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SUPPLEMENT AND ERGOGENIC AID USE BY COMPETITIVE MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES
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2002
Year
Physical ActivityExercise PsychologyKinesiologySport NutritionExerciseHigh School SportsApplied PhysiologySports NutritionClinical ExercisePublic HealthSport PhysiologySport ScienceCompetitive NatureHealth SciencesHigh School AthletesPhysical FitnessClinical Exercise PhysiologyClinical NutritionExercise InterventionsExercise ScienceHigh-performance SportPhysiologyExercise PhysiologyAthletic TrainingSport-related Injuries
The increasingly competitive nature of high school sports has led athletes to use supplements to gain speed, strength, and endurance. PURPOSE: The use of 21 types of nutritional supplements and ergogenic aids (SEA) by male and female high school athletes was investigated, along with their motivation, influencers of use, and sources of sports nutrition information. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by 270 athletes competing in a winter or spring sport at four high schools, mean enrollment of 1075, in a population area of 110,000. The sport athletes currently played was indicated, and other sports played during the year noted. RESULTS: Students, 55% girls, 45% boys, age 13–18 (mean = 15.9), mean grade level = 10.3, currently participated in track/cross country 33%, basketball 23%, softball 12%, baseball and soccer 11%, and 70% participated in more than one sport during the year, range 1–4 sports (mean = 1.9). Current or past SEA use for sports enhancement was reported by 22% of athletes; however 58% had used at least one of the 21 SEA survey types and 82% thought SEAs could improve their performance. Boys reported use of all 21 SEA types and girls 19 of 21 types. Multivitamins (46%) and CHO drinks (59%) were used most often. Significantly more boys used creatine (21% vs. 3%), amino acids (8% vs. 1%) and weight gain formulas (10% vs. 2%), while significantly more girls used ephedrine (26% vs. 12%). Boys mainly used SEAs to gain muscle and increase energy and girls to prevent illness and to increase energy. Coaches, doctors and parents were main sources of nutrition and SEA information; parents most often influenced SEA use; and doctors, coaches and dietitians were viewed as the most reliable information sources. CONCLUSION: The majority of high school athletes surveyed used SEAs to enhance athletic performance. Although coaches and professionals were viewed as credible sources of information, they must have up-to-date knowledge on SEA use and safety to proactively guide young athletes and their parents.