Dietary Supplement use and their role in Fitness and Sports Performance

Abstract

Introduction: Dietary supplements are products that are essential for addressing specific nutritional requirements, promoting overall health, enhancing physical performance, and facilitating optimal recovery. The use of dietary supplements among athletes has become increasingly prevalent, motivated by the urge to enhance performance, support recovery, and address nutritional deficiencies. While they can offer various benefits, it is essential that healthcare professionals guide their use in order to ensure safety and efficacy.
Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence of the main types of dietary supplements used within the sports community.
Methods: This scoping review aims to examine the use of dietary supplements in physical activity and sports, analyzing 41 studies from high-impact academic databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, as well as the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The focus was on the definitions, categories and usage patterns of dietary supplements among athletes.
Results: The findings indicate significant variability in supplement use, with reported prevalence rate varying from 14% to 97%. This variation is influenced by factors such as age, gender and type of sport practiced. The primary reasons for supplement use in sports, fitness, and recreational activities include performance enhancement, post-exercise recovery, and overall health promotion. The most used supplements are vitamins, minerals, proteins, herbal supplements, and amino acids. Gender differences are evident, with women predominantly using vitamins and minerals, while men tend to favour protein and amino acids. Additionally, the use of supplements significantly affects haematological and biochemical parameters, including liver health and electrolyte balance.
Conclusions: This study provides factual and comparative data on the prevalence of dietary supplements use by physically active individuals and athletes and highlights the importance of professional guidance in supplement use by these subjects. For elite athletes in particular, the controlled use is important in order to mitigate health risks, improve the sport performance and ensure compliance with anti-doping regulations. It also emphasizes the need for educational initiatives to enhance athletes' knowledge of dietary supplements, including their benefits and risks, and to encourage informed and safe usage practices.