Elite Adolescent Athletes’ Use of Dietary Supplements: Characteristics, Opinions, and Sources of Supply and Information

Abstract

The authors' aim was to examine the prevalence of (daily) dietary-supplement (DS) use among elite adolescent athletes and to differentiate use by different types of DS according to their function. Data were analyzed for associations between users of these DS types, sociodemographic, sport-specific characteristics, and opinion on the need for DS. In addition, sources of supply and information were examined. In the framework of the GOAL Study, 1,138 German elite adolescent athletes (14-18 yr) answered questions about DS. The data were analyzed to identify groups at risk for using DS after a classification by supplemental function. Of the young athletes, 91.1% reported DS use during the previous month. (Daily) DS use was significantly associated with sex, kind of sport, and the weekly duration of sporting activity. Furthermore, some athletes were required to use DS by their sporting organization. DS use was more likely in these athletes than in those whose sporting organizations had no such requirement. Overall, DS with short- and long-term supplemental function were mostly associated with the use of magnesium. However, DS with medium-term muscle-building function played an important role among daily users. The main source of information about DS was coaches; main source of supply was parents. Professional education is urgently needed, as 9 out of 10 athletes used DS, and strong positive opinions toward the use of DS were present, particularly in the DS users.

6 Nutritional Supplements

“…There are different definitions of the concept "supplement" and which supplements includes 1,2,6,7,12 . According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the term "dietary supplement" includes any product orally consumed (except tobacco) to supplement someone's diet that contains one or more dietary ingredients.…”

“…However, the list of supplements with scientific evidence supporting its efficacy and safety is short 1,2,4,10,11 , and, unlike medication, these products do not undergo rigorous control criteria or require prior approval of regulatory authorities, which could be an alarming situation for athletes 1,6,9,10 . About 25% of supplements are contaminated with substances prohibited by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA, 2016) and the main contaminant are anabolic steroids 2,7 . This presents a potential risk to the athlete's health and a negative impact in the athlete's career since he may be suspended for accusing positive in an anti-doping control test 1,2,4,6,10,11 .…”

“…Additionally, as a result of excessive use of different supplements in high doses and for long periods of time or its inappropriate use, there exists the probability of toxicity, negative interactions between substances and health problems to neurological, hematological and cardiovascular levels 1,3,4,[7][8][9]11,12,14 .…”

“…Its use is more prevalent than in general population, and is gaining popularity in various sports [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] . The international prevalence of supplements usage varies between 37% and 89% 10 , more frequently in older and elite athletes 2,3,5,7,10,11 , being associated with increased physical demands at the highest level of physical training and also to continue to improve athletic performance 12 .…”

“…These products may contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids and substances like enzymes, organ tissues, glandular and metabolites, extracts or concentrates under the form of tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, bars, soft gels or caps gels 2,3,7,[12][13][14] . Therefore, there is a range of supplements available with different and specific objectives 1 .…”