[Performance food in sports].

Performance food in sports is mainly represented by macronutrients and additional nutritional food components. Performance food is often used in sports as so-called ergogenic aids, which are believed to increase exercise capacity, delay fatigue, or enhance the response to training via different mechanisms. Nevertheless, beneficial effects of only a few of these substances is supported by clear scientific evidence. However, a sound scientific base is lacking for most ergogenic aids, and their intake cannot be recommended. This article focuses on some of the most popular macronutrients and nutritional food components which are consumed with the goal of enhancing performance. Some have been shown to exert a positive impact on exercise capacity under specific conditions, or in connection with an optimal timing of ingestion in context with training. Nevertheless, additional research is required to clarify the role of the different performance foods in increasing exercise capacity before more detailed recommendations are possible.