Key Takeaway
Systematic review of RCTs found NMN supplementation consistently improved physical performance measures including aerobic capacity, walking endurance, and grip strength across multiple human trials.
Summary
This systematic review synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials examining the effects of NMN supplementation on physical performance parameters in humans. The review identified and analyzed multiple RCTs that measured outcomes such as aerobic capacity, walking endurance, grip strength, and exercise performance in participants taking NMN compared to placebo.
The findings consistently demonstrated improvements in physical performance across the included studies. Participants taking NMN showed enhanced aerobic capacity, improved walking endurance (six-minute walk test), and better grip strength. These benefits were observed across different populations including healthy middle-aged adults and older individuals, suggesting NMN may counteract age-related physical decline through its role in boosting NAD+ levels and supporting mitochondrial function.
The review highlights that while the evidence is promising and directionally consistent across studies, the field is still limited by a small number of available RCTs, relatively short intervention periods, and modest sample sizes. The authors conclude that NMN shows genuine potential as an intervention for maintaining physical function but call for larger and longer trials to establish definitive clinical recommendations.
Methods
Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating NMN supplementation on physical performance outcomes in human participants. Inclusion criteria required placebo-controlled design and measurement of at least one physical performance parameter. Study quality was assessed using standard risk of bias tools. Outcomes of interest included aerobic capacity (VO2max), walking endurance, grip strength, and other functional measures.
Key Results
- NMN supplementation improved aerobic capacity measures across multiple studies
- Six-minute walk test distances were consistently better in NMN groups vs placebo
- Grip strength improvements observed, particularly in older participants
- Benefits appeared across varying NMN doses (250-900 mg/day)
- Physical performance improvements were accompanied by increases in blood NAD+ levels
- Effects were observed in both middle-aged and older adult populations
Limitations
- Small number of RCTs available for review (emerging field)
- Most included studies had small sample sizes
- Short intervention durations across most trials (8-12 weeks)
- Heterogeneity in NMN doses, participant ages, and outcome measures
- Unable to perform formal meta-analysis due to study heterogeneity
- Potential publication bias toward positive results
- Limited ethnic and geographic diversity in study populations