Prevalence of nutritional supplements in gyms

Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation Compared With Caffeine and a Placebo Does Not Improve Repetitions to Failure in Resistance-Trained Women

There has been an increase in the use of commercially available multi-ingredient preworkout supplements (MIPS); however, there are inconsistencies regarding the efficacy of MIPS in resistance-trained women.

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of varying doses of MIPS compared with caffeine only (C) and a placebo (PL) on resistance-training performance in trained women.

METHODS

Ten women (21.5 [2.3] y) completed 1-repetition-maximum tests at baseline for leg press and bench press. A within-group, double-blind, and randomized design was used to assign supplement drinks (ie, PL, C, MIPS half scoop [MIPS-H], and MIPS full scoop [MIPS-F]). Repetitions to failure were assessed at 75% and 80% to 85% of 1-repetition maximum for bench and leg press, respectively. Total performance volume was calculated as load × sets × repetitions for each session. Data were analyzed using a 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and reported as means and SDs.

RESULTS

There were no differences in repetitions to failure for bench press (PL: 14.4 [3.2] repetitions, C: 14.4 [2.9] repetitions, MIPS-H: 14.2 [2.6] repetitions, MIPS-F: 15.1 [3.1] repetitions; P = .54) or leg press (PL: 13.9 [7.8] repetitions, C: 10.8 [5.9] repetitions, MIPS-H: 13.1 [7.1] repetitions, MIPS-F: 12.4 [10.7] repetitions; P = .44). Furthermore, there were no differences in total performance volume across supplements for bench press (PL: 911.2 [212.8] kg, C: 910.7 [205.5] kg, MIPS-H: 913.6 [249.3] kg, MIPS-F: 951.6 [289.6] kg; P = .39) or leg press (PL: 4318.4 [1633.6] kg, C: 3730.0 [1032.5] kg, MIPS-H: 4223.0 [1630.0] kg, MIPS-F: 4085.5 [2098.3] kg; P = .34).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings suggest that caffeine and MIPS do not provide ergogenic benefits for resistance-trained women in delaying muscular failure.

Usage of nutritional supplements and its side effects among gym goers in Pune

Nutritional supplements have always been a point of attractionfor physically active people. These have improved exercise performance,increased muscular strength, weight gain or weight loss,etc. The irrational use of supplements has led to various side effectsassociated with them. There is a shortage of evidence suggestingthe usage and knowledge regarding the consumption ofdietary supplements. A cross-sectional study was conducted witha 121 sample size randomly chosen from 5 different zones of thecity. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect informationwherein participants reported their demographics, physical activity,supplement usage patterns, source of information, and side effects.Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, was used with p<0.05 as significant.Samples used different dosages, forms, brands, and accessto supplements. The participants coming to the gym for moreextended periods were likely to consume supplements in higherdosages (p = 0.020). Protein powder was consumed by 97.5% ofthe samples. There was a significant association between differenttypes of supplements across gender, age group, and period of exercisingin the gym. Side effects such as cramps (p = 0.015) andnausea were significantly associated with high dosages of supplementconsumption. The majority of them (51.2%) took advice fromtrainers. Only 9.9% consulted dieticians. Individuals consumed supplementswithout the guidance of any health professionals, whichwas predisposing them to various side effects. This reflects a lackof knowledge and awareness of supplement usage and highlightseducating various stakeholders and gym-goers.