Nutritional supplements and medications in sport

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) categorized nutritional supplements (NS) in four groups: group A - approved NS, group B - NS under consideration, group C - no clear proof of beneficial effects and group D - banned NS. There are many studies with aim to describe qualitatively and quantitatively NS and medications used by elite athletes. Our group did it in several big competitions, like FIBA Europe, University games, as well as in main international competitions in three years period. In that largest study we have analyzed data collected from athletes (n = 912; age 23,9 c 6 yrs; 72% male) from national, international competitions and out-of-competition done by ADAS from 2005 - 2008. Among 2535 reported substances 69,7% (1767) were NS and 28,9% (734) medications. NS have taken by 74,6% (3,17 per athlete) and medications by 40,6% of athletes (1.98 per athlete). Almost 21,2% of all users reported use of 6 or more different products and one athlete took 17 different products at the same time. In group A of AIS classification was 56,3% and from group B, C and D, 14,4%, 32,7%, 2,2%, respectively. Majority of athletes who reported use of medication used NSAID (n = 225, 66%; 24,7% of all examined athletes). More than one NSAID was taken by 22% (50) users. In addition, more frequent use of NS among younger athletes was observed (p