The Use of Nutritional Supplements Among Master Athletes

Abstract

We assessed the use of nutritional supplements among master athletes focusing on their source of information and source of supply of nutritional supplements. 1560 standardized, anonymous questionnaires were distributed among participants of the World Masters Athletics Championships Indoors 2004. These questions were related to biometric parameters, social indicators, training parameters, illicit drugs, and nutritional supplements. Chi2-tests were computed to reveal meaningful associations between basic information (age, gender, family status, children, education, country of origin, disciplines, training years, smoking, and the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and doping) and the intake of nutritional supplements. Descriptive information on the history of their use of nutritional supplements was also provided. 60.5 % of all participants reported the actual use of nutritional supplements. We found no significant differences between nutritional supplement users and non-users with regard to basic information. The substances predominantly used were vitamins (35.4 %) and minerals (29.9 %). In contrast to elite athletes who use nutritional supplements to increase their athletic performance, master athletes use these substances predominantly for health reasons and, thus, have a closer contact to the health care system. Physicians are their preferred source of information about nutritional supplements. More than half of the interviewed athletes obtain their nutritional supplements from pharmacies or physicians. The results of this study indicate that nutritional supplement users in master athletics show no specific user profile. Since it is not rare for nutritional supplements to contain trace contaminations of anabolic androgenic steroids or pro-hormones, physicians should also inform master competitive athletes of the dangers of testing positive for doping substances due to their intake of nutritional supplements and advise them accordingly.

Age-related changes in 100-km ultra-marathon running performance

“…It is possible that females are gaining more competitive opportunities as they age, or that they are seeking out competition later in life, after childbirth or later in their career (Ransdell et al 2009). Further reasons for the maintenance of running performance with age in 100-km female ultra-marathoners might be improved nutrition with an increased use of ergogenic supplements (Striegel et al 2006), less over-use injuries despite increased age (Knobloch et al 2008) and less age-related diseases with increased morbidity and mortality (Chevalier et al 2009). However, Taunton et al (2002) reported that females accounted for significantly more over-use injuries of the lower limbs, depending upon age and training history.…”

Gateway to doping? Supplement use in the context of preferred competitive situations, doping attitude, beliefs, and norms

“…As such, NS use, along with behavioural intention and attitudes toward NS use and doping, may be important in highlighting those most at risk of developing a doping habit. To date, little attention has been paid to the social cognitive aspect of athletes' NS use in sport; even though studies document high usage rates across age, sports and attainment levels (Erdman 2006;Froiland et al 2004;Kujala et al 2003;Maughan et al 2007;Striegel et al 2006;Tsitsimpikou et al 2009a;Tsitsimpikou et al 2009b). Championships) also revealed high prevalence of NS use (Tscholl et al 2010).…”

Dietary supplements containing prohibited substances: A review (Part 1)

“…[7,8] Estimated use in the latter group varies between 44% and 100%; however, this very much depends not only on the type of sport but also on the level of competition and age and gender of the athletes. [8][9][10][11] Large quantities of nutrients, commonly found in normal human diets, are consumed without there being much knowledge of possible health risks and the maximum daily safe doses involved. Over the past decade, a new hazard related to dietary supplement use has been identified in that some products, marketed under the aegis of the regulatory requirements for foods, have been shown to contain unapproved pharmaceutically active ingredients.…”