RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary supplement information needs among collegiate athletes. METHODS: Three hundred seven (nâ¯=â¯154 male; nâ¯=â¯153 female) student athletes participating in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I team completed a dietary supplement survey. Qualitative coding addressed open-ended responses, and chi-square test of independence explored differences among athlete subgroups. RESULTS: Five themes representing athletes' information needs included quality/composition (53.5%; nâ¯=â¯77), general information (31.9%; nâ¯=â¯46), nutrition information (30.6%; nâ¯=â¯44), performance (18.8%; nâ¯=â¯27), and body composition (13.2%; nâ¯=â¯19). Athletes with "no" or "minimal" (nâ¯=â¯63), vs "moderate" or "strong" (nâ¯=â¯195), perceived knowledge of supplement safety were more likely to list a question about supplement quality or composition (34.9% [nâ¯=â¯22/63] vs 21.5% [n= 42/195]; Pâ¯=â¯.03; chi-squareâ¯=â¯4.6). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Further research is needed to corroborate findings to inform educational efforts and promote safe and effective use of dietary supplements by student athletes.