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Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(3): 236-241
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865648
Nutrition

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Use of Nutritional Supplements Among Master Athletes

H. Striegel1 , P. Simon1 , C. Wurster1 , A. M. Niess1 , R. Ulrich2
  • 1Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  • 2Department of Cognitive and Biological Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 3, 2005

Publication Date:
11 July 2005 (online)

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Abstract

We assessed the use of nutritional supplements among master athletes focusing on their source of information and source of supply of nutritional supplements. 1560 standardized, anonymous questionnaires were distributed among participants of the World Masters Athletics Championships Indoors 2004. These questions were related to biometric parameters, social indicators, training parameters, illicit drugs, and nutritional supplements. χ2-tests were computed to reveal meaningful associations between basic information (age, gender, family status, children, education, country of origin, disciplines, training years, smoking, and the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and doping) and the intake of nutritional supplements. Descriptive information on the history of their use of nutritional supplements was also provided. 60.5 % of all participants reported the actual use of nutritional supplements. We found no significant differences between nutritional supplement users and non-users with regard to basic information. The substances predominantly used were vitamins (35.4 %) and minerals (29.9 %). In contrast to elite athletes who use nutritional supplements to increase their athletic performance, master athletes use these substances predominantly for health reasons and, thus, have a closer contact to the health care system. Physicians are their preferred source of information about nutritional supplements. More than half of the interviewed athletes obtain their nutritional supplements from pharmacies or physicians. The results of this study indicate that nutritional supplement users in master athletics show no specific user profile. Since it is not rare for nutritional supplements to contain trace contaminations of anabolic androgenic steroids or pro-hormones, physicians should also inform master competitive athletes of the dangers of testing positive for doping substances due to their intake of nutritional supplements and advise them accordingly.

Key words

Nutritional supplements - prevalence - senior athletics - health care system - substance abuse

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H. Striegel

Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tübingen

Silcherstraße 5

72076 Tübingen

Germany

Phone: + 4970712986493

Fax: + 49 70 71 29 51 62

Email: heiko.striegel@uni-tuebingen.de