The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review

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#humans #soccer #melatonin #oxidative-stress #dietary-supplements

The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review

Almendros-Ruiz et al., 2023 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Almendros-Ruiz Antonio, Lopez-Moro Alejandro, ... Mariscal-Arcas Miguel. The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2023-Oct-21;15(20). doi:10.3390/nu15204467

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a hormone that has shown anti-inflammatory actions, reduced oxidative stress, and has effects on physical performance, so the aim of this study was to review the effects of melatonin supplementation on the performance of professional soccer players. METHODS: Critical and systematic review. Data were obtained by performing searches in the following bibliographic databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The terms used were "Soccer Athlete", "Melatonin", and "Soccer Performance", using "Humans" as a filter. The search update was in May 2023. RESULTS: Having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were selected out of 59 retrieved references. The dose of melatonin administered in the studies ranged between 5 and 8 mg. The outcomes showed a decrease in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammatory markers in the melatonin-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenously administered melatonin seems to attenuate some of the effects derived from physical exercise, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage, in professional football players, and since it has no potential adverse effects, it could be interesting to apply it in this population. However, the direct effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance have not been demonstrated, so more research is needed on the intervention period and effective dose and with larger participant populations.

Key Findings

Having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were selected out of 59 retrieved references. The dose of melatonin administered in the studies ranged between 5 and 8 mg. The outcomes showed a decrease in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammatory markers in the melatonin-treated group.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Soccer
  • Melatonin
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: melatonin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09