Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium (ATP) is sometimes marketed as an athletic and exercise aid based on its central role as the primary energy carrier in cells. The rationale is that supplementing with ATP may enhance muscle energy availability, delay fatigue, and improve exercise performance. However, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited and mixed.

Some small studies have investigated oral and intravenous ATP supplementation in athletes. Oral ATP is largely broken down in the gut, resulting in poor bioavailability. A few clinical trials have shown modest improvements in strength, power output, or recovery when ATP is taken orally or intravenously, but these results have not been consistently replicated, and the improvements, when present, are usually small. A 2017 review in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that oral ATP supplementation may have modest beneficial effects on muscular performance, particularly in individuals with lower baseline ATP levels, but more rigorous research is needed.

Overall, while the theoretical basis for ATP as an exercise aid is strong due to its biochemical function, direct evidence in humans is limited and inconsistent. The effect size is generally small, and long-term safety data are lacking. Therefore, ATP supplementation for athletic or exercise enhancement is supported by scientific rationale but only weak clinical evidence, warranting a low (2/5) rating.

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