Supplement use as an aid to training: a survey of amateur footballers

Item

Title
Supplement use as an aid to training: a survey of amateur footballers
Author(s)
Fisher Karl
Abstract
This study examined the prevalence and knowledge of supplementation as an aid to improving sports performance amongst amateur male athletes (footballers). Football players were chosen to embody a typical recreational athlete, as it involves both aerobicand anaerobic aspects of fitness and is the country's most popular sport. The players were asked to fill in a questionnaire examining their training, general dietary habits and supplement use. In total, 40 subjects were chosen and analysed, of whom47.5% took some form of supplementation, with a multivitamin/mineral supplement the most popular (73.7%) followed by a carbohydrate supplement/sports drink (63.2%). Only 30% of subjects thought that supplements were an important aid to their training (consisting of 5% of those who did not take supplements and 42% of those who did). 50% of the respondents did not get adequate levels of physical exercise, 72.5% did not get the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables and 87.5% of those questioned did not get enough water per day. The reason given most often for not taking any supplements was a lack of knowledge (43%) and the reason given most frequently for taking any supplement was to improve health (57.8%). As primary health care practitioners, part of the role of the naturopathic osteopath is to educate patients and be knowledgeable on topics such as supplementation, being aware of both the positive and negative aspects.
Date Accepted
2002
Date Submitted
1.11.2003 00:00:00
Type
undergraduate_project
Language
English
Number of pages
81
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
12996
Inst-Identifier
1076
Keywords
Dietary supplements,Nutrition,Sports,Football
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Fisher Karl, “Supplement use as an aid to training: a survey of amateur footballers”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.org/s/orw/item/1342