In this study, we determined the prevalence of nutritional supplements (NS) usage, the type of supplements used, the reasons for usage, and the source of nutritional advice among Portuguese athletes. Two hundred ninety-two athletes (68 % male, 12 - 37 years old) from 13 national sports federations completed a questionnaire that sought information on socio-demographics, sports data, and NS usage. Most athletes (66 %) consumed NS, with a median consumption of 4 supplements per athlete. The most popular supplements included multivitamins/minerals (67 %), sport drinks (62 %), and magnesium (53 %). Significant differences for the type of NS consumed were found between gender and age groups and the number of weekly training hours. Most athletes used NS to accelerate recovery (63 %), improve sports performance (62 %), and have more energy/reduce fatigue (60 %). Athletes sought advice on supplementation mainly from physicians (56 %) and coaches (46 %). Age and gender were found to influence reasons for use and the source of information. Reasons for NS usage were supported scientifically in some cases (e. g., muscle gain upon protein supplementation), but others did not have a scientific basis (e. g., use of glutamine and magnesium). Given the high percentage of NS users, there is an urgent need to provide athletes with education and access to scientific and unbiased information, so that athletes can make assertive and rational choices about the utilization of these products.

BackgroundThe use of nutritional supplements (NS) among athletes is widespread. However, little is known about the relationship between nutritional adequacy and NS usage. The aims of this study were to evaluate the NS usage and to compare the nutritional intake from food and prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy (PMI) between NS users and non-users.MethodsPortuguese athletes from 13 sports completed an NS usage questionnaire and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire assessing information over the previous 12 months. The estimated average requirement cut-point method was used to calculate PMI. General linear models were used to compare nutritional intake and NS usage. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were performed to study, respectively, relationships and associations between PMI and NS usage.ResultsFrom the 244 athletes (66% males, 13–37 years), 64% reported NS usage. After adjustment, NS users showed a higher intake from food (p < 0.05), for at least 1 gender, for energy, and for 7 of the 17 studied nutrients. The highest PMI were seen for vitamins D and E, calcium, folate, and magnesium. After adjustment, NS users, irrespective of gender, reported lower PMI for calcium (OR = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.12–0.65), and female users for magnesium (OR = 0.06, 95%CI: 0.00–0.98).ConclusionAthletes using NS reported a higher nutritional intake from food, and a lower PMI for several nutrients. Perhaps, those who were taking NS were probably the ones who would least benefit from it.

While collagen type I is often used as a substrate for cell culturing and as a coating in biomedical implants, as far as we know a simple systematic study comparing the effects of the different presentations of collagen type I on the osteoblastic behavior of cells is missing. In this work, human bone marrow cells (hBMCs) were cultured under osteoblastic-inducing conditions, for 21 days, over a layer of adsorbed collagen (monomeric) and on the surface and inside collagen gels (fibrillar). Comparison was made based on three classical parameters; cell proliferation/viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and production of mineral deposits. The three types of collagen type I substrates allowed the adhesion, proliferation, and the osteoblastic differentiation of cells. However, hBMCs behavior was influenced by the monomeric/fibrillar and 2-/3-dimensional nature of the collagen substrates, namely: monomeric collagen favored cell attachment; cells on 2D substrates presented higher proliferation rates during the exponential phase of growth with formation of spiral-like multilayered structures; cells seeded inside 3D collagen gels formed a regular dense cellular mesh and had a low proliferating rate; cells cultured over or inside fibrillar collagen differentiated faster, with the 3D cultures presenting higher levels of ALP activity; and the extension of mineralization was greater for the cultures done over or inside fibrillar collagen. Thus, cells cultured over collagen gels showed both the ability for cell proliferation and for earlier differentiation, a fact that can be exploited in the biomaterials field.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse differences in sociodemographic and sporting characteristics, health-behaviours, and food intake of athletes using and not using nutritional supplements (NS). Design/methodology/approach – High-performance Portuguese athletes from 13 sports completed a NS usage questionnaire, assessing information on sociodemographic (sex, age, height, weight, athlete’s, and parental education level), health-related (smoking, daily time of sleeping, walking, and sitting), and sporting (type, number of international performances, weekly hours of training and weekly hours of gym) characteristics; and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (86 items), regarding the previous 12 months. Findings – From the 241 athletes (66 per cent males, 13-37 years), 64 per cent reported NS use. Supplement usage was associated with age 18 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.57, 95 per cent; confidence interval (CI) 1.17-5.65), performing individual sports (OR 5.45, 95 per cent; CI 2.49-11.93) and > 2 h gym/week (OR 2.42, 95 per cent; CI 1.15-5.11), a higher consumption of meat (OR 2.83, 95 per cent; CI 1.36-5.90), eggs (OR 2.53, 95 per cent; CI 1.07-5.96), and yogurt (OR 2.24, 95 per cent; CI 1.08-4.62), and a lower intake of processed meat (OR 0.32, 95 per cent; CI 0.15-0.72), vegetable oils (OR 0.35, 95 per cent; CI 0.17-0.74), margarine (OR 0.37, 95 per cent; CI 0.18-0.76), chips (OR 0.22, 95 per cent; CI 0.10-0.48), and fast food (OR 0.42, 95 per cent; CI 0.19-0.91). Originality/value – Athletes using NS had different characteristics from non-users, and seemed to have healthier and more sports-oriented food choices. Our findings may help sport and health professionals to identify an alleged or future NS user, enabling the development of a timely and self-directed supplement scheme.

Eagle's syndrome (ES) is the elongation of the ossified styloid process that causes symptoms such as foreign body sensation, neck pain, and odynophagia. A styloid process greater than 25 mm in length should be considered abnormal. Facial palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve and results in weakness or total paralysis of the facial muscles that control expression. Here, we describe a rare presentation of ES presenting as facial palsy. We present the case of a 62-year-old female who was admitted to the emergency department with right peripheral facial palsy. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent conservative management and physical therapy, which resulted in good evolution with an improvement of symptoms. She was referred to the otorhinolaryngologist for surgical evaluation.