Use of dietary supplements in Olympic athletes is decreasing: a follow-up study between 2002 and 2009

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the frequency of use of dietary supplements (DS) among large sample of elite Finnish athletes and to describe possible changes in dietary supplement use between the years 2002 and 2009.MethodsA prospective follow-up study was conducted on Olympic athletes. The first survey was conducted on Olympic athletes in 2002 (N = 446) and the follow-up study was conducted between May 2008 and June 2009 (N = 372).ResultsIn 2002, a total of 81% of the athletes used dietary supplements (a mean of 3.37 ± 3.06 DS per user) and in 2009, a total of 73% of the athletes (a mean of 2.60 ± 2.69 per DS user) used them. After adjusting for age-, sex- and sport type, the OR (95% confidence interval, CI) for use of any dietary supplement was significantly less in 2009 as compared with 2002 results (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.90). Decrease in DS use was observed in all supplement subgroups (vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements). Athletes in speed and power events and endurance events reported use of any dietary supplement significantly more often than team sport athletes both in 2002 and 2009. In year 2009, the frequency of all dietary supplement use increased when athlete's age increased and the increase was significant in older age groups: of the athletes under 21 years 63%, 21-24 years 83% and over 24 years 90% consumed nutritional supplements.ConclusionsBased in our study, there seems to be a lowering trend of dietary supplement use among elite Finnish athletes although differences between sport subgroups and age groups are considerable.

Perspectives on Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

“…For example, a survey of Olympic-caliber Finnish athletes indicated that 16% ( n  = 446) used creatine in 2002 and 8% ( n  = 372) used creatine in 2009 [153]. Creatine use in Canadian Olympians was somewhat more common during the Atlanta (14%; n  = 257) and Sydney Olympic Games (12%; n  = 300) [154].…”

Physician-Prescribed Medication Use by the Finnish Paralympic and Olympic Athletes

“…The use of anti-asthmatic medication among OAs is known to be common and there may even be overuse of asthma medications in certain athletic disciplines. 5,[11][12][13][14][15][16] On the other hand, the diagnostic criteria for athletes' asthma may be too strict so that athletes suffer from asthma symptoms but they are not able to get asthma diagnosis. This topic has been discussed in detail in an article published by our study group.…”

“…A more detailed description of the types of sports of the OAs has been provided previously by our study group. 4,5 Paralympic athletes represented individuals participating in a total of 14 different winter and summer sports. The types of sports of the PAs are given in Table 3.…”

Nutritional Knowledge of UK Coaches

“…Optimising nutritional intake has been demonstrated to elicit peak performance levels [1,2,3] from subsequent enhancement of recovery processes, body mass control, effective hydration, reductions in illness and injury, coinciding with increased confidence as a result of a more prepared mental state for competition [4]. Irrespective of the competition level and type of sport prolonged energy deficit may lead to decreased performance and health, including iron deficiency anemia and immunosuppression [5].…”