Use of Sports Supplements in Competitive Handball Players: Sex and Competitive Level Differences

Abstract

Sports supplements are commonly used by elite athletes with the main goal of enhancing sport performance. Supplements use might be substantially different depending on the sport discipline, sex, and competitive level. To date, data about prevalence and the most-commonly used supplements in handball are scarce. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to determine the patterns of supplements use by handball players of both sexes and with different competitive levels: One hundred and eighty-seven handball players (112 men and 75 women) of different competitive levels (106 professional and 81 amateur) completed a validated self-administered questionnaire about supplements use. Supplements were classified according to the categorization of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). Overall, 59.9% of the handball players (n = 112) declared the use of at least one supplement and there were no significant differences between men and women (58.9% vs. 61.3%, p = 0.762) nor between professional vs. amateur handball players (67.1% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.074). The most prevalent supplements were sports drinks (42.2%), followed by energy bars (35.3%) and caffeine-containing products (31.6%). However, a greater consumption of group A supplements (those with strong scientific evidence; p = 0.029) and group B supplements (those with emerging scientific support, p = 0.012) was observed in male compared to female handball players. Supplements categorized as medical supplements were more commonly consumed in professional vs. amateur players (0.48 ± 0.80 vs. 0.21 ± 0.44, supplements p < 0.006). Additionally, a higher consumption of group B supplements was observed in professional compared to amateur players (0.58 ± 0.88 vs. 0.33 ± 0.72 supplements, p = 0.015). Handball players revealed a moderate use of supplements while sex and competitive level slighted changed the pattern of supplements use. A high portion of handball players use supplements as fuel during exercise and reported the use of caffeine-containing supplements to enhance performance.

Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance

“…Second, since performance of habitual caffeine consumers may be affected when deprived from caffeine [ 72 ], participants’ habitual caffeine consumption should have been registered, and accounted for in the statistical analysis. Furthermore, caffeine consumption is different according to the sports modality practiced [ 73 , 74 ]; this could have conditioned the previous use of this supplement in the different subjects of the sample and, therefore their response to it. Finally, a baseline measure for mood profile and subjective perception of vitality was not performed at each experimental session, and so it should be noted when interpreting the results of the present study.…”

A Survey on Dietary Supplement Consumption in Amateur and Professional Rugby Players

“…Though the use of supplements is widespread, it is important that both athletes and the different professionals who work with them know how to perform a cost–benefit analysis on their appropriate and responsible use [ 20 , 95 ], based on their individual safety, efficacy, and legality [ 96 ]. Since athletes often use DS without a clear understanding of their effects and risks, it is essential to provide information on patterns of DS use in athletes [ 27 , 97 ]. Furthermore, it is important for the use of DS not to compensate poor food choices and an inappropriate diet [ 20 ].…”

Analysis of the consumption of sports supplements in elite fencers according to sex and competitive level

“…This survey endorsed methodological quality in a meta-analysis, in which only 57 of the 164 questionnaires reviewed were approved [ 18 ]. In addition, the questionnaire has been used in different studies that have analyzed SS consumption in different sports modalities, exceeding 1000 athletes in total (from all the different studies) [ 9 , 14 , 16 , 19 – 26 ]. The questionnaire is organized in three parts: (i) one in which the anthropometric, personal and social data of the respondent were collected, (ii) a second that aimed to analyze and contextualize sporting activity, and (iii) a final part aimed at relating the consumption of SS and its possible repercussions on health and / or sports performance.…”