The Effect of Dietary Supplements on the Quality of Life of Retired Professional Football Players

Abstract

Professional football players may experience negative health consequences when they retire such as chronic pain, cognitive problems as well as other consequences of sports-related injuries. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with multiple nutrients on the quality of life of retired football players. Fifteen retired players received daily supplementation of fish oil with cholecalciferol, antioxidants, natural vitamins and minerals, polysaccharides and phytosterol-amino acid complex for 6 months. Using an open-labeled repeated measures design, volunteers completed self-report assessment measures at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months. Outcome measures were CDC HRQOL-4, WHOQOL-BREF, POMS, MFQ and pain self-assessment. General health rating improvement on CDC HRQOL-4 from month 1 was sustained to month 6 (p<0.0001). Mental health days improved at 6 months (p<0.05). WHOQOL-BREF showed increased health satisfaction at all measurement points (p<0.05) and the Physical and Psychological Domain Scores at 6 months (p<0.05). MFQ General Rating of Memory improved at 3 and 6 months (p<0.05). Vigor scale in POMS was significant at 3 months (p<0.05). Decreased pain was noted only for the elbow at month 1 and the knee at month 3 (p<0.05). No adverse events were reported. Results of this study offer preliminary insight into using dietary supplements to support and optimize quality of life in retired football players. Further research using a placebo-controlled design is needed to characterize the potential benefit to physical and psychological well-being of multiple dietary supplementations for this cohort.

The effect of consuming multivitamin/mineral supplements on elderly quality of life

“…2013 regarding the effect of the nutritional supplements on the quality of life among the retired professional football players showed that the use of fish oil, antioxidants, vitamins, and natural minerals on a daily basis can bring about improvements in the physical and psychological dimensions of the quality of the individuals' lives upon the completion of the intervention. [ 21 ] However, the results and effects of using supplements are different on the quality of the old people's lives. In some of the studies, the effect of supplements and vitamins' use on the strengthening of the old people's physiques has been shown.…”

Effects of a polysaccharide-based multi-ingredient supplement on salivary immunity in non-elite marathon runners

“…In controlled human trials, polysaccharide intake enhanced the immune system biomarkers in the blood of healthy adults [ 22 ]. The effect of dietary supplements with polysaccharides on retired professional football players supported and optimized their quality of life [ 25 ]. However, no data regarding the impact of AA supplementation on healthy marathon runners performing strenuous physical activity is available.…”

The potential role of omega-3 fatty acids supplements in increasing athletic performance

“…The same study has proven that this is a good manner of improving modifiable cardiovascular risk factors related to lipid levels in professional football players. [40,41] Machado P. et al have researched the effects of omega-3 fatty acids diet supplementation on the plasmatic lipid profile of swimmers in the time span before a competition. In this direction they have used fish oil (containing a total of 950 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA) in the form of capsules, meaning 2.5 g/day, for 45 days before the competition.…”