The use of nutritional supplements and performance enhancing substances in patients in the Umhlanga area
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020
Authors
Mahomed, Nazeer Ahmed Noor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background: Nutritional supplements play a key role in the lifestyle of a sizeable proportion of the population. The use of these supplements has grown substantially in the past decade. Nutritional sports supplements are dietary supplements commonly used by those involved in bodybuilding, athletics, and many other sports. Performance enhancing substances (PES) are defined as any substance that is used by athletes to heighten their abilities and enhance the performance in their sport participation. Objective: To determine the use of nutritional supplements and performance enhancing substances (PES) by patients, in a selected group of medical and physiotherapy practices.
Methods: The study was conducted at a total of four practices, which were two private medical and two physiotherapy practices, located in the suburb of Umhlanga. The study consisted of data of completed questionnaires collected over a period of two months from 260 participants (n=260) aged between 18 to 55 years of age. The study used a cross-sectional method design with an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Outcome measures of this study included the following; Age, gender, level of education, and occupation; Type of exercise, frequency, duration and intensity of exercise; Type of supplement used by the participants; Reasons for supplement and PES use; Source of information about supplements and PES; Attitudes and perceptions to the use of PES and nutritional supplements. Results: The study consisted of data of completed questionnaires collected over a period of two months from 260 participants. The majority of the participants fell into the 26-35 year-old category (33%) , with the gender breakdown of the participants being 57% male(n=148), and 43% female(n=112). The participants varied from an educational background perspective, with 36.5% having attained a bachelor’s degree. The majority of the participants exercised 1-2 times a week (32%) closely followed by those who exercised 3-4 times a week (31%). In terms of types of exercise, the majority of the participants performed strength related exercise (36%) followed by those who performed aerobic exercise (25%). Of the 260 participants in this study, more than half (60%) indicated that they did not consume supplements whilst 40% indicated that they use supplements. Of the participants, 95% answered “No” to the use of Performance Enhancing Substances, whilst 5% (n=13) reported use of PES. The primary reason selected by the participants overall for supplement use is to meet nutritional needs (31%), followed by those using supplements to increase energy levels (22%). The primary reasons for the usage of PES selected by the participants, were to accelerate healing (24%), to meet nutritional needs (24%), and to improve sport performance (19%). Across all exercise types, multivitamin usage was the highest, with a mean of 41% followed by protein supplements with a mean of 27% across the various exercise types as illustrated in Table 5 below. In terms of PES, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) had the highest usage, at an average frequency of 43% across all types of exercise participation. 64% of participants believed that they felt they would experience improved performance by using supplements, followed by those who believed that using supplements would make them more powerful, muscular and better shaped (63%). Of the participants, 83% either disagreed or strongly disagreed that without using PES, they would not succeed in their sport, and 66% of participants were in agreement that PES use was considered acceptable within their social circle.
Conclusion: The results of this study signify a fairly extensive use of nutritional supplements and evidence of some use of PES amongst medical practice and physiotherapy patients in the Umhlanga area. From our study it is evident that physicians and healthcare providers such as pharmacists, do not sufficiently engage their patients in conversation with reference to nutritional supplements and PES. Further research is needed regarding healthcare practitioners knowledge about supplements and PES. Sports organisations and stakeholders should offer more education on the use of supplements and PES in sports.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Medicine) in the field of Sports Medicine
Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020