Dietary Supplement Usage, Associated Knowledge and Attitudes of Sri Lankan National-Level Athletes: A Cross Sectional Study

Main Article Content

Suraweera Aracchilage Nimesha Rashani
Shehani Pigera
Punchividanelage Nilu Jayashika Fernando
Madunil Anuk Niriella
Seevali Jayantha Jayawickreme
Arjuna Priyadarsin De Silva

Keywords

Anti Doping, Practices, Multivitamin

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify dietary supplement prevalence, reasons to use, supplement types, personal beliefs, knowledge and practices of athletes related to supplement use and doping in sports.


Methods: Data was collected from 386 athletes (Male; 66.8%, Female; 33.2%, Mean age ±SD; 26.22±4.9), represented national pools of 12 sport types.


Results: 354 (91.5%) of athletes used supplements including multivitamin (57%), electrolyte (49.7%), protein (43.5%), calcium (19.7%) and creatine (17.4%). Gender, social status, education and profession were not found to be determinants of supplement use, but sport type did (p < 0.05). Rugby and weightlifting players showed significant protein, multivitamin and creatine use per day (p < 0.05). Many athletes consumed supplements to boost their performance (41.8%) and strength (54. 5%). The majority (60.5%) claimed about self-decided supplementation plan. Male athletes had more dope-positive attitudes than females (P<0.05). Athletes who attended anti-doping educational workshops/were exposed to international competitions were more concerned about supplement content (p <0.05). A considerable number of multivitamin (51.8%), creatine (37.3%) and protein (14.8%) users consumed them without any scientific basis.


Conclusions: Dietary supplements appear to be widely consumed by Sri Lankan national-level athletes, whereas a considerable proportion does not follow proper nutritional assessment before use.

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