Consumption of Nutritional Supplements among Division I Female Basketball Players

Abstract

Consumption of nutritional supplement among elite athletes could be influenced by many factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nutritional supplements intake among division I female basketball players, and particularly examined the type, frequency, timing, source of information of nutritional supplements and reasons for the supplement intake by the players. A survey with questionnaire was conducted on 111 female basketball players. The result indicated that consumption of the nutritional supplements by the basketball players were about 94.6%, with an average of 4.1 ± 2.2 types of products by each player. The sports drinks, vitamin B complex and energy jellies were found to be the most popular supplements. For the timing of nutritional supplement, data indicated that most often used supplements prior to exercise were the chocolate and vitamin B complex, during exercise were the sports drinks and energy jellies, and after exercise were the protein supplements. The supplements frequency showed that most supplements were used once per a day or irregularly, but the protein supplements were used three times per a week. No significant differences were noticed on the prevalence of supplements use among different teams, age groups and experience of enrolling nutrition education. Furthermore, the source of information was mainly from the strength and conditioning instructors/athletic trainers, coaches as well as families/relatives. The major reasons for supplements intake were nutrients replacement and increasing energy. This study concludes that division I female basketball players were frequent users of nutritional supplement. The source of information was from non-professional members and they used supplements for nutrients replacement and increasing energy. The results of this study could be considered as a reference in the field of sports nutrition.