Science AI Journal
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Research topic

Open research questions in Muscle metabolism and nutrition

67 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 513 Muscle metabolism and nutrition papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Athletes with SIBO who implemented a 48-h HC-LFOD diet reported reduced incidence and severity of Ex-GIS, which may have favourable performance implications, warranting further investigation.

    The impact of a 48-h high-carbohydrate low-fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharide and polyol diet in athletes with concurrent exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms and detected small intestinal bacterial overgrowth · 2026 · DOI

  • Another methodological issue is the lack of standardization of participants’ training and diet. In patients with neurological or metabolic disorders, study results are often inconclusive, and the observation periods are frequently too short to assess the actual impact of Creatine supplementation on disease progression (10).

    Creatine Supplementation in Sport and Medicine: Efficacy, Safety, and Therapeutic Potential in the Light of Current Scientific Evidence · 2026 · DOI

  • Although many of the peri-operative principles discussed are supported by evidence from general surgical populations, relatively few studies have specifically evaluated elite female athletes undergoing gynaecological procedures. While extrapolation sports medicine A recurring theme throughout this review is the substantial gap between the increasing participation of women in elite sport and the limited evidence available to guide their surgical care.

    Optimising gynaecological surgical care for elite female athletes: a narrative review · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies should consider sampling at multiple time points, a more detailed analysis of individual physiological responses, and a comparison of different loading strategies to further clarify the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation in combat sports such as wrestling.

    The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Wrestling-Specific Performance and Fatigue Markers · 2026 · DOI

  • https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a029710 effect of Durkalec-Michalski, K., Zawieja, E. E., Podgórski, T., Łoniewski, I., Zawieja, B. E., Warzybok, M., & Jeszka, J. (2018).

    The Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Wrestling-Specific Performance and Fatigue Markers · 2026 · DOI

  • In the literature, limited research has examined team athletes’ intake of energy and macro/micronutrients specifically during training and match days, and even fewer studies have reported on actual food or beverage preferences (Anderson et al. , 2016) research focusing on basketball players remains scarce. Therefore, while the hypothesis was partially accepted, the overall dietary inadequacy observed in both groups warrants further attention.

    Comparison of Nutrient Intake and Dietary Habits Between Professional and Amateur Basketball Players · 2026 · DOI

  • The very serious inconsis- tency observed across studies, reflected in substantial heterogeneity, suggests that the actual effect of creatine on triglyceride levels could vary widely depending on population characteristics, dosing strate- gies, or lifestyle factors not uniformly controlled. Taken together, the GRADE findings indicate that creatine should not be viewed as a lipid-modifying supplement and highlight impor- tant gaps in the literature where further research is clearly needed.

    Does creatine affect lipid profile? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials · 2026 · DOI

  • Conversely, while animal models consistently demonstrated SCFA-driven endurance gains, associated with metabolic signaling activation and glycogen sparing, these specific effects remain to be reliably translated to human athletes.

    Prebiotic Modulation of the Gut-Muscle Axis and Moderate Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • However, limited research has examined the metabolic and performance-related consequences of a 48-hour fasting period followed by a 24-hour recovery phase in combat sports athletes.

    The Effects of a 48-Hour Fasting Period on Metabolic Markers During Exercise and Recovery in Male Combat Sports Athletes · 2026 · DOI

  • Energy provision alone is insufficient to prevent muscle loss when EAA availability is inadequate, while high protein intake without sufficient energy fails to sustain anabolism due to anabolic resistance.

    Amino Acids as Metabokines in Hypercatabolic States: Rethinking Nutritional Protein-Based Strategies Beyond Caloric Support · 2026 · DOI

  • 73% of the participants spoke to their coach about their MC, but typically this was limited to a note on their training programme that they started their period, or a brief mention of how they are feeling.

    Female cyclists perceived effects and experiences of the menstrual cycle on training and performance · 2026 · DOI

  • investigations ultra-endurance Due to the small sample size in this study, its findings should be considered exploratory in nature. Though this research offers valuable insight into the individual experiences of athletes participating in such unique and challenging events, they are not generalisable to the broader ultra-marathon running or ultra-endurance sports populations. Nonetheless, the results of this study may be used to guide and inform the focus of future qualitative runners’ into experiences. To develop a more comprehensive understanding of the shared experiences and common challenges throughout the majority of this population, future research should aim to include larger sample sizes. Additional limitations include the interviews, which, although relatively conducted at multiple timepoints, may have limited the depth of some responses. The study also relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias. implemented Furthermore, while throughout the research process, the potential influence of researcher interpretation cannot be entirely eliminated. As with qualitative research, the findings are not intended to be generalisable but may offer transferable insights to similar ultraendurance populations and contexts.

    Nutrition practices and race experiences of ultra-marathon athletes in the marathon des sables, a qualitative analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The study aimed to address the complex relationship between microbiome composition, athletic performance, and personalized nutrition by introducing the Integrative Microbiome Athletic Performance Optimization Network (IMAPON). This framework integrates microbiome data, athletic performance information to metrics, and demographic and physiological generate personalized dietary recommendations. The IMAPON system is built upon three core modules: the Microbiome Feature Extraction Module (MFEM), the Athletic Performance Prediction Module (APPM), and the Personalized Dietary (PDRM).

    Integrative AI driven microbiome analysis for optimizing sports nutrition and enhancing athletic performance through personalized dietary interventions · 2026 · DOI

  • systematic review of 37 observational studies examined habitual micronutrient intake in more than 28,000 older adults (≥65 years) living independently in Western countries, with the aim of identifying the prevalence of inadequate intakes using the EAR cutoff method (46). Six micronutrients with a high prevalence of deficiency were identified: vitamin D (more than 84% of men and 91% of women), thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, and selenium, highlighting these nutrients as priorities for public health interventions. Factors such as bioavailability, suboptimal in dietary assessment methods, supplement use, and variability among nutritional recommendations affect the interpretation of these findings. Vitamin D emerges as particularly critical, despite fortification and supplementation, due to its relevance to bone, muscle, and possibly cognitive health. Likewise, deficiencies in calcium and magnesium have been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia, while B vitamins and certain antioxidants (selenium, vitamins A, C) often show inadequate intakes levels that may increase the risk of frailty, anemia and chronic diseases. Although supplement use is common, especially among older women, many individuals still fail to meet nutritional requirements (42). Barriers to meeting the nutritional needs of older adults may include difficulties with food access and preparation (27). Importantly, nutritional counseling interventions that promote active engagement and individualized dietary guidance have shown promise in improving nutrition-related outcomes (47).

    The role of protein quality and amino acid composition in preventing sarcopenia and functional decline in older adults · 2026 · DOI

  • Despite the promising conceptual value of AI-driven digital twin frameworks in Taekwondo, several limitations should be acknowl- edged. First, this work is based on a narrative review approach rather than a systematic review or meta-analysis, which may limit the com- prehensiveness of evidence coverage and does not allow for quantita- tive synthesis of outcomes. Second, empirical research validating digital twin applications specifically within elite Taekwondo environ- ments remains scarce, with most available studies being theoretical or derived from broader combat sport or health-related contexts. Additionally, the heterogeneity of methodologies, wearable technolo- gies, biomarker assessments, and psychological measurement tools across studies makes it difficult to establish standardized protocols for implementation. Therefore, conclusions should be interpreted as a conceptual foundation that requires further experimental validation and sport-specific refinement.

    Digital twin for Taekwondo athletes: integrating sports nutrition and psychological readiness using artificial intelligence · 2026 · DOI

  • The modeling presented incorporates data only through January 2020 and does not capture advancements in measurement technologies or updated methodological standards that emerged after this date. A prospective gap exists to identify and integrate any new technologies (e.g., improved portable spectroscopy, wearable metabolic sensors) or refined indirect estimation equations published since 2020 that could enhance anaerobic energy system quantification.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • The review's modeling estimates represent averaged trends rather than precise predictions because they synthesize across diverse protocols and methods, with particular uncertainty in short-duration trials (< 20s) where small methodological discrepancies produce large proportional effects on calculated anaerobic contributions. Future work should develop duration-specific calibration studies using identical protocols and direct measurement techniques (e.g., 31P-MRS) at 6s, 10s, 15s, 30s, and 60s timepoints to refine the crossover point and relative contributions.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • Substantial methodological heterogeneity existed across the 102 included studies in exercise protocols (mode, duration, pacing strategy, intensity), sample characteristics (training status, sex distribution, athletic background), and estimation methods for oxygen demand, mechanical efficiency, PCr availability, and fast-component EPOC. Future systematic reviews should establish and enforce standardized protocols for duration ranges (e.g., 6–10s, 15–30s, 45–120s bins), identical pacing patterns (all-out vs. even-pace), and matched athlete cohorts to reduce protocol-driven variance.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • The nonlinear regression model produced prediction error of approximately 12–14% when synthesizing mean values across diverse exercise modes, pacing strategies, and training statuses. Future research must develop mode-specific and population-specific models (e.g., separate anaerobic–aerobic contribution curves for repeated sprint cycling vs. rowing vs. running in elite vs. recreational athletes) to reduce extrapolation uncertainty.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • Studies have predominantly employed small-muscle-group invasive measurements (single-leg knee extension, plantar flexion, supine cycling), but extrapolation of this localized physiology to dynamic, multi-joint whole-body maximal exercise tasks remains problematic. Future work should apply 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy directly to whole-body activities (e.g., running sprints, cycling all-out efforts) rather than single-joint protocols to validate ATP–PCr kinetics scaling.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • The absence of a gold standard for assessing anaerobic energy release in whole-body maximal exercise means that oxygen deficit, mixed metabolite-based techniques, and theoretical modeling approaches rely on different assumptions. Future research should directly compare these three indirect methods (oxygen deficit vs. lactate-based vs. modeling approaches) using standardized protocols to quantify how methodological choice affects anaerobic contribution estimates.

    Anaerobic and Aerobic Energy System Contribution During Maximal Exercise: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • Strengths This systematic review has several notable strengths. First, the study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and employed a transparent, predefined search strategy across multiple databases, thereby enhancing methodological rigor and reproducibility.

    Plant-derived alginate polysaccharide hydrogels in sport and exercise nutrition: implications for carbohydrate metabolism, gastrointestinal integrity, exercise recovery, and athletic performance · 2026 · DOI

  • Several limitations of the current evidence base should be acknowledged. Most included studies were characterized by small sample sizes, typically involving fewer than 15 participants, which limits statistical power and increases the risk of type II error. Study populations were predominantly male, which restricts the generalizability of findings to female athletes, who may dier in gastrointestinal function, substrate utilization, and hormonal responses during exercise. The underrepresentation of female participants warrants more detailed consideration. Sex-specific physiological factors, including dierences in gastric emptying rates, intestinal permeability, and substrate metabolism, may meaningfully influence the absorption and tolerance of carbohydrate hydrogels. Moreover, hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, particularly variations in estrogen and progesterone, can alter gastrointestinal motility, fuel selection, and perceived exertion. These factors could modify both the metabolic and gastrointestinal responses to alginate- or pectin- based carbohydrate ingestion. Consequently, the predominance of male participants limits the external validity of the current evidence base, underscoring the need for future trials to incorporate sex- balanced recruitment, menstrual phase tracking, and dedicated analyses of female-specific responses. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies in terms of exercise modality, duration, intensity, environmental conditions, carbohydrate dose, and hydrogel formulation. Outcome measures also varied widely, encompassing metabolic tracer-derived oxidation rates, subjective gastrointestinal symptom scores, and dierent performance tests. This heterogeneity precluded formal meta-analysis and limited direct quantitative comparisons between studies. In addition, many trials recruited recreationally trained or sub-elite participants, with relatively few studies involving elite endurance athletes operating at very high absolute workloads. As a result, the contexts in which hydrogel-based carbohydrate strategies are hypothesized to oer the most significant benefit, such as prolonged competition with extreme carbohydrate intake demands, remain underrepresented. Recovery-related outcomes were also sparsely investigated and were often limited to short post- exercise time frames, relying primarily on biochemical markers rather than functional measures of recovery. Recovery-related outcomes are another area of limitation. Most studies employed only short-term biochemical markers, such as muscle glycogen content, plasma cytokines, or creatine kinase activity, to infer recovery, providing limited insight into real-world, and functional restoration of performance. Functional recovery outcomes, such as subsequent exercise capacity, time-trial performance, or perceived readiness, were rarely assessed. Accordingly, the ecological validity of existing recovery data remains low. Future research should incorporate multi-day, integrative designs that simultaneously evaluate biochemical, perceptual, and performance-based measures to better understand how hydrogel ingestion influences recovery in practical athletic contexts. Finally, inter-individual variability, sex-specific responses, and potential adaptations to repeated hydrogel use have not been systematically examined. These gaps highlight the need for larger, more diverse, and methodologically standardized trials to define better the role of alginate-based carbohydrate hydrogels in endurance exercise nutrition. A further consideration concerns potential commercial and industry-related bias. Alginate-based carbohydrate hydrogel formulations are increasingly commercialized as proprietary products, and several included trials relied on manufacturer-supplied supplements or partial industry sponsorship. Although most authors declared no conflicts of interest, commercial involvement may subtly aect study design, comparator choice, or interpretation, favoring positive outcomes. Publication bias may also amplify beneficial findings in industry-supported research. Consequently, independent replication under investigator-initiated conditions, transparent funding disclosure, preregistration, and open data availability are recommended to safeguard neutrality and maintain scientific integrity in this evolving research domain.

    Plant-derived alginate polysaccharide hydrogels in sport and exercise nutrition: implications for carbohydrate metabolism, gastrointestinal integrity, exercise recovery, and athletic performance · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper notes that adolescent bodies are more efficient at absorbing minerals and less efficient at detoxifying heavy metals than adult bodies but does not quantify age-specific differences in metal absorption rates or detoxification kinetics. Comparative pharmacokinetic studies measuring blood and urine heavy metal concentrations following controlled protein supplement dosing in adolescents (ages 13-18) versus adults (ages 20-30) would establish developmental vulnerability profiles.

    The Effects of Protein Supplement Intake in Adolescents - Impact on Health and Development · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper recommends harm-reduction clinical approaches for adolescents using protein supplements but does not provide tested intervention protocols or outcome metrics. Randomized controlled trials comparing clinic-based screening plus counseling (targeting body image, supplement use, compulsive exercise) versus standard care in adolescent athletes are needed to establish efficacy and determine which psychological constructs most effectively reduce supplement use escalation.

    The Effects of Protein Supplement Intake in Adolescents - Impact on Health and Development · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Muscle metabolism and nutrition

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own Muscle metabolism and nutrition sub-topic

This page shows what the Muscle metabolism and nutrition literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, run the guided finder — it searches the gap library on demand and checks candidates against 250M+ OpenAlex works.

Open the Research Gap Finder →

Related topics in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Gut microbiota and health
289 open questions
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
185 open questions
dental development and anomalies
121 open questions
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
110 open questions
Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
106 open questions
Human-Animal Interaction Studies
105 open questions
Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
97 open questions
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
91 open questions
67 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 513 Muscle metabolism and nutrition papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

Tools for your next paper

Gaps & Literature SearchFind open questions in any field — 120,000+ open gaps mined from our own library.Pre-CheckIs your paper ready? A Tier 1–5 acceptance probability in seconds.Journal FinderA ranked shortlist of target journals from a 17,500-venue index.Duplicate Publication CheckerCheck prior-publication & salami-slicing risk across 8 sources.Citation GeneratorFreeA DOI or title → APA, MLA, Vancouver, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS. No signup.Graphical Abstract MakerFreeTurn your findings into a colorblind-safe graphical abstract.

Compare the category — Honest roundups of the AI research tools, ours listed alongside the alternatives.

Command palette

Jump anywhere, run any action.