Authors: Lun V., Erdmann KA, et al.

International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 2012 Feb, 22: 31-37

Commentary by Denis Collier

Expanding on earlier work by these same authors, this article provides the most recent summary of the dietary supplementation practices and perspectives of high performance athletes from across Canada. It is a must-read for all stake-holders in Canadian sports nutrition.

Registered Dietitians from eight Sport Centres across the country administered a sport supplement questionnaire. Data was obtained from 440 athletes (63% female, 37% male, average age ~20 year old) from 34 different sports.

Many of the results supported previous well-known findings. The vast majority of high performance athletes elect to supplement their diets (in this case 87% of the 440 athletes surveyed). The most popular reason given for taking supplements was to maintain health / prevent nutritional deficiency. The most frequently consumed supplements (in order) were: 1) sports drinks 2) multivitamin/ minerals 3) carbohydrate sport bar and 4) protein powder. Findings such as these should come as no surprise.

However, this dietitian would like to draw attention to one particular question that produced answers which should be of grave concern to anyone interested in Canadian athletes achieving top performances: These athletes were asked “What is your primary source of supplement advice?”

The number one reported answer to this question was family and friends (as sited by 75 of the 440 athletes). Strength trainer, teammates and coach took spots two, three and four. Of course, who could neglect that mecca of all reputable information – the internet; this came in at number five. You may be wondering where did registered dietitian come in on this list? The one profession specializing entirely in evidence-based nutrition, with four years of university training on the subject, plus another year of a practical internship, held to the highest standard of practice by regulatory provincial bodies, came in at spot number 16. Below naturopaths and the health food store, both of which made the top 10.

With a true scientific spirit, these authors offered the conclusion: “Consistent with the findings of previous studies it appears that athletes are in need of enhanced education about their use of nutritional ergogenic aids”.

Put less scientifically, this dietitian would like to suggest this conclusion is a gross understatement.

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