral Administration of Propolis Improve Muscle Fatigue and Recovery?. International journal of sports medicine, 43(10), 859–864. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1808-6319
Ovchinnikov, A. N., Paoli, A., Seleznev, V. V., & Deryugina, A. V. (2022). Royal jelly plus coenzyme Q10 supplementation improves high-intensity interval exercise performance via changes in plasmatic and salivary biomarkers of oxidative stress and muscle damage in swimmers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 19(1), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2086015
Ketkar S, Rathore A, Kandhare A, et al. Alleviating exercise-induced muscular stress using neat and processed bee pollen: oxidative markers, mitochondrial enzymes, and myostatin expression in rats. Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):147-160. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.02.003
Soleimani D, Miryan M, Hadi V, et al. Effect of propolis supplementation on athletic performance, body composition, inflammation, and oxidative stress following intense exercise: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial. FoodSci Nutr. 2021;00:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2319
Pyrzanowska, J., Piechal, A., Blecharz-Klin, K., Joniec-Maciejak, I., Graikou, K., Chinou, I., & Widy-Tyszkiewicz, E. (2014). Long-term administration of Greek Royal Jelly improves spatial memory and influences the concentration of brain neurotransmitters in naturally aged Wistar male rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 155(1), 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.05.032
