Anti-doping education and dietary supplementation practice in Korean elite university athletes

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate relationships and gender differences in dietary supplement (DS) and oriental supplement (OS) prevalence as well as anti-doping awareness during training and the game period. Korea National Sport University athletes (343 male and 136 female) participated in this study and completed DS and OS practice and anti-doping awareness questionnaires. Forty-six percent of athletes used DS during the training period, and there was significantly higher DS use in females (53%) compared to males (43%) (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight percent of athletes used OS, and there was significantly higher OS use in females (35%) than males (26%) (P < 0.05) during the training period. The primary reason of DS use was to supply energy both in males (36%) and females (28%). The main reason for male athletes' OS use was to supply energy (41%). Meanwhile, the reasons for female athletes' OS use were to supply energy (23%), to maintain health (19%), and to improve recovery ability (20%), which showed a significant gender difference (P < 0.05). Athletes rated their perceived degree of satisfaction, perceived importance, and beliefs in efficacy of DS and OS use all over 50% during the training period, and no gender differences were detected. In a comparison between athletes educated about anti-doping (at least more than one time) and non-received athletes, DS and OS use during the training period was 2.30 (1.47-3.60) and 1.71 (1.03-2.82), respectively. DS and OS use immediately before the game period was 2.38 (1.50-3.80) and 3.99 (1.20-13.28), respectively. Elite athletes' anti-doping education was highly related to increased DS use during the training period and immediately before the game. Although elite athletes use various DS and OS during the training period and before the game period, doping education for elite athletes is related with DS and OS use during the training period and before the game.

The estimation of mineral contents in oriental supplements consumed by elite athletes

“…On the other hand, OS use was 28% with a higher rate for female athletes than male athletes [1]. The current study results showed the same DS and OS prevalence in athletes.…”

Usage Patterns, Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Dietary Supplement Intake Among Sri Lankan Elite Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The data showed that, among the supplement users, creatine (37.3%), vitamin (51.8%) and protein (14.8%) users showed signi cant unawareness about the supplements type they consumed (p = 0.05). Furthermore, the current prevalence rate is comparatively similar with past recorded values in developed counties [16,17] and comparatively higher with what has been recorded in some other Asian countries [18,19,20]. Although supplement usage may depend on socio-demographic factors such as gender and age category, the current study was not complied with that.…”

“…Among the dietary supplements protein, vitamin/multivitamin, minerals creatine, electrolyte, and energy drinks/sports drinks have commonly appeared among athletes [19,27,30]. However, despite the maturity in the sports eld, overall athlete population has inclined to the supplements purposely to increase energy/ strength, stay healthy, immune recovery and performance enhancement [17,20,22]. Attitudes, knowledge on doping, and motivation have recognized as the indicators which affect the doping behaviour of athletes [ 8].…”

Anti-doping Awareness among British and Japanese Judo Coaches

“…At present, there can be no guarantee of the purity of any commercial supplement. Supplements use among athletes is widespread [7,16], with by 62.7% of the Japanese national YOG team reporting that they used supplements for health and well-being [17]. It is necessary for coaches to raise athletes' awareness of the possibility that supplements may include substances prohibited under anti-doping regulations.…”