Michael Phelps and Novak Djokovic

Since the beginning of the Paris 2024 Olympic GamesI have highlighted the relationship between sport and numerous scientific disciplines. However, throughout the history of sport in general and the Olympics in particular, numerous athletes have promoted Pseudoscientific products and treatments without scientific supportSome people use therapies that are unfounded, while others participate in advertisements for products of dubious efficacy. Both behaviors are irresponsible and can have serious consequences. Although each person is free to make their own decisions as long as they are legal, it is crucial that athletes inform themselves about the real effects of the therapies they use and promote.

Several renowned athletes have publicly admitted to using methods such as Homeopathy, Reiki, Holistic Kinesiology, Urine Therapy and Emotional Therapy to treat their injuries. To date, there is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of these treatments in treating muscle problems. In fact, many of them are considered pseudoscience, both by the scientific community and by various governmental and international agencies. What really helped these athletes recover were the conventional medicine, physical therapy, nutrition and other appropriate treatments they received.

Artistic illustration of a person practicing reiki. Photo: Leonardo.ai / Christian Pérez

Several of these athletes have claimed to feel better after using these therapies, but it is crucial to remember that “correlation does not imply causation.” A clear example is Messi, who used Bach flowersa treatment that is being investigated by the Spanish government. However, his recovery cannot be attributed solely to these flowers. Messi combined their use with rigorous rehabilitation treatments and a balanced diet. He himself has admitted that he used to consume a lot of pizzas and sugary soft drinks. The nutritionists who guided him recommended that he eliminate these ultra-processed products and replace them with fruits, vegetables, water and other healthier foods. As a result, his physical condition improved considerably and he suffered fewer injuries. What really facilitated his recovery were evidence-based medicine, physiotherapy and nutrition.

What really helped these athletes recover was the conventional medicine, physical therapy, nutrition and other appropriate treatments they received.

Some renowned athletes such as Diego Costaseeking quick recoveries to be able to participate in important finals, relied on “miracle doctors” who assured them a quick recovery through the use of mare placentaThis decision proved to be detrimental to his health and to his teams.

Another popular treatment among athletes is cuppingUsed by Michael Phelps at the 2016 Rio Olympics and winner of twenty-eight Olympic medals. This method involves placing heated glass cups on the skin to create a vacuum that supposedly increases energy and blood flow, causing the characteristic bruises. However, science does not support the idea of ​​​​”vital energy flow.” At best, this technique can slightly relieve pain when combined with other treatments, especially in cases of shingles or facial paralysis, but has no impact on improving athletic performance.

Artistic illustration by Michael Phelps. Photo: Leonardo.ai / Christian Pérez

The well-known ones nasal strips The strips used by Contador, Neymar and other athletes are also of no use in professional sport. Although it is true that they help to slightly open the nasal passages, thus facilitating the entry of air when there is congestion, their effectiveness is limited. American researchers have found that these strips can be beneficial for low and medium intensity activities, such as light jogging or cycling at a moderate pace. However, in highly demanding sports, such as elite football, these strips do not improve performance.

Do you remember those? BRACELET that were worn and promoted by famous players such as Kobe Bryant o Cristiano Ronaldo? These bracelets, which contained holograms, promised to improve athletes’ balance, flexibility, strength and general well-being. However, numerous scientific studies have shown that these bracelets offer no real benefits. The company that manufactured them was severely sanctioned for false advertising.

Another product frequently used by footballers are the cinta’s kinesio tapeThese colorful strips, applied to various parts of the body, are popular for injury prevention and recovery. They enjoyed great popularity during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. According to their advertising, these tapes help prevent hyperextensions thanks to their elasticity and improve circulation and tissue drainage. However, scientific evidence does not support these claims. In fact, recent studies have shown that a simple massage offers the same benefits as kinesiotapes. In people with tendonitis or impingement, these tapes do not relieve pain and have no effect on healthy athletes. In addition, using them as a replacement for proven treatments can worsen the injury.

He seawater It is a product that is gaining popularity among footballers and which I find quite worrying. Many athletes use it believing that it replaces minerals lost through sweat, but this belief is wrong. When we ingest sea water, our body is forced to process the excess minerals. How does it do this? The kidneys work hard to filter the liquid and eliminate excess sodium through urine. This process involves the elimination of a large amount of water, which increases the risk of dehydration and can cause problems such as heart rate disturbances, nausea, weakness and even delirium. In short, consuming sea water is not only pointless, it can also be harmful.

But if I had to choose an athlete who is known for endorsing therapies without scientific basis, he is, without a doubt, the best tennis player of all time and the recent winner of the Olympic gold medal, Novak DjokovicThe Serbian tennis player not only has refused vaccinesrefusing to take the COVID-19 test, but has argued that his pulmonologist believes in a ‘lion gene’ in Serbians that would protect them from the virus. During the pandemic, Djokovic also organised tennis tournaments without safety measures, resulting in serious consequences.

Surprisingly, the tennis player has stated that “through the power of gratitude, one can transform most toxic foodor the most polluted waterin the most healing, since water reacts and scientists have shown that water molecules react to our emotions.” No comments.

If I had to choose an athlete who is known for endorsing therapies without scientific basis, it would undoubtedly be Novak Djokovic.

Another of the methods promoted by Djokovic is the moxicocombustiona procedure that uses sheets of Artemisia vulgaris dried, crushed and pulverized. Its proponents claim that this technique balances the organs and stimulates the “flow of vital energy.” However, not only does the scientific community reject this practice, but the Spanish government is also conducting research into moxicocombustion.

In other news, Novak Djokovic is a fervent defender of the gluten free dietswhich are essential only for those who really have a gluten intolerance, as long as it has been properly diagnosed. However, the Serbian tennis player’s team carried out their own diagnosis by placing a piece of bread on his stomach and observing the reaction on his arm, a method that is not only ridiculous, but can also be dangerous for those who try to imitate it.

Jose Manuel Lopez Nicolas

During the recent Roland Garros, Djokovic caused a stir by using a curious patch on his chest with a small chip in the center. When asked, the tennis player said that this device was the biggest secret of his career, that it was based on nanotechnology and that without it he couldn’t play, assuring that since he uses it he feels like Iron-Man. Investigating on the website of the company that sells this expensive product, I found that they promote the patch as something that “nourishes the body with therapeutic light wavelengths, without side effects or chemical release. It can be used daily, it is recharged with sunlight and body heat, offering 720 hours of treatments each month.” In addition, they claim that it can improve the symmetry of the pelvis and lower extremities, activate the body, improve balance, concentration and speed up post-workout recovery. However, I have not found scientific support to validate these claims.

Pseudoscience at the Olympic Games. Artistic illustration. Photo: Leonardo.ai / Christian Pérez

Dear readers of Very interesting, The use of therapies without scientific basis by renowned athletes is extremely worrying. Firstly, these practices do not contribute to improving your sporting performance. Secondly, they represent a serious risk to your health. However, what alarms me most is the influence that these decisions have on society, where millions of followers, including many children and adolescents, replicate these behaviors. In conclusion, and as I always repeat, never forget that “The best thing that can happen to you with pseudoscience is that you get scammed. The worst thing is that, in addition to being scammed, you get killed.”

This article belongs to the series “Science of the Olympic Games” — “Olympic Science”, by José Manuel López Nicolás