Common Errors in Sports Nutrition Meta-Analyses Lead to Distortion of Pooled Effect Estimates. Comment on Viribay et al. Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. <i>Nutrients</i> 2020, <i>12,</i> 1300.

Viribay and colleagues published a meta-analysis called "Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" in Nutrients in May of 2020. This meta-analysis sought to quantify the effects of arginine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic performance outcomes. In the course of conducting this analysis, the researchers made multiple errors that are common among meta-analyses in the field of sports nutrition. This comment discusses how these issues impact the results and interpretation of the paper, and how individuals who are interpreting or conducting sports nutrition meta-analyses in the future can identify or avoid similar errors.

Duke Scholars

Author Eric Trexler Health, Wellness, and Physical Education