Dietary Supplement Usage, Motivation, and Education in Young Canadian Athletes

• Autores: Kristin Wiens, Kelly Anne Erdman, Megan Stadnyk, Jill A. Parnell
• Localización: International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, ISSN 1526-484X, ISSN-e 1543-2742, Vol. 24, Nº. 6, 2014, págs. 613-622
• Idioma: inglés
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• Dialnet Métricas: 6 Citas
• Resumen

  • Purpose: To evaluate dietary supplement use in young Canadian athletes, their motivation for consuming supplements, and their sources of information. Methods: A questionnaire tested for content validity and reliability was administered to 567 athletes between the ages of 11 and 25 years from the Canadian athletic community in face-to-face meetings. Demographics and sport variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Fisher�s exact tests were used to examine dietary supplementation patterns and sources of information regarding dietary supplement use between categories of gender, age, sport type, and competition level. Results: Ninety-eight percent of athletes were taking at least one dietary supplement. Males were more likely to consume protein powder, energy drinks, recovery drinks, branched chain amino acids, beta-alanine, and glutamine (p < .01); supplements typically associated with increased muscle mass. Athletes 11�17 years old focused on vitamin and mineral supplements; whereas, athletes 18�25 years old focused on purported ergogenic supplements. Strength training athletes were more likely to consume creatine, glutamine, and protein powders (p < .02). Reasons for supplement use included to stay healthy, increase energy, immune system, recovery, and overall performance. Primary sources of information were family and friends, coaches, and athletic trainers; with 48% of athletes having met with a dietitian. Preferred means of education included individual consultations, presentations, and the internet. Conclusions: The majority of young athletes are using dietary supplements with the belief they will improve performance and health; however, may not always have reliable information. Educational programs using individual consultations and electronic media are recommended for this demographic.