The Muscle Mag
In a descriptive cross-sectional study, data was collected from 106 middle-distance runners using a validated questionnaire. The participants ranged from regional competitors to international athletes. The authors from Poland and Spain concluded that higher-level athletes tend to consume supplements with stronger scientific evidence.
However, despite the popularity of supplements with evidence supporting performance or health benefits for middle-distance runners, the authors suggest that runners should improve their sources of information and places of purchase.
Significance
Middle-distance running events demand a combination of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism from the athletes. Elite middle-distance runners exhibit enhanced aerobic and anaerobic capabilities similar to long-distance runners and sprinters. They often use supplements for performance enhancement, with notable options being caffeine, β-Alanine, and sodium bicarbonate.
While vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are popular among middle-distance runners, some supplements with less scientific evidence are also widely consumed. Athletes’ limited knowledge of supplements has been noted, with greater use of supplements with less scientific backing.
Supplements are categorized into four groups based on scientific evidence, ranging from solid evidence to prohibited products with a high risk of contamination. Previous research indicates that friends and teammates are common motivators for supplement consumption among athletes.
The study aimed to analyze supplementation patterns in middle-distance runners based on their level and gender, aiming to bridge existing gaps in the literature.
The study
A total of 106 middle-distance runners participated in the study, with no statistical difference in supplement consumption based on level of competition or gender. Higher-level athletes consumed more supplements, particularly medical ones, indicating a focus on health maintenance and recovery. Caffeine was the most consumed supplement, followed by sports drinks, sports bars, and isolated protein.
Coaches, dieticians, nutritionists, teammates, and physicians were common sources that encouraged supplement use among the athletes. The study also noted a significant consumption of supplements with limited scientific evidence.
The authors recommend using reliable sources of information when deciding on supplement consumption. They acknowledge limitations in the study, such as the self-reporting nature of the questionnaire and the need for greater participation of international athletes in future research.
Journal: Nutrients
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/22/4839
“Are Supplements Consumed by Middle-Distance Runners Evidence-Based? A Comparative Study between Level of Competition and Sex”
Authors: Asier Del Arco, Aitor Martinez Aguirre-Betolaza, Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko, Anna Gogojewicz and Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro
