Ivanova Stanislava, Dzhakova Zoya, Gvozdeva Yana, Petkova Gergana, Ivanova Albena, Dzhambazova Elizabet
Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Molecules. 2025 Sep 17;30(18):3771. doi: 10.3390/molecules30183771.
Recent clinical studies and scientific literature increasingly support the use of essential oils (EOs) as adjuncts in enhancing sports performance and recovery. They have demonstrated potential in modulating mood, alleviating fatigue, facilitating muscle recovery, and contributing to the overall physiological and psychological well-being of athletes. Specifically, EOs such as peppermint and eucalyptus exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making them beneficial for managing exercise-induced muscle soreness and discomfort. Conversely, oils like lavender are recognized for their anxiolytic and sedative effects, which may improve sleep quality and promote relaxation. But both are essential for effective post-exercise recovery. As such, their strategic application may represent a valuable, complementary approach within the broader context of sports medicine and athletic training. Although EOs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine of various cultures to support physical performance, scientific research in the field of sports medicine remains still limited. Preliminary findings suggest promising effects on fatigue reduction, sleep, sympathetic activity, and endurance improvement. However, results are inconsistent, with some studies even showing no significant differences compared to placebo. Further rigorous research is needed to establish the efficacy and mechanisms of EOs in athletic settings.
最近的临床研究和科学文献越来越支持使用精油（EOs）作为增强运动表现和促进恢复的辅助手段。它们在调节情绪、减轻疲劳、促进肌肉恢复以及对运动员整体生理和心理健康方面已显示出潜力。具体而言，薄荷和桉树等精油具有止痛和抗炎特性，有助于缓解运动引起的肌肉酸痛和不适。相反，薰衣草等精油因其抗焦虑和镇静作用而闻名，这可能改善睡眠质量并促进放松。但这两者对有效的运动后恢复都至关重要。因此，在运动医学和运动训练的更广泛背景下，它们的策略性应用可能是一种有价值的补充方法。尽管精油在各种文化的传统医学中已使用了数百年以支持身体表现，但运动医学领域的科学研究仍然有限。初步研究结果表明，精油对减轻疲劳、睡眠、交感神经活动和提高耐力有显著效果。然而，结果并不一致，一些研究甚至表明与安慰剂相比没有显著差异。需要进一步进行严格的研究来确定精油在运动环境中的功效和作用机制。
