{
  "abstract": "Nanotechnology, the science of materials engineered at the 1-100 nanometer (nm) scale, is increasingly applied across domains relevant to elite sport, including equipment engineering, wearable biosensing, nanoparticle-based supplementation, photobiomodulation (PBM) nanotechnology, and quantum dot (QD)-enabled diagnostics; however, the aggregate impact of these applications on measurable athletic performance outcomes remains poorly synthesized. This systematic scoping review, conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR, aimed to map and characterize available evidence on nanotechnological applications relevant to athletic and exercise performance across six domains: carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced equipment, nano-antioxidant supplementation, nanoparticle-based nutrient delivery, wearable nanosensors, PBM nanotechnology, and QD-based biosensing. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science (inception to 15 June 2026). Eligibility was assessed through four evidence strata: Stratum 1, RCTs and controlled studies in human participants of any training status (direct controlled human evidence; stratum classification determined by study design; population training status recorded as a separate determinant of interpretive generalizability within the stratum); Stratum 2, observational and experimental studies in healthy humans; Stratum 3, validated animal exercise models (restricted a priori to the nano-supplementation domain); and Stratum 4, subdivided into Stratum 4a (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, narrative/comprehensive reviews) and Stratum 4b (materials science studies). Quality appraisal was performed using study-design-specific tools (RoB 2, NOS, SYRCLE, AMSTAR-2, structured narrative frameworks). No formal GRADE certainty-of-evidence assessment was performed. A total of 28 records met inclusion criteria: 12 primary studies across Strata 1-3 and 16 secondary or contextual records in Stratum 4. Direct controlled human evidence (Strata 1-2) was identified for CNT-based insoles, Taopatch® PBM devices, and CNT motion sensors; animal model evidence (Stratum 3) was consistent for nano-antioxidant strategies; and Stratum 4 provided contextual technical and mechanistic framing. No Stratum 1 study applied QDs to elite athletes in vivo. Nanotechnology demonstrates theoretical and emerging translational potential across several domains relevant to athletic and exercise performance; however, direct evidence of meaningful performance enhancement in trained or elite athletes remains very limited. Adequately powered double-blind RCTs in elite athletes, independent nanomaterial characterization, and prospective protocol registration are required before clinical recommendations can be formulated.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Orthopaedic and Geriatric Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.",
    "Independent Researcher, Fisioterm Rehabilitation Center, 00189 Rome, Italy.",
    "Department of Orthopaedic, Uni-Camillus, International Medical University, 00131 Rome, Italy.",
    "Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy."
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Rocco De Vitis",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9714-1285"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Luca Lombardi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Matteo Guzzini",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4924-5549"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Arturo Militerno"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Giuseppe Taccardo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Marco Passiatore"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dwcxdwfhtnvv3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/jfmk11040416",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13692529",
  "id": "dwcxdwfhtnvv3",
  "issns": [
    "2411-5142"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924695",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2742|Exercise and Physiological Responses"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221617785",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13692529?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13692529",
  "pmid": "42924695",
  "published": "2026-10-13",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dwcxdwfhtnvv3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:33Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42924695",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924695"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2742|Exercise and Physiological Responses",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Applications of Nanotechnology in Athletic and Exercise Performance: A Scoping Review.",
  "title_text": "Applications of Nanotechnology in Athletic and Exercise Performance: A Scoping Review.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:33Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dwcxdwfhtnvv3",
  "venue": "Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology",
  "versions": []
}