Athletes using sport supplements are more open to doping - study

Athletes using legal performance enhancing and medical sport supplements are more likely to dope than those using sport foods and superfoods, a new study reveals. While some sport supplements may be necessary for an athlete's programme, taking ergogenic and medical sport supplements may inadvertently lead to sports people developing favourable attitudes towards doping Researchers at the University of Birmingham and Canterbury Christ Church University are calling for bespoke anti-doping education for athletes using such supplements to prevent them turning to banned substances. In the first study of its kind, the researchers surveyed 573 athletes competing at club, country, national and international level about their use of four types of sport supplements: Ergogenic, such as creatine - used to improve performance; Medical, such as iron - used to treat clinical issues and nutrient deficiencies; Sport foods/drinks, such as protein bars - providing a source of nutrients; and Superfoods, such as goji berries - which claim to optimise health and performance. Publishing their findings in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, the researchers note that athletes using ergogenic and medical sport supplements to improve performance, through boosting strength and shortening recovery between training sessions can develop the belief that doping is another means to improve performance. Co-author Christopher Ring , Professor in Psychology at the University of Birmingham, commented: "Our results have important implications for coaches, nutritionists and sport doctors - they must appreciate that athletes who are administered ergogenic and medical sport supplements may develop more favourable attitudes towards doping.