Use of Supplements by Student Athletes (2024)

FAQs

Is it necessary for an athlete to consume supplements? ›

When Are Supplements Useful? Some supplements are useful in providing extra calories for athletes who have eliminated a food group due to a food allergy or other medical-related issue. Supplements can also benefit athletes who need to gain weight or address a known nutrient deficiency.

“Consistently taking supplements ensures that your body receives a continuous supply of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. These nutrients are vital for proper bodily function and can help prevent deficiencies that might lead to health issues in the future” (Khan).

Some people also use ergogenic aids to prepare the body for exercise, reduce the chance of injury during training, and enhance recovery from exercise [1,2]. Dietary supplements to enhance exercise and athletic performance come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, and bars.

Research on exercise supplements

There's no scientific evidence to support products that claim they'll increase muscle size, strength, energy or athletic performance. But many athletes look for any way to gain an edge on their competition or quickly reach their personal goals.

But not everyone needs to take supplements. “It's possible to get all of the nutrients you need by eating a variety of healthy foods, so you don't have to take one,” says Carol Haggans, a registered dietitian and consultant to NIH. “But supplements can be useful for filling in gaps in your diet.”

Many popular pre-workout supplements are associated with side effects, including digestive issues, water retention, and headaches. Adjusting your dosage or avoiding supplements with certain ingredients may help. To boost energy levels and performance during exercise, many people turn to pre-workout supplements.

While supplements offer an array of benefits for filling nutritional gaps and addressing specific health concerns, it's important to recognize the risks of supplementation. One major concern is the potential for over-reliance on supplements at the expense of a balanced diet.

Dangers of unnecessary supplementation

The truth is, supplements can be harmful when they are not medically necessary or provide no therapeutic benefit. There is also the risk of interactions, which can cause any medications you're taking to lose their effectiveness, or cause unwanted, even harmful side effects.

Muscle Building Supplements

To produce results, supplements marketed for muscle building may contain steroids and substances that act like steroids, such as stanozolol. These powerful substances can lead to serious health effects, including liver injury, heart attack, kidney damage, and stroke.

It is estimated that 60 percent of athletes use some form of dietary supplement. A 2012 study of middle school and high school students revealed 34.7 percent of boys reported using protein supplements, 5.9 percent used steroids, and 10.5 percent used some other muscle- enhancing substance.

Why supplements are important? ›

Some dietary supplements can improve overall health and help manage some health conditions. For example: Calcium and vitamin D help keep bones strong and reduce bone loss. Folic acid decreases the risk of certain birth defects.

“In addition to a healthy diet, there is evidence that some supplements can benefit your overall well-being with little to no risk,” says Dr. Millstein. Common supplements that may benefit your health include: Vitamin B12, which can help keep nerve and blood cells healthy, make DNA and prevent anemia.

Creatine supplements are likely the most studied sports supplement. Supplementing with creatine enhances your body's natural ability to create ATP. Creatine has been called the “most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement available” by the International Society of Sports Nutrition, for seemingly good reason.

“In general, most athletes do not need supplements of any kind and are best off to get all their calories, healthy proteins, and other vitamins and minerals from real foods,” said Dr.

Consuming enough protein is absolutely essential for optimal muscle gain. However, if you're getting enough protein in your diet, taking a protein supplement is unnecessary.

There is little evidence to suggest consuming extra protein directly aids physical performance in either endurance or resistance exercise. Protein is fairly ubiquitous in the diet – it can come from animal sources (fish, meat, offal, eggs and dairy), and in smaller amounts from vegetable sources (cereals and legumes).