ANTRENMANLARDA UYGULANAN MELATONIN TAKVIYESININ ATLETIK PERFORMANS VE BÜYÜME HORMONU ÜZERINE ETKISI

Although melatonin is primarily known to regulate sleep and circadian rhythms, recent research has explored its use during athletic training. Studies have examined how melatonin supplementation may influence athletic performance by focusing on its interaction with growth hormones (GH). GH is a key hormone in muscle development, fat metabolism, and recovery, making it a critical marker of athletic performance. Consequently, the relationship between melatonin supplementation and GH has attracted increasing interest among coaches, sports scientists, and health professionals.However, most studies investigating this relationship have been conducted in animals, with limited research involving human participants. However, the specific effects of melatonin supplementation on human GH levels remain unclear. This review aimed to systematically examine the existing literature on melatonin use during training and its potential impact on GH levels, providing directions for future research.The data for this study were collected through a systematic search of academic databases using relevant keywords. These results indicate that melatonin supplementation during training may increase, decrease, or have no significant effect on GH levels or athletic performance. Therefore, the findings remain inconclusive. Further research is necessary to clarify the effects of melatonin, considering individual variability. However, despite the inconsistency of findings, a synthesis of the evidence suggests that melatonin supplementation tends to offer more potential benefits than harms when used appropriately. These benefits are particularly related to improved recovery, sleep quality, and hormonal regulation all of which may indirectly support athletic performance.In conclusion, while more human-based and controlled studies are needed, melatonin appears to be a conditionally effective supplement, especially in athletes with sleep disturbances or high oxidative stress.