Dietary Supplements Use in Competitive and Non-Competitive Boxer: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Intensity training, talent, and an adequate diet represent the crucial factors for the success of athletes. Unfortunately, athletes prefer intaking substances to quicker and easier increase their performance compared to traditional training. For this reason there has been a significant spread of enhancing substances drugs and dietary supplements (DS), although, as already broadly evidenced, the abuse of those substances could seriously damage athletes' health. Indeed, DS could contain substances that are not declared on the label, which are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This exploratory study aims to investigate DS phenomenon, specifically, we want to describe this phenomenon among boxers, analyzing typologies of DS intaken, knowledge about DS, main reasons for justifying DS abuse, and places where boxers buy them and potential consultants about suggesting their consumption. Data were collected through a total of 214 anonymous self-report questionnaires administered to boxers in Campania (Italy), 169 questionnaires were considered valid. The study collects data exclusively for male athletes. Indeed, the results demonstrate that boxers, mainly men (88.4% of the sample), practice sport mostly for fun and they intake DS for balancing out nutritional deficiencies and having more energy. Mineral salts (N=88) and vitamins (N=85) are broadly intaken compared to other substances. The consumption of DSis recommended by coach in the competitive athletes (N=33), against non-competitive boxer whom consultant is the doctor (N=25). Boxers mostly buy the supplements in the drugstore. In summary, the results demonstrate that boxers widely intake DS for improving their performance. Also, implications for research and practice are discussed.

Gender Difference, Nutritional Supplements and Drug use in Sport to Enhancing Performance: an Italian Revision over the Last Decade

“…However, gender differences in drug intake depend on several factors: genetics, physiology, anatomy, and sociocultural expectations and experiences (Badoud et al, 2011;Mazzeo, 2016;Santamaria, 2016). Moreover, gender also influences the course and treatment of substance use disorder.…”

“…It was necessary create an independent organization with the sole purpose to defeat the doping in the sport (WADA, 2010;Overbye, Knudsen, & Pfister, 2013). For this reason, in 1999, it was created the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an international organization, with the aim to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms Santamaria, 2016).…”

Use and attitudes toward dietary supplements and drugs amongst Italian elite athletes and its correlation with banned doping substances

“…According to Suzic et al, 2011 the athletes who practice individual sport take more dietary supplements than those of collective sports. Mazzeo et al, 2016 showed that boxers take DS for sport and health. They have no awareness of the benefits of supplements and when and which supplements can be used in the event of a sedentary or sporting life.…”

“…Moreover, in elite athletes, the misuse and abuse of the abovementioned substances represents a serious health problem, as well as sports lawfulness, because the ergogenic aids can conceal doping substances present in the WADA list and are not always subject to strict controls (Mazzeo, 2016;Mazzeo et al, 2016). In competitive competitions, in fact, the use of any drug substance prohibited by WADA is allowed only for medical reasons and only by virtue of an exemption for therapeutic purposes and therefore documented by the doctor.…”

Overtraining syndrome, stress and nutrition in football amateur athletes

“…The nutrition of the sportsman must ensure the contribution of energy, in the form of calories and promoteand maintain a high level of psychophysical wellbeing (Mazzeo, 2016;Chulvi-Medrano et al, 2019). There are variations in energy expenditure depending on the type of sports activity considered and practiced (Hawley et al, 1995) but also in relation to the registry and morphological variables (Illiano et al 2017;Montesano et al, 2013); it is important to draw up a training protocol with a proper nutritional structure associated, where necessary, with a correct integration of vitamins and / or essential fatty acids (Ashbaugh., McGrew., 2016;Mazzeo et al, 2016).…”