There are no differences in the consumption of sports nutritional supplements between international and national powerlifters

The scientific literature regarding the evaluation of the consumption of sports nutritional supplements (SND) in strength sports, such as powerlifting, is scarce and most studies have poor quality methodologies, having created myths and pseudosciences in the sector. In order to provide recommendations on SND based on the level of scientific evidence, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has created a SND classification based on the level of scientific evidence. Aims: To know, from a quantitative and qualitative point of view, the SNDs used by powerlifters that compete at an international and national level. Methods and Material: 32 powerlifter (10 international and 22 national) filled a daily SND for 72 hours. Statistical analysis used: A non-parametric Mann-Witney U test was performed for independent samples in order to verify differences in the number of total supplements consumed, as well as the number of supplements consumed in each category established by the AIS. In addition, a χ 2 test was applied to compare differences in the frequency of supplement consumption among athletes of different categories. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: No differences were observed when comparing powerlifters of international and national level in terms of the number of SND consumed. There were also no statistically significant differences in SND consumption according to the level of evidence, although it was observed that international athletes consumed more than those categorized with greater evidence (p>0.05). Conclusions: Although international powerlifters tended to consume supplements with a higher level of scientific evidence, significant statistical differences were not reached and, therefore, our hypothesis was not met

Fraud in nutritional supplements for athletes: a narrative review

El uso de suplementos nutricionales (SN) es una práctica muy extendida tanto entre los deportistas profesionales como entre los amateurs. Su elección debe realizarse basándose en criterios de seguridad, legalidad y eficacia. Son varios los riesgos que algunos de estos productos pueden desencadenar, siendo motivo de fraude para el consumidor. A modo de ejemplo, la presencia de una sustancia legal en dosis superiores a sus recomendaciones puede ocasionar efectos secundarios indeseados; por el contrario, su presencia en cantidades inferiores a las necesarias (umbral efectivo) puede no provocar el efecto esperado o anunciado por el producto. Por ello, el objetivo de la presente revisión es describir la existencia de fraude en relación con el etiquetado nutricional y/o el contenido de los SN destinados a deportistas. Se realizó una revisión narrativa a través de Pubmed en la que 16 estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Los resultados muestran que el etiquetado nutricional difiere de la cantidad real de ingredientes. Este tipo de fraude se ha encontrado en suplementos de proteína en polvo, mezclas preentrenamiento, creatina y bebidas que contienen vitaminas y minerales, entre otros. El fraude debido a errores en el etiquetado, por omisión de sustancias presentes en el producto o por errores en el análisis o declaración de las cantidades, es alto. Esta falta de transparencia en la composición real del etiquetado puede contribuir a problemas de rendimiento deportivo y/o de salud en el deportista. Por lo tanto, es necesaria una mejora de la legislación de los SN para garantizar su seguridad, eficacia y legalidad.The use of nutritional supplements (NSs) is a widespread practice in both professional and amateur athletes. Their choice must be based on criteria of safety, legality, and effectiveness. There are several risks that some of these products can trigger, this being a reason for fraud to the consumer. By way of example, the presence of a legal substance in doses higher than its recommendation may cause unwanted side effects; on the other hand, its presence in quantities lower than necessary (effective threshold) may not have the effect expected or announced by the product. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the existence of fraud in relation to nutritional labeling and/or to the content of NSs intended for athletes. A narrative review was conducted through PubMed in which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results show that nutritional labeling differs from the actual amounts of ingredients. This type of fraud has been found in protein powder supplements, pre-workout mixtures, creatine, and beverages containing vitamins and minerals, among others. Fraud due to errors in the labeling by omission of substances present in the product or by errors in the analysis or declaration of quantities, is high. This lack of transparency in the actual composition of labels can contribute to sports performance and/or health problems in the athlete. Therefore, an improvement of the legislation on NS is necessary to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and legality

Consumo de suplementos deportivos en levantadores de peso de nivel nacional

The scientific literature on the consumption of sports supplements (SS) within powerlifting is scarce. The goal of the study was to evaluate the consumption of SS and dietary protein intake in a national-level powerlifting group. Experimental and non-experimental approaches were used with a total of 22 surveys and dietary logs. The results show that 100% of the subjects claimed to have consumed SS at some point and 96.9% of them are currently consuming them. The most consumed SS are creatine monohydrate (100%), caffeine (95%), whey protein (92%), branched-chain amino acids (73%), energy bars (68%), omega-3 fatty acids (63%), isotonic drinks (63%) and multivitamin complex (59%). Most of the subjects (36.4%) do not plan when to consume them throughout the day. According to the dietary logs of the subjects, the most taken SS were whey protein and creatine monohydrate; furthermore, the subjects consumed an average of 2.37 g/kg/day of dietary protein. Taking into account this study and other studies, we can confirm that the protein intake of powerlifters is enough to fuel muscle gain and maintenance; and that the consumption of SS is high and that it is continuously growing, which may cause serious public-health issues in the future due to the lack of information within the fitness industry and the unspecific and undeveloped legislation of SS within Europe.La literatura científica sobre el consumo de suplementos deportivos (SD) en levantamiento de potencia es escasa. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el consumo de SD y la ingesta de proteína dietética en un grupo de levantadores de peso que compiten a nivel nacional. Se utilizaron enfoques experimentales y no experimentales, registrándose un total de 22 cuestionarios y diarios dietéticos. Los resultados muestran que el 100% de los sujetos afirma haberlos consumido en alguna ocasión y el 96,9% los consume en la actualidad. Los SD más consumidos por la muestra son monohidrato de creatina (100%), cafeína (95%), proteína de suero (92%), aminoácidos ramificados (73%), barritas energéticas (68%), ácidos grasos omega-3 (63%), bebidas isotónicas (63%) y complejos vitamínicos (59%). La mayoría (36,4%) no prevé en qué momento del día consumirlos. Durante el transcurso del diario dietético, los SD más consumidos fueron la proteína de suero y el monohidrato de creatina; además, los sujetos ingirieron una media de 2.37 g/kg/día de proteína dietética. Teniendo en cuenta el presente estudio y otras aportaciones en la bibliografía, podemos afirmar que la ingesta de proteína dietética en levantadores de peso es suficiente para la ganancia y preservación de masa muscular; y que el consumo de SD es elevado y cada vez más frecuente, lo que puede ocasionar serios riesgos de salud pública debido a la falta de información existente en el sector, e inespecífica y mejorable legislación de los SD en Europa

No hay diferencias en el consumo de suplementos nutricionales deportivos entre powerlifters internacionales y nacionales

The scientific literature regarding the evaluation of the consumption of sports nutritional supplements (SND) in strength sports, such as powerlifting, is scarce and most studies have poor quality methodologies, having created myths and pseudosciences in the sector. In order to provide recommendations on SND based on the level of scientific evidence, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has created a SND classification based on the level of scientific evidence. Aims: To know, from a quantitative and qualitative point of view, the SNDs used by powerlifters that compete at an international and national level. Methods and Material: 32 powerlifter (10 international and 22 national) filled a daily SND for 72 hours. Statistical analysis used: A non-parametric Mann-Witney U test was performed for independent samples in order to verify differences in the number of total supplements consumed, as well as the number of supplements consumed in each category established by the AIS. In addition, a χ 2 test was applied to compare differences in the frequency of supplement consumption among athletes of different categories. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: No differences were observed when comparing powerlifters of international and national level in terms of the number of SND consumed. There were also no statistically significant differences in SND consumption according to the level of evidence, although it was observed that international athletes consumed more than those categorized with greater evidence (p>0.05). Conclusions: Although international powerlifters tended to consume supplements with a higher level of scientific evidence, significant statistical differences were not reached and, therefore, our hypothesis was not met.La literatura científica referente a la evaluación del consumo de suplementos nutricionales deportivos (SND) en deportes de fuerza, como el powerlifting, es escasa, y la mayoría de estudios poseen metodologías de baja calidad, habiendo creado mitos y pseudociencias en el sector. Con objeto de dar recomendaciones sobre SND en base a nivel de evidencia científica, el Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) ha creado una clasificación de SND basada en nivel de evidencia científica. Objetivos: evaluar las posibles diferencias en el patrón de consumo y elección de SND en powerlifters internacionales y nacionales. Materiales y Métodos: 32 powerlifter (10 de nivel internacional y 22 nacional) rellenaron un diario de consumo de SND durante 72 horas. Análisis Estadístico: Se realizó un test no paramétrico de U de Mann-Witney para muestras independientes con objeto de comprobar diferencias en el número de suplementos totales consumidos, así como el número de suplementos consumidos de cada categoría establecida por el AIS. Además, se aplicó un test de χ 2 para comparar las diferencias en la frecuencia de consumo de suplementos entre los deportistas de distintas categorías. El nivel de significación estadística se fijó en p<0,05. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en el número de SND consumidos entre powerlifters de nivel internacional vs nivel nacional (3,20 ± 2,44 vs 3,32 ± 2,57 F=0,069, P=0,903). Tampoco se puo observar diferencias en relación al consumo de SND en ningunas de las categorías basadas en nivel de evidencia descritos por el AIS ni en la proporción de utilización de los distintos SND consumidos (p>0,05). Conclusiones: Aunque los powerlifters internacionales tendieron a consumir suplementos con un mayor nivel de evidencia científica, no se alcanzaron diferencias estadísticas significativas y, por tanto, no se cumplió nuestra hipótesis