Prevalence of sports supplements consumption and its association with food choices among female elite football players.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to 1) investigate the consumption of Sports Supplements (SSs) among female elite football players, 2) evaluate the influence of age on SS consumption, and 3) determine the relationship between the consumption of SSs and dietary choices among elite football players. METHODS: A total of 126 female football players of Primera Iberdrola and Reto Iberdrola who participated in this descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study completed a self-administered questionnaire on SSs and the Athletes' Food Choices Questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 84.1% of participants consumed supplements, mainly for improved sports performance (68.3%) and health (34.1%). The main sources of purchase were the Internet (34.9%) and specialized shops (23.8%), and players were commonly advised by a dietitian-nutritionist to use SSs (56.3%). The SSs most often consumed included whey protein (30.2%), sports drinks (28.6%), creatine monohydrate (28.6%), sports bars (27.8%), and caffeine (27.8%). Older players consumed more supplements at the time of data compilation. Players predominantly acquired these supplements by using the Internet and reported benefits from their use (all P ≤ 0.036). Additionally, players who consumed SSs conveyed more concern about their food choices. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of female football players consumed SSs, particularly SSs supported by robust scientific evidence. Older players had higher supplement consumption rates. The use of SSs was related to food choices through nutritional characteristics of foods, knowledge about health and nutrition, weight control with the help of food, and the performance benefits players could acquire.

Do Spanish Triathletes Consume Sports Supplements According to Scientific Evidence? An Analysis of the Consumption Pattern According to Sex and Level of Competition.

BACKGROUND: The use of sports supplements (SS) to improve sports performance is very common in athletes. In the case of triathletes, the physiological characteristics of the sport may require the use of certain SS. Although the consumption of SS is widespread in this sport, very few studies have investigated it thus far. The aim is to analyze the pattern of SS consumption by triathletes according to sex and the competitive level. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on the consumption and habitual use of SS of 232 Spanish-federated triathletes. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 92.2% of the athletes consumed SS, but no significant differences were found in terms of competition level or sex. Yet, significant differences were found regarding the level of competition for total SS (p = 0.021), the total number of Group A supplements from the AIS classification (p = 0.012), and for the ergogenic aids (p = 0.003). The most-consumed SS were bars, sports drinks, sports gels, and caffeine (83.6%, 74.1%, 61.2%, and 46.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of SS by triathletes is high, and the number of SS consumed rises from the regional to the national and international levels. The four SS most consumed were included in category A of the AIS (greatest scientific evidence).

Are the Consumption Patterns of Sports Supplements Similar among Spanish Mountain Runners?

BACKGROUND: The use of sports supplements (SS) to improve sports performance is widespread in all types of athletes, however, the specific characteristics of mountain races may require the use of certain SS. Despite being a sport where the consumption of SS seems widespread, few studies have been conducted in this regard. The objective of this study is to analyze the pattern of SS consumption of mountain runners in relation to the degree of scientific evidence, sex, and level of competition. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study on the consumption and habitual use of SS of 357 federated mountain runners in Spain. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: From the total sample, 93.84% of the athletes stated that they consumed SS, with no differences observed based on the competitive level or in terms of sex; however, there were significant differences according to the competitive level in terms of the number of SS consumed, with consumption being greater at a higher competitive level (p = 0.009). The most consumed SS were sports bars (66.1%), sports drinks (60.5%), sports gels (52.9%), and caffeine (46.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of SS in mountain races is high, and the number of SS consumed is higher as the competition level increases. The four SS most consumed by the participants in this study were all included in category A in the classification of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), this category is the one with the greatest scientific evidence.

Analysis of Sports Supplement Consumption in 1688 Federated Road Cyclists.

The widespread use of sports supplements (SS) to enhance athletic performance extends to cyclists, although little research has been conducted on this subject within this sport. This descriptive and cross-sectional study involved 1688 federated road cyclists, aiming to analyse the pattern of SS consumption concerning the degree of scientific evidence and different categories. This study categorised SS based on the groups and subgroups established by the Australian Sport Institute (AIS, 2023) based on the level of evidence. Our results showed that 62.5% of the sample cyclists used SS, with an average of 12.2 ± 8.6 supplements consumed per participant. Health status (78.2%), pharmacies (62.5%), and medical doctors (45.7%) were the main reasons, purchase sites, and sources of information for SS consumption, respectively. The most prevalent SS consumed were Sports Gels (94%), Sports Bars (89.3%), and Sports Drinks (73.8%). Notably, 80% of the top ten most consumed SS belonged to the group with the highest level of evidence according to the AIS, with an average of 6.9 ± 3.2 supplements per participant. However, 23.3% of the total SS consumers used prohibited substances. In conclusion, while the prevalence of SS consumption among road cyclists is considerable and the primary sources for purchasing SS and obtaining advice are reliable, there is a notable prevalence of prohibited substance use within the sample.

Analysis of the Consumption of Sports Supplements in Open Water Swimmers According to the Competitive Level.

BACKGROUND: Sports supplements (SS) are widely consumed by many types of athletes to improve their performance. These SS are classified according to their level of scientific evidence, by the ABCD system from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). In open water swimming, their use may be necessary due to the physiological challenges posed by this sport discipline. However, there is currently little literature on the use of SS in open water swimmers. The aim of this work is to analyze the pattern of consumption of SS by open water swimmers, by studying the differences according to the competitive level (regional vs. national). METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study on the consumption and use of SS by federated open water swimmers in Spain in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. The data were collected through a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: 79.5% of the participants consumed SS, with significant differences according to their level, being higher in athletes at the national level. The most-consumed SS by the swimmers studied were sports drinks, energy bars, caffeine, vitamin C, and vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the consumption of SS in open water swimmers was high, and of the five most-consumed SS, four of them belonged to the category of greatest scientific evidence.

Sports supplements use in mountain runners: differences by sex and competitive level.

Introduction: Introduction: sports supplements (SS) are widely used by all types of athletes to improve their performance. These SS are classified according to the ABCD system of the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) from higher to lower scientific evidence. In mountain runners, their use could be necessary due to the physiological demands required by this sport. However, the literature on the use of SS by mountain runners is scarce. Objective: to analyze the pattern of SS consumption in mountain runners by studying differences according to sex and competitive level (regional vs national). Methodology: this was a descriptive and cross-sectional study on the consumption and use of SS by mountain runners participating in the Alcoy Solidarity Trail. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire based on content, applicability, structure, and presentation. This questionnaire was completed online by the athletes, who could fill it out voluntarily and at their convenience, as well as anonymously. Results: the results showed that 87.5 % of participants reported consuming SS, with no significant differences observed with respect to competitive level, although differences were found with respect to sex (92.7 % in men vs 70.6 % in women; p = 0.029), with a higher consumption found in men compared to women. The most consumed SS were sports bars (81.9 %), sports drinks (75.0 %), caffeine (48.6 %), magnesium (38.9 %), and electrolytes (27.8 %). Conclusions: among mountain runners consumption of SS is high, and 4 of the 5 most habitually consumed SS belong in the category of greater scientific evidence.

Introducción: Introducción: los suplementos deportivos (SS) son muy utilizados por todo tipo de deportistas para mejorar su rendimiento. Estos SS se clasifican según el sistema ABCD del Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) de mayor a menor evidencia científica. En corredores de montaña, su uso podría ser necesario debido a las exigencias fisiológicas de este deporte. Sin embargo, la literatura sobre el uso de SS por corredores de montaña es escasa. Objetivo: analizar el patrón de consumo de SS en corredores de montaña, estudiando las diferencias según el sexo y el nivel competitivo (autonómico vs. nacional). Metodología: se trata de un estudio descriptivo y transversal sobre el consumo y uso de SS por parte de los corredores de montaña participantes en el Trail Solidario de Alcoy. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de un cuestionario validado en base al contenido, la aplicabilidad, la estructura y la presentación. El cuestionario fue completado de manera online por los atletas que pudieron rellenarlo voluntariamente y a conveniencia, y de manera anónima. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que el 87,5 % de los participantes reportaron consumir SS, no observándose diferencias significativas con respecto al nivel competitivo, aunque sí se encontraron diferencias con respecto al sexo (92,7 % en hombres y 70,6 % en mujeres; p = 0,029), donde los hombres tenían un mayor consumo en comparación con las mujeres. Los SS más consumidos fueron las barritas deportivas (81,9 %), las bebidas deportivas (75,0 %), la cafeína (48,6 %), el magnesio (38,9 %) y los electrólitos (27,8 %). Conclusiones: entre los corredores de montaña, el consumo de SS es alto y 4 de los 5 SS más consumidos pertenecen a la categoría de mayor evidencia científica.

Dietary Supplement Use of Turkish Footballers: Differences by Sex and Competition Level.

This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) and to determine related topics in Turkish football players of different sexes and competition levels. A total of 117 footballers (79 males and 38 females) completed a specific survey regarding DS consumption in athletes. The type of DS ingested was classified based on the level of scientific evidence by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS): group A (high level of scientific evidence), group B (DS that could have a positive effect, but require more evidence), group C (evidence is against their use), and group D (prohibited substances). After a Kolmogorov−Smirnov test, a t-test or Mann−Whitney U test was performed for quantitative variables, while Pearson's chi-square and odds ratio (with the confidence interval) were performed for qualitative variables. Of the sample, 87.2% reported having consumed DS, with a higher consumption rate in males (males: 93.7%, females: 73.7%; p = 0.006; OR = 5.3 [1.7−16.8]) and professional players (professional: 98.2%, non-professional: 77.4%; p < 0.001; OR = 7.9 [1.2−52.3]). Males and professional players consume more sports foods (p < 0.001), performance supplements (p < 0.001), and total group A supplements (p < 0.001) compared to females and non-professionals. In addition, males consume more medical supplements (p = 0.012) and total group C supplements (p < 0.001) than female footballers. The most consumed DS were sports drinks (63.2%), magnesium (52.1%), vitamin C (51.3%), vitamin D (46.2%), caffeine (38.5%), sports bars (37.6%), whey protein (28.2%), meat protein (25.6%), vitamin E (24.8%), and omega-3 fatty acids (24.8%). The supplement consumption was higher in male and professional footballers. According to the AIS classification, there were significant differences in the consumption of sports foods, medical supplements, performance supplements, and the total number of group A and group C supplements according to sex, and there were significant differences in the consumption of sports foods, performance supplements, and the total number of group A supplements according to competition level.

Effects of ß-Hydroxy ß-Methylbutyric Supplementation in Combination with Conservative Non-Invasive Treatments in Athletes with Patellar Tendinopathy: A Pilot Study.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of conservative non-invasive treatments based on eccentric training, stretching and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) supplemented with ß-Hydroxy ß-methylbutyric (HMB) or placebo (PLAC) on body composition, pain and muscular function (jump ability, muscular power and muscular strength) in athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT). In a double-blind randomized trial, 8 athletes (4 males and 4 females) performed a physical rehabilitation for 4 weeks. They were randomly divided into two experimental groups (two males and two females in each one) that ingested HMB (HMBG) or PLAC (PLACG). In pre- and post-intervention were assessed body composition, pain, countermovement jump (CMJ), back-squat (BS) for analyzing peak power (W) (PPPP), load (kg) associated to PPPP (PPKG) and mean velocity (m/s) (PPMV) in addition to a 5-RM leg extension tests. An interaction intervention·supplementation (p = 0.049; È 2p = 0.774) was observed in the height reached in the CMJ as an intervention effect in PPPP detected for the HMBG (p = 0.049). In addition, an enhancement in PPKG (p = 0.028; È 2p = 0.842) was detected in the intervention, but not in PPMV, as an increase in the intervention in the 5-RM test (p = 0.001; È 2p = 0.981) was observed. No changes were noted on body composition or pain (p > 0.05). The combination of eccentric training with stretching and ESWT increased concentric muscular power and strength after 4 weeks without changes in body lean mass or pain. In addition, HMB supplementation could enhance the power muscular performance in athletes with PT, optimizing the intervention adaptions.

[Fraud in nutritional supplements for athletes: a narrative review]. / Fraude en suplementos nutricionales para deportistas: revisión narrativa.

INTRODUCTION: The use of nutritional supplements (NSs) is a widespread practice in both professional and amateur athletes. Their choice must be based on criteria of safety, legality, and effectiveness. There are several risks that some of these products can trigger, this being a reason for fraud to the consumer. By way of example, the presence of a legal substance in doses higher than its recommendation may cause unwanted side effects; on the other hand, its presence in quantities lower than necessary (effective threshold) may not have the effect expected or announced by the product. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the existence of fraud in relation to nutritional labeling and/or to the content of NSs intended for athletes. A narrative review was conducted through PubMed in which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results show that nutritional labeling differs from the actual amounts of ingredients. This type of fraud has been found in protein powder supplements, pre-workout mixtures, creatine, and beverages containing vitamins and minerals, among others. Fraud due to errors in the labeling by omission of substances present in the product or by errors in the analysis or declaration of quantities, is high. This lack of transparency in the actual composition of labels can contribute to sports performance and/or health problems in the athlete. Therefore, an improvement of the legislation on NS is necessary to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and legality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El uso de suplementos nutricionales (SN) es una práctica muy extendida tanto entre los deportistas profesionales como entre los amateurs. Su elección debe realizarse basándose en criterios de seguridad, legalidad y eficacia. Son varios los riesgos que algunos de estos productos pueden desencadenar, siendo motivo de fraude para el consumidor. A modo de ejemplo, la presencia de una sustancia legal en dosis superiores a sus recomendaciones puede ocasionar efectos secundarios indeseados; por el contrario, su presencia en cantidades inferiores a las necesarias (umbral efectivo) puede no provocar el efecto esperado o anunciado por el producto. Por ello, el objetivo de la presente revisión es describir la existencia de fraude en relación con el etiquetado nutricional y/o el contenido de los SN destinados a deportistas. Se realizó una revisión narrativa a través de Pubmed en la que 16 estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Los resultados muestran que el etiquetado nutricional difiere de la cantidad real de ingredientes. Este tipo de fraude se ha encontrado en suplementos de proteína en polvo, mezclas preentrenamiento, creatina y bebidas que contienen vitaminas y minerales, entre otros. El fraude debido a errores en el etiquetado, por omisión de sustancias presentes en el producto o por errores en el análisis o declaración de las cantidades, es alto. Esta falta de transparencia en la composición real del etiquetado puede contribuir a problemas de rendimiento deportivo y/o de salud en el deportista. Por lo tanto, es necesaria una mejora de la legislación de los SN para garantizar su seguridad, eficacia y legalidad.

Analysis of Sport Supplement Consumption and Body Composition in Spanish Elite Rowers.

The aim of this study was to analyze the anthropometric characteristics and sport supplement (SS) consumption patterns of heavyweight and lightweight international rowers. Methods: The 13 heavyweights (11 males) and seven lightweights (five males) of the Spanish National Rowing Team were recruited for the study. Body composition was measured by bio-impedance analysis, and the questionnaire used in this investigation was previously validated to assess SS consumption. According to anthropometrics parameters, it was reported that male heavyweight rowers were heavier (p < 0.001) and taller (p < 0.001), but no statistical differences were reported for % body fat (p = 0.104) or % lean body mass (p = 0.161). All rowers reported consumption of at least one SS. Based on the Australian Institute of Sport's classification, higher medical supplement consumption was observed when comparing heavyweight rowers to lightweight rowers (2.5 ± 1.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5, p = 0.040). There were no differences in the totals of group A (strong scientific evidence for sports scenarios, p = 0.069), group B (emerging scientific support, deserving of further research, p = 0.776), or group C (scientific evidence not supportive of benefit and/or security amongst athletes, p = 0.484). The six most consumed SSs were iron (85%), caffeine (85%), ß-alanine (85%), energy bars (85%), vitamin supplements (80%), and isotonic drinks (80%), with no statistical differences between heavyweight and lightweight rowers (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the absence of differences in body composition (expressed as a percentage) do not represent anthropometric disadvantages for heavyweight rowers. In addition, SS consumption was similar between rowers, reporting only higher medical supplement consumption in heavyweight rowers.

Carbohydrate Availability and Physical Performance: Physiological Overview and Practical Recommendations.

Strong evidence during the last few decades has highlighted the importance of nutrition for sport performance, the role of carbohydrates (CHO) being of special interest. Glycogen is currently not only considered an energy substrate but also a regulator of the signaling pathways that regulate exercise-induced adaptations. Thus, low or high CHO availabilities can result in both beneficial or negative results depending on the purpose. On the one hand, the depletion of glycogen levels is a limiting factor of performance during sessions in which high exercise intensities are required; therefore ensuring a high CHO availability before and during exercise is of major importance. A high CHO availability has also been positively related to the exercise-induced adaptations to resistance training. By contrast, a low CHO availability seems to promote endurance-exercise-induced adaptations such as mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced lipolysis. In the present narrative review, we aim to provide a holistic overview of how CHO availability impacts physical performance as well as to provide practical recommendations on how training and nutrition might be combined to maximize performance. Attending to the existing evidence, no universal recommendations regarding CHO intake can be given to athletes as nutrition should be periodized according to training loads and objectives.

Evaluation and Behavior of Spanish Bodybuilders: Doping and Sports Supplements.

The use of doping agents has these days become a public health problem, as it also affects young and non-competitive amateurs in different sports. To prepare for competition, bodybuilders perform aggressive dietary protocols, so, bodybuilders frequently consume nutritional supplements (NS) and banned substances in large dosages. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of banned substances consumption and NS intake in competitive level bodybuilders. A total of 48 bodybuilders (44 males and 4 females) completed a validated online questionnaire on NS consumption. The quantitative data was presented as a mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD), as well as having minimum and maximum values. The categorical variables were expressed using frequencies and percentages. 83.3% of the participants declared that they had consumed or would consume banned substances, the most consumed being anabolic steroids (72.9%). One hundred percent of those sampled use NS. Whey protein (96%), branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) (94%), creatine (85%) and vitamin complexes (83%) were the most consumed, however, there is a low consumption of certain NS which could also increase athletic performance.

Effects of an Acute Exercise Bout on Serum Hepcidin Levels.

Iron deficiency is a frequent and multifactorial disorder in the career of athletes, particularly in females. Exercise-induced disturbances in iron homeostasis produce deleterious effects on performance and adaptation to training; thus, the identification of strategies that restore or maintain iron homeostasis in athletes is required. Hepcidin is a liver-derived hormone that degrades the ferroportin transport channel, thus reducing the ability of macrophages to recycle damaged iron, and decreasing iron availability. Although it has been suggested that the circulating fraction of hepcidin increases during early post-exercise recovery (~3 h), it remains unknown how an acute exercise bout may modify the circulating expression of hepcidin. Therefore, the current review aims to determine the post-exercise expression of serum hepcidin in response to a single session of exercise. The review was carried out in the Dialnet, Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed, Scielo and SPORTDiscus databases, using hepcidin (and "exercise" or "sport" or "physical activity") as a strategy of search. A total of 19 articles were included in the review after the application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. This search found that a single session of endurance exercise (intervallic or continuous) at moderate or vigorous intensity (60-90% VO2peak) stimulates an increase in the circulating levels of hepcidin between 0 h and 6 h after the end of the exercise bout, peaking at ~3 h post-exercise. The magnitude of the response of hepcidin to exercise seems to be dependent on the pre-exercise status of iron (ferritin) and inflammation (IL-6). Moreover, oxygen disturbances and the activation of a hypoxia-induced factor during or after exercise may stimulate a reduction of hepcidin expression. Meanwhile, cranberry flavonoids supplementation promotes an anti-oxidant effect that may facilitate the post-exercise expression of hepcidin. Further studies are required to explore the effect of resistance exercise on hepcidin expression.

Consumo de suplementos nutricionales y sustancias nocivas en culturismo: implicaciones para su gestión / Use of nutritional supplements and harmful substances in bodybuilding: implications for its management

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