Résumé
As external influences, ergogenic aids can positively affect locomotor, physiological and psychological functions in human. Ergogenic aids may remove some constraints, which impact performance and related fatigue, and increase the speed of recovery from training and competition. Are ergogenic aids really helpful? This chapter presents research-supported evidence of four types of ergogenic aids commonly used by experienced and recreational exercisers during training. First, physiological (energy expenditure and locomotor-respiratory coupling) and biomechanical (muscle activation and kimematics patterns) benefits of poles during walking practice are discussed. Recent findings suggest that adapting differently breathing and mechanics of locomotion with the use of poles may alleviate increased exertion and muscle fatigue during walking. Then, compression garments in aiding recovery (stockings) and preventing fatigue (sleeves) are described in two case studies. Second, music as a psychophysiological ergogenic aid is shown to be effective during aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The music would help runners to maintain an efficient and regular running rhythm, and allow them to distract from the negative bodily sensations associated with fatigue and to tolerate better the training load as studied during an 8-week training period. Finally, two nutritional aids (branched chain amino acid and minerals supplement) for enhancing performance and delaying fatigue are presented and studied. Significant evidence indicates various positive benefits during aerobic and anaerobic exercises of branched chain amino acid for athletes. As well ingestion of minerals supplement studied during three weeks of training for alkalinization purpose in rugby players allow them to decrease acid loads and increase anaerobic performance. Overall, the effectiveness of the mechanical (equipment), psychophysiological (music) and nutritional (supplementation) ergonegic aids presented in this review suggests that it can help. These new ways to improve the quality and quantity of athletes' training need however to be further studied.