Ergogenic aids

Big noise b/c of the Olympics, is ergogenic aids, or things that make you go faster, longer, and stronger. The list of ergogenic neutraceuticals for an athlete is long, fraught with perils and questionable. The journey for investigation, experimentation, evaluation and results takes time, effort, measurement (if possible) and money.
Some reasonable considerations should include: Is it safe–will it pass the ethics test, doping control, GMP, USP, or better, NSF, and higher standards?
Is there peer reviewed research published in recognized and esteemed science journals?
Does any research suggest and ergogenic potential?
Are the studies in vitro or in vivo, on humans? If humans, how was the cohort chosen–young/healthy, or age span, gender, etc.
What was the sample size? Over 30 subjects and 30 controls is necessary for statistical merit. The upper level of participants does not have to be in the thousands or millions.
How was the study designed–many are faulty or have a bias.
Was the study well controlled?
Was the study long enough? This makes a significant difference. Sometimes things are going well and you think you are getting results and suddenly your advances/benefits/changes, whatever, stop or reverse. Oops!!! Next idea, Plan B, etc.
A real caveat of any product, sports or general use, is the safety, efficacy and quality issue. Many, if not most manufacturers do not do clinical studies because they are too expensive. So how do they know the product works, especially the way the marketing hype say they work. There may be a placebo affect with 50% of the consumers. The branding partner I have chosen the years does extensive clinical studies on the finished product, not library research on the ingredients-altho this would be done initially to get the development started. They also set the bar for safety, efficacy and quality for the whole industry. In all the time I have been recommending them I have never had to apologize for a product. This is a huge responsibility for any practitioner.