ABSTRACT
Micronutrients include dietary compounds that are normally found in or required by the body in minor quantities. This chapter explores the effects of micronutrients on exercise and sports performance. B vitamins are a class of structurally different compounds utilized as enzyme cofactors in human intermediary metabolism. Supplementation with mixtures of B-complex vitamins has yielded ambiguous results on human physical performance. If no deficiencies exist, low to moderate doses of supplemental B vitamins do not appear to enhance performance, and high doses of niacin may reduce performance. The chapter presents a summary of results of vitamin C supplementation and human physical performance. Retinol (vitamin A) is vital for epithelial cell function. It has been hypothesized that deficiencies in vitamin A may adversely affect sports that require visual acuity. Menadione (vitamin K) is involved in formation of blood clotting proteins and osteocalcin, important for bone health.
