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Comparative Effects of Dietary Protein, Creatine, and Omega-3 Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Endurance, and Recovery in Trained Athletes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Ziyu Wang, Gang Qin, Byung-Min Kim
Nutrients 2026 18(6):909

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 41901084
PubMed Central
PMC13029179
DOI
10.3390/nu18060909
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Competing interests
Authors declared no competing interests.

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
ModelHuman
Sample35 trials; 1,211 participants
InterventionCreatine, dietary protein or omega-3 supplementation versus control and indirect network comparisons
DurationVaried by included trial
EndpointsMuscle strength; Endurance performance; Recovery outcomes

What the study showed, in plain terms

2026 network meta-analysis comparing creatine with other common sports-nutrition interventions across strength, endurance and recovery domains.

Key findings

Creatine showed the largest pooled strength effect in the network; protein ranked highest for endurance and omega-3 for recovery. Indirect rankings should not be treated as head-to-head proof of product superiority.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Network meta-analysis combines direct and indirect comparisons across heterogeneous interventions and trials; SUCRA rankings can overstate certainty when evidence networks are sparse or clinically diverse.

Citation network

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Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction