NCSF Sport Nutrition Specialist Certification Practice Test – Complete Exam Prep

The term "ergolytic compound" specifically refers to a substance that negatively impacts athletic performance, leading to reduced efficiency, increased fatigue, or other detriments to performance outcomes. This term comes from the Greek "ergo," meaning work, and "lytic," meaning to break down or reduce. Therefore, ergolytic compounds are those that can diminish the capacity to perform optimally, which is crucial knowledge for anyone studying sport nutrition and performance.

In contrast, ergogenic compounds are substances that enhance physical performance, while performance enhancers are typically associated with those that improve abilities in some capacity. Energy supplements, on the other hand, are often designed to increase energy availability and stamina. Understanding the distinction between these terms helps clarify the various influences different substances can have on athletic performance.