Striegel, H., Simon, P., Niess, A. M., & Ulrich, R. (2007). Nutritional supplement and illicit drug use in elite athletes. ACSM Annual Meeting New Orleans, Presentation Number, 2578.

This study evaluated the use of nutritional supplements among elite athletes (N = 356).

Athletes (55.4%) reported having used nutritional supplements. Use was positively correlated with age, with the desire to enhance performance in order to become an Olympic or World Champion, as well as with knowledge about nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplement use was negatively correlated with training frequency and the use of nicotine. The most commonly mentioned supplements were vitamins (44.0%) and minerals (35.8%). Reasons for using nutritional supplements were primarily the need to enhance recovery from injuries and the desire for athletic success. Athletes reported the sources of information were mainly sports physicians (41.0%) and coaches (35.4%). The main sources of supply named were pharmacies (57.5%) and drugstores (29.6%).

Implication. Nutritional supplements are a common part of elite sports. There was no suggestion that the use of nutritional supplements would lead to the use of either natural stimulants or illicit drugs.

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