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Espeño PR, Ong AKS, German JD, Gumasing MJJ, Casas ES. Analysis of Actual Fitness Supplement Consumption among Health and Fitness Enthusiasts. Foods 2024; 13:1424. [PMID: 38731795 PMCID: PMC11083979 DOI: 10.3390/foods13091424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
With the rising popularity of fitness supplements, understanding the factors driving their consumption behaviors is crucial. This study investigated the actual consumption of fitness supplements utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Health Belief Model (HBM), and the Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity (TEMPA) frameworks. The TPB provided insights into how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence individuals' intentions to consume fitness supplements. Additionally, the HBM sheds light on perceived effectiveness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation related to supplement consumption. Integrating the TEMPA framework further investigated the role of effort minimization in physical activity contexts. Through an online questionnaire, data were collected from a sample of 250 fitness supplement-consuming respondents. SEM analysis revealed significant associations between behavioral intentions and attitudes, perceived behavioral control, health motivation, and controlled precursors. However, it was seen that subjective norms, perceived effectiveness, perceived benefits, and automatic precursors were deemed insignificant. The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping actual consumption behaviors, offering valuable implications for marketers, health professionals, and policymakers seeking to promote informed and responsible supplement use among health and fitness enthusiasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Renzo Espeño
- School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines
| | - Ardvin Kester S. Ong
- School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines
- E.T. Yuchengo School of Business, Mapúa University, 1191 Pablo Ocampo Sr. Ext., Makati 1204, Philippines
| | - Josephine D. German
- School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines
| | - Ma. Janice J. Gumasing
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Ave., Manila 1007, Philippines
| | - Ethan S. Casas
- School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines
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Forsyth A, Mantzioris E. An online exploratory survey of Australian athletes' and exercisers' use of and attitudes towards ultra-processed sports foods. Br J Nutr 2023; 130:1625-1636. [PMID: 36999372 PMCID: PMC10551470 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114523000648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Sports foods are convenient alternatives to everyday foods to fuel performance. Strong scientific evidence supports their use; however, commercial sports foods are classified by the NOVA system as ultra-processed foods (UPF). Consumption of UPF has been associated with poor mental and physical health, but little is known about athletes' consumption of and attitudes towards sports foods as a source of UPF. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess Australian athletes' intake of and attitudes towards sports foods and UPF. Adult athletes were recruited to complete an anonymous online survey via social media between October 2021 and February 2022. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson's χ2 test was used to assess potential relationships between categorical demographic variables and consumption of sports foods. One hundred forty Australian adults participating in recreational (n 55), local/regional (n 52), state (n 11), national (n 14) or international (n 9) sports completed the survey. Ninety-five percent reported consuming sports foods within the past 12 months. Participants consumed sports drinks most commonly (73 %) and isolated protein supplements most frequently (40 % at least once per week). Participants reported everyday foods to be more affordable, taste better, present less risk of banned substances, but less convenient and greater risk of spoilage. Half (51 %) of participants reported concern about health effects of UPF. Participants reported regular UPF consumption despite taste and cost-related preferences for everyday foods and health concerns regarding UPF intake. Athletes may need support to identify and access safe, affordable, convenient, minimally processed alternatives to sports foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Forsyth
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Evangeline Mantzioris
- Clinical and Health Sciences & Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Ortiz de Zevallos J, Hogwood AC, Kruse K, De Guzman J, Buckley M, Weltman AL, Allen JD. Sex differences in the effects of inorganic nitrate supplementation on exercise economy and endurance capacity in healthy young adults. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:1157-1166. [PMID: 37823208 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00220.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary nitrate (NO3-) is a widely used supplement purported to provide beneficial effects during exercise. Most studies to date include predominantly males. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate if there is a sex-dependent effect of NO3- supplementation on exercise outcomes. We hypothesized that both sexes would exhibit improvements in exercise economy and exercise capacity following NO3- supplementation, but males would benefit to a greater extent. In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, twelve females (24 ± 4 yr) and fourteen males (23 ± 4 yr) completed two 4-min moderate-intensity (MOD) exercise bouts followed by a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) task after following 3 days of NO3- supplementation (beetroot juice or BRJ) or NO3--depleted placebo (PL). Females were tested during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. During MOD exercise, BRJ reduced the steady-state V̇o2 by ∼5% in males (M: Δ -87 ± 115 mL·min-1; P < 0.05) but not in females (F: Δ 6 ± 195 mL·min-1). Similarly, BRJ extended TTE by ∼15% in males (P < 0.05) but not in females. Dietary NO3- supplementation improved exercise economy during moderate-intensity exercise and exercise capacity during severe-intensity TTE in males but not in females. These differences could be related to estrogen levels, antioxidant capacity, nitrate-reducing bacteria, or a variety of known physiologic differences such as skeletal muscle calcium handling, and/or fiber type. Overall, our data suggests the ergogenic benefits of oral NO3- supplementation found in studies predominantly on male subjects may not be applicable to females.NEW & NOTEWORTHY While inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation has increased in popularity as an ergogenic aid to improve exercise performance, the role of sex in NO3- supplementation on exercise outcomes is lacking despite known physiological differences during exercise between sex. This study revealed that males, but not females, improved exercise economy during submaximal exercise and exercise capacity during exercise within the severe-intensity domain following NO3- supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Ortiz de Zevallos
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Austin C Hogwood
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Ka'eo Kruse
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Jeison De Guzman
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Meredith Buckley
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Arthur L Weltman
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Jason D Allen
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
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Aly MO, Ghobashy SM, Aborhyem SM. Authentication of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and total energy in commercialized high protein sports foods with their labeling data. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15359. [PMID: 37717050 PMCID: PMC10505191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The popularity of high-protein sports food items among athletes and the bodybuilding community has risen dramatically. This study aimed to authenticate the reported per serving food label content of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and total energy in commercially available high-protein sports foods available in Egyptian markets. A cross-sectional study was performed on a total of forty-five samples of nine products that included protein bars, cookies, vegan bars, puffs, whey protein, protein drinks, peanut butter, pancake mix, and Greek yogurt. Protein and fat analysis were done according to Kheldahl and Folich methods, respectively, while carbohydrate was calculated by difference. Total energy was calculated according to their content. A significant (p < 0.001) difference was found between the laboratory-assessed content and the reported food label values in protein, carbohydrate, and energy. Protein sport food products had significantly lower protein content (11.6 ± 4.67) obtained from laboratory measurement than the label reported value (17.17 ± 7.22). The fat content in vegan protein was 149.3% higher than the label values (1.67 vs. 0.67 g/serving). The mean fat content per serving of 30 out of 45 samples was significantly higher than the food label values in the bar (37.8%), puffs (32.7%), vegan protein (149.3%), and protein drinks (28.6%). These differences may result in compromised performance and undesired fat gain, as opposed to a desired increase in muscle mass, which could compromise the desired impact of the consumed sports foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged Ossama Aly
- Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 165 El-Horreya Ave. El-Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Somia Mohamed Ghobashy
- Central Laboratories, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Samar Mohamed Aborhyem
- Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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López-Torres O, Rodríguez-Longobardo C, Capel-Escoriza R, Fernández-Elías VE. Ergogenic Aids to Improve Physical Performance in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010081. [PMID: 36615738 PMCID: PMC9823656 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Most intervention studies investigating the effects of ergogenic aids (EAs) on sports performance have been carried out in the male population. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the effects in the existing literature of EAs used by female athletes on performance. A literature research was conducted, and a descriptive analysis of the articles included in the systematic review was carried out. Meta-analyses could be performed on 32 of the included articles, evaluating performance in strength, sprint, and cardiovascular capacity. A random-effects model and the standardized mean differences (SMD) ± 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. The results showed that caffeine helped to improve jumping performance, isometric strength values, and the number of repetitions until failure. Caffeine and sodium phosphate helped to improve sprint performance. Aerobic tests could be improved with the use of taurine, caffeine, and beta-alanine. No conclusive effects of beetroot juice, polyphenols, or creatine in improving aerobic performance were shown. In terms of anaerobic variables, both caffeine and sodium phosphate could help to improve repeated sprint ability. More studies are needed in female athletes that measure the effects of different EAs on sports performance, such as beetroot juice, beta-alanine or sodium phosphate, as the studies to date are scarce and there are many types of EA that need to be further considered in this population, such as creatine and taurine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga López-Torres
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Rodríguez-Longobardo
- Social Sciences of Physical Activity, Sport and Leisure Department, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Raquel Capel-Escoriza
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
- Raquel Wellness Instituto de Nutrición y Salud, 28050 Madrid, Spain
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Aguilar-Navarro M, Baltazar-Martins G, Brito de Souza D, Muñoz-Guerra J, Del Mar Plata M, Del Coso J. Gender Differences in Prevalence and Patterns of Dietary Supplement Use in Elite Athletes. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT 2021; 92:659-668. [PMID: 32809924 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1764469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Dietary supplement use by athletes has been the topic of previous research; however, the lack of homogeneity among published studies makes it difficult to analyze the differences, if any, in the patterns of use between male and female athletes. The aim of this study was to determine gender differences in the patterns of dietary supplement use by elite athletes. Methods: A total of 504 elite athletes (329 males and 175 females) participating in individual and team sports completed a validated questionnaire on dietary supplement use during the preceding season. The dietary supplements were categorized according to the latest IOC consensus statement. Results: A higher proportion of male versus female athletes (65.3 versus 56.5%, p < .05) consumed dietary supplements. Both male and female athletes reported a similar mean consumption of dietary supplements (3.2 ± 2.1 versus 3.4 ± 2.3 supplements/season, respectively; p = .45). Protein supplements were the most commonly consumed supplements in male athletes (49.8%) and their prevalence was higher than in female athletes (29.3%, p < .01). In females, multivitamins (39.4%) and branched-chain amino acids (39.4%) were the most commonly consumed supplements and iron supplementation was more prevalent than in males (22.2% versus 10.2%, p = .01). A higher proportion of male athletes relied on themselves to plan dietary supplements use (48.0%), while female appeared to rely more on doctors (34.0%, p < .01). Conclusion: In summary, male athletes had a slightly higher prevalence in the use of supplements than their female counterparts, specifically regarding protein supplements, and were more involved in the self-prescription of supplements.
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