Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes
Background The aim of this international study was to investigate the prevalence of the use of sports supplements among young athletes, as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards sports supplementation. Methods Organized survey study testing the level of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and pract...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0294-7 |
| _version_ | 1827817739946819584 |
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| author | Pavle Jovanov Višnja Đorđić Borislav Obradović Otto Barak Lato Pezo Aleksandar Marić Marijana Sakač |
| author_facet | Pavle Jovanov Višnja Đorđić Borislav Obradović Otto Barak Lato Pezo Aleksandar Marić Marijana Sakač |
| author_sort | Pavle Jovanov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The aim of this international study was to investigate the prevalence of the use of sports supplements among young athletes, as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards sports supplementation. Methods Organized survey study testing the level of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices concerning the use of sports supplements was administered to 348 athletes, 15–18 year olds from 4 countries competing in 18 sports at the international level. Results The prevalence rate of the intake of sports supplements was 82.2%, with the protein supplements being predominant (54.5%). Coaches were identified as the primary source of information regarding supplementation (41.4%). The enhancement of athletic performance (35.4%) was the major motivation for the supplements intake. The majority of athletes (72.1%) were aware of associated health risks. The young athletes possess varying levels of knowledge regarding their own supplementation. The obtained data about the level of knowledge were statistically analyzed using the correspondence analysis. Less than 40% of athletes had the knowledge about the proper and intended use of protein, creatine, amino acids, beta alanine and glutamine, while they had greater understanding about vitamins and minerals, sports drinks and caffeine. The athletes in developed countries had greater access and utilization of professional resources such as dieticians. Young athletes are still unfamiliar with WADA regulations (55.5%), and the misuse of sports supplements represents an ethical dilemma for some. Conclusion These findings indicate the necessity of a comprehensive education of all team members about sports supplements and careful supervision of the athletic development of young athletes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:37:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-219135b7348a4fe1b1679e0a370e230a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:37:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-219135b7348a4fe1b1679e0a370e230a2023-09-15T09:19:30ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832019-07-0116110.1186/s12970-019-0294-712130105Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletesPavle Jovanov0Višnja Đorđić1Borislav Obradović2Otto Barak3Lato Pezo4Aleksandar Marić5Marijana Sakač6Institute of Food Technology in Novi SadFaculty of Sport and Physical EducationFaculty of Sport and Physical EducationFaculty of MedicineInstitute of General and Physical ChemistryInstitute of Food Technology in Novi SadInstitute of Food Technology in Novi SadBackground The aim of this international study was to investigate the prevalence of the use of sports supplements among young athletes, as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards sports supplementation. Methods Organized survey study testing the level of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices concerning the use of sports supplements was administered to 348 athletes, 15–18 year olds from 4 countries competing in 18 sports at the international level. Results The prevalence rate of the intake of sports supplements was 82.2%, with the protein supplements being predominant (54.5%). Coaches were identified as the primary source of information regarding supplementation (41.4%). The enhancement of athletic performance (35.4%) was the major motivation for the supplements intake. The majority of athletes (72.1%) were aware of associated health risks. The young athletes possess varying levels of knowledge regarding their own supplementation. The obtained data about the level of knowledge were statistically analyzed using the correspondence analysis. Less than 40% of athletes had the knowledge about the proper and intended use of protein, creatine, amino acids, beta alanine and glutamine, while they had greater understanding about vitamins and minerals, sports drinks and caffeine. The athletes in developed countries had greater access and utilization of professional resources such as dieticians. Young athletes are still unfamiliar with WADA regulations (55.5%), and the misuse of sports supplements represents an ethical dilemma for some. Conclusion These findings indicate the necessity of a comprehensive education of all team members about sports supplements and careful supervision of the athletic development of young athletes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0294-7survey analysiscorrespondence analysistest of knowledgeethics in sports |
| spellingShingle | Pavle Jovanov Višnja Đorđić Borislav Obradović Otto Barak Lato Pezo Aleksandar Marić Marijana Sakač Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition survey analysis correspondence analysis test of knowledge ethics in sports |
| title | Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| title_full | Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| title_short | Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| title_sort | prevalence knowledge and attitudes towards using sports supplements among young athletes |
| topic | survey analysis correspondence analysis test of knowledge ethics in sports |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0294-7 |
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