Feature Request: Evidence-Based Sports Nutrition Module (Protein, Creatine, Recovery Protocols)

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🔬 Evidence-Based Sports Nutrition Features — Informed by ClinicalTrials.gov Research Landscape

Background

A systematic review of active and recently completed trials on ClinicalTrials.gov (54 interventional studies across sports nutrition, protein supplementation, creatine, and endurance recovery) reveals a clear and consistent evidence base that wger could translate into actionable, user-facing features. The key findings:

Trial Landscape Summary (54 studies):

Dimension	Breakdown
By Phase	43 Phase N/A (pragmatic supplement trials), 9 Phase 3, 6 Phase 2, 1 Unknown
By Status	35 Completed ✅, 9 Recruiting 🟡, 2 Active-not-recruiting, 1 Not yet recruiting
By Sponsor	46 Academic/Other, 5 Industry, 2 Network, 1 Government

The dominance of academic sponsors (85%) and Phase N/A trials signals a mature, real-world evidence base — these are not early-phase drug trials but established nutritional protocols ready for practical implementation.

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🥩 1. Protein Supplementation Tracker with Source Differentiation

Evidence: Multiple completed trials directly compare plant-based vs. animal-based protein (whey, soy) in athletes:

• NCT07571720 — Plant vs. Animal Protein in Youth Soccer Players (body composition outcomes)
• NCT05228236 — Plant-Based Protein vs. Whey: Effects on Body Composition and Performance
• NCT03753321 — Whey and Soy Protein in Football Players (muscle damage recovery)
• NCT07488273 — Whey Protein & Serum Mineral Status in Elite Endurance/Power Athletes

Proposed Features:

• Add a protein source tag to nutrition log entries (e.g., Whey, Soy, Pea, Casein, Egg, Mixed)
• Display a daily protein distribution chart showing timing relative to workouts (pre/intra/post)
• Add a leucine threshold indicator — trials highlight ~2–3g leucine per meal as the muscle protein synthesis trigger; flag meals that meet or miss this threshold
• Support protein quality scoring (DIAAS/PDCAAS) alongside raw gram tracking for logged ingredients

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⚡ 2. Creatine Supplementation Protocol Wizard

Evidence: Several active/completed trials focus on creatine timing, dosing, and population-specific effects:

• NCT06937190 — Pre-Sleep Creatine Enhances Anaerobic Power in Recreationally Active Females (currently recruiting)
• NCT05951439 — Creatine + HMB Supplementation in Physically Active Older Adults

Proposed Features:

• Add a Creatine Protocol section under Supplements (in the Nutrition module) with:
  • Loading phase toggle (20g/day ÷ 4 doses × 5–7 days)
  • Maintenance phase dose reminder (3–5g/day)
  • Timing recommendation tied to workout log: flag pre-sleep vs. post-workout dosing options based on emerging evidence
• Track creatine intake streaks and flag missed doses
• Optional: HMB co-supplementation tracking (evidence from NCT05951439 supports creatine+HMB stacking for muscle preservation)

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🏃 3. Endurance Recovery Nutrition Dashboard

Evidence: Completed trials on post-exercise recovery nutrition and biomarker monitoring:

• NCT06043492 — Recovery Following Acute Endurance Training (HIIT vs. continuous running)
• NCT03083509 (GlaxoSmithKline) — Physiological Profile of Recovery from Resistance, Endurance & Mixed Exercise
• NCT06365320 — Training Load, Lactate & Metabolomics (metabolomic profiling of recovery)

Proposed Features:

• Add a Recovery Nutrition Window prompt: after logging a cardio/endurance session, prompt the user to log a recovery meal within a configurable window (default: 30–45 min post-session)
• Display a carbohydrate-to-protein ratio indicator for recovery meals (evidence supports ~3:1 to 4:1 CHO:PRO for glycogen replenishment)
• Add a hydration + electrolyte tracking field to nutrition logs (sodium, potassium, magnesium) — critical for endurance athletes per metabolomics trial data

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🦠 4. Gut Health & Probiotic Supplement Tracking

Evidence:

• NCT06220110 — Probiotic Supplementation on Sport Performance and Gut Damage in Females (completed, University of Basque Country)

Proposed Features:

• Add Probiotic as a supplement category with strain-level logging (e.g., L. acidophilus, B. longum)
• Track gut-health proxy metrics (subjective GI comfort score, 1–5) alongside training logs to surface correlations over time

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📊 5. Wearable & CGM Data Integration

Evidence:

• NCT06630637 — Monitoring Intermittent Fasting with Wearable Technology (CGM, digital dynamometer, Airofit, Generative AI integration)

Proposed Features:

• Add a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) data import endpoint to the REST API — allow users to overlay glucose response curves against meal and workout logs
• Expose a /api/v2/glucose/ endpoint accepting CGM exports (e.g., Dexcom, Libre CSV format)
• Display a Glucose-Ketone Index (GKI) calculator in the nutrition dashboard for users following ketogenic or fasting protocols

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🌿 6. Emerging Adaptogen & Botanical Supplement Logging

Evidence: Several completed trials explore botanical ergogenic aids:

• NCT07239960 — Rhodiola Rosea in Basketball Players (fatigue & performance, Beijing Sport University)
• NCT07082985 — Maca Supplementation in Badminton Players (China Medical University Hospital)
• NCT06043089 — Beetroot Supplementation in Athletes

Proposed Features:

• Expand the Supplements module to include a curated list of evidence-tracked botanicals: Rhodiola rosea, Maca, Beetroot/nitrate, Ashwagandha
• For each, link to a brief evidence summary (e.g., "2 completed RCTs in athletes; mixed results on VO₂max")
• Allow users to log dose + subjective performance rating to build personal N=1 response data

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🔗 Technical Integration Notes

• All features should extend the existing REST API (/api/v2/) for compatibility with the Flutter mobile app
• Supplement tracking could reuse/extend the existing nutritionplan and meal data models
• CGM/wearable integration could leverage the existing measurement module pattern
• Consider adding an evidence level badge (A/B/C) to supplement entries using a community-maintained metadata layer

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References (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT IDs)

NCT07571720 · NCT05228236 · NCT03753321 · NCT07488273 · NCT06937190 · NCT05951439 · NCT06043492 · NCT03083509 · NCT06365320 · NCT06630637 · NCT06220110 · NCT07239960 · NCT07082985 · NCT06043089

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This issue was generated based on a systematic analysis of 54 interventional sports nutrition trials on ClinicalTrials.gov (as of June 2026), with the goal of grounding wger feature development in peer-reviewed, trial-tested nutritional science.