Supplement use in sport: is there a potentially dangerous incongruence between rationale and practice?
2007

Supplement Use in Sports: Rationale vs. Practice

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Petróczi Andrea, Naughton Declan P

Primary Institution: School of Life Sciences, Kingston University

Hypothesis

A frequent divergence between the type of supplements chosen by athletes and the rationale dictating the supplement use is hypothesized.

Conclusion

There may be a dangerous mismatch between athletes' reasons for using supplements and the actual supplements they choose.

Supporting Evidence

  • Supplement use among athletes ranges from 40 to 60 percent.
  • Many athletes make supplement choices based on personal recommendations rather than reliable information.
  • Conflicting reports exist regarding healthcare professionals' knowledge of supplements.

Takeaway

Athletes often take supplements for the wrong reasons, which can be harmful. It's important to understand why they choose certain supplements.

Methodology

The study suggests analyzing existing data from national surveys to investigate the relationship between supplement use and rationale.

Potential Biases

Response bias may occur due to the sensitivity of the topic.

Limitations

The lack of regulatory control over supplements makes it difficult to obtain accurate data.

Participant Demographics

The study focuses on athletes, but specific demographics are not provided.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6673-2-4

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