ABSTRACT
Elite figure skaters, like all amateur sports, are submitted to anti-doping rules and regulations, and have to be very well informed and aware of the risks related to sport supplements. Any supplement or ergogenic aid should be certified by a third party to ensure the purity and the safety of the product. Caffeine could have beneficial effects both in training and competition by reducing the perception of effort and fatigue, especially during high-volume training periods and when traveling and adapting to jet lag. The main purpose of taking dietary nitrates as a supplement is to reduce the oxygen cost of submaximal exercise and enhance tolerance to high intensity work, which can improve performance. The efficacy of chronic beta-alanine supplementation has been demonstrated to improve exercise capacity and performance when there is a high contribution from the anaerobic energy system and increased muscle acidosis. Probiotics should be taken in combination with a diversified and nutritious diet, rich in prebiotics.
