Use of nutritional supplements by subjects enrolled in physical fitness programs

Abstract

This is a survey on the use of nutritional supplements by subjects enrolled in physical fitness schools in Niterói and São Gonçalo (RJ). The study group had 160 subjects (10 for school), selected at random, who answered a questionnaire. Schools were chosen occording to localization and receptivity to answering the questions. The results showed that 51 subjects (32%) were using some kind of supplement and 109 were not (68%). The supplement user group (SUG) was compounded by subjects between the ages of 20 and 30 years, 35 men and 16 women, 17 of them engaged in strength physical exercise, 15 in gymnastics, 9 in both and 10 in various types of physical exercises. The SUG had 28 subjects who were using one kind of supplement and 23 that were using two or more; two subjects used six types of supplements. The subjects undergoing strength physical exercise preferred to use not only amino acids and protein supplements, but also “energizing products” and “stimulants”. The subjects enrolled in gymnastics preferred the latter products, but used vitamins and minerals too. The others used all sorts of supplements. Many subjects (82.3%) of the SUG used the supplements daily at different doses. Thirty-two subjects related that they had received orientation in the use of supplements. The authors discuss the results presented and make a short review of the effects of supplements on physical performance and health.