Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2010 Feb;20(1):15-20. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.20.1.15.
Intake of dietary supplements is widespread among athletes in developed countries. This study evaluated the use of dietary supplements in athletes from a developing country. Dietary supplementation practices of 113 national-level athletes age 15-35 yr in Sri Lanka were assessed. All athletes from track-and-field, badminton, football, swimming, cycling, and karate squads who consented to participate in the study were administered an anonymous questionnaire by an interviewer. Information on number of supplements taken, frequency of use, nature of product, rationale, sources of advice, and reasons for taking supplements was obtained. Most athletes (94%) consumed dietary supplements. On average, 3.7 products/day were consumed. Footballers had significantly lower intake of supplements than other athletes (footballers 71%, others 98%; p < .05). They also consumed fewer products per day (footballers 0.7, others 3.5; p < .05). Popular supplements included multivitamins, vitamin E, calcium, energy foods and drinks, and creatine. Multiple supplement use was common, with 29% athletes taking 4 products/day. The athletes sought advice on supplement use from sports doctors (45%), team coaches (40%), or friends (15%). Most took supplements to improve performance (79%), and 19% claimed to take supplements to improve their overall health status. Dietary supplement use is widespread among national-level Sri Lankan athletes. The ad hoc use of supplements indicates that educational intervention in the sporting community is essential.
在发达国家，运动员广泛摄入膳食补充剂。本研究评估了来自发展中国家的运动员对膳食补充剂的使用情况。评估了 113 名年龄在 15-35 岁的斯里兰卡国家级运动员的膳食补充剂使用情况。通过访谈者向所有来自田径、羽毛球、足球、游泳、自行车和空手道队的同意参与研究的运动员发放了匿名问卷。获取了关于补充剂的使用数量、使用频率、产品性质、使用理由、咨询来源和补充剂使用原因等信息。大多数运动员（94%）摄入膳食补充剂。平均每天摄入 3.7 种产品。足球运动员摄入的补充剂明显少于其他运动员（足球运动员 71%，其他运动员 98%；p <.05）。他们每天摄入的产品也较少（足球运动员 0.7，其他运动员 3.5；p <.05）。受欢迎的补充剂包括多种维生素、维生素 E、钙、能量食品和饮料以及肌酸。运动员经常同时使用多种补充剂，其中 29%的运动员每天服用 4 种产品。运动员向运动医生（45%）、团队教练（40%）或朋友（15%）寻求补充剂使用建议。大多数运动员服用补充剂是为了提高运动表现（79%），19%的运动员声称服用补充剂是为了改善整体健康状况。膳食补充剂在斯里兰卡国家级运动员中广泛使用。补充剂的随意使用表明，对体育界进行教育干预是必要的。
