The Use of Medications and Dietary Supplements by Masters Athletes — a Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review Masters athletes (MA) are generally considered healthier than their sedentary peers. However, the prevalence of chronic conditions in any population increases with age. Treatments involve pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. A substantial proportion of the general population also use dietary supplements (DS). This raises questions about the potential for drug-nutrient interactions which may lead to adverse effects. We sought to determine the potential for drug-nutrient interactions MA may be exposed to by examining the prevalence of chronic conditions treated with medications and their DS use. Recent Findings Common conditions in MA include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, osteoarthritis, depression and anxiety. Treatments may involve prescribed medications. Few recent studies were identified on DS use; however, indications are for around 60% prevalence of supplement usage. Summary The higher prevalence of DS use by MA may result in drug-nutrient interactions that impact the effectiveness and safety of prescribed medications for chronic conditions.

Sports Supplements User Profile Based on Demographic, Sports, and Psychological Variables: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The prevalence of SS use among elite athletes and recreational exercisers has been studied by different authors and has greatly expanded throughout the years [ 2 , 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. The range of SS users that has been reported in previous investigations is very wide [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] and goes from 35 to 95% [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…The range of SS users that has been reported in previous investigations is very wide [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] and goes from 35 to 95% [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 17 , 18 ]. According to recent literature, this high prevalence of SS use may become dangerous for health [ 17 , 18 , 19 ] due to the misuse, lack of reliable resources of information, and the scarce guidance of health specialists [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the demographic profile of SS users, regarding sex and age [ 11 , 17 , 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. These researchers have reported sex-based and age differences in the distinctive subpopulations studied [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the demographic profile of SS users, regarding sex and age [ 11 , 17 , 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. These researchers have reported sex-based and age differences in the distinctive subpopulations studied [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Sex-based differences have been considered an important area of debate [ 25 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], where some authors have reported that men tend to use more SS [ 7 , 8 , 22 , 25 , 27 ], and others have suggested a greater prevalence of SS use in women [ 8 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Concerning age, authors have informed that SS use starts at a young age and continues into adult life [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 18 , 21 ]. Furthermore, they have reported that due to competition and nutritional needs, elite athletes tend to use more SS than recreational exercisers throughout their life [ 3 , 8 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”