Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes relating to β-alanine use among professional footballers

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• 作者：Vincent G. Kelly^a ; ^b ; ^{v.kelly2@uq.edu.au} ; Michael D. Leveritt^a ; Christopher T. Brennan^a ; Gary J. Slater^c ; David G. Jenkins^a
• 关键词：Supplement ; Questionnaire ; Football ; Sport
• 刊名：Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：January 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：20
• 期：1
• 页码：12-16
• 全文大小：558 K
• 卷排序：20

文摘

To investigate β-alanine supplementation use and level of knowledge amongst professional footballers.DesignCross-sectional survey of Australian professional football players.MethodsQuestionnaires assessing β-alanine supplementation behaviours, level of knowledge and sources of information were completed by professional rugby union (RU) (n = 87), rugby league (RL) (n = 180) and Australian Rules Football (ARF) (n = 303) players.ResultsApproximately 61% of athletes reported β-alanine use, however use by ARF football players (44%) was lower than that of RU (80%) and RL players (80%). The majority of respondents were not using β-alanine in accordance with recommendations. Only 35% of the participants were able to correctly identify the potential benefits of β-alanine supplementation. The main information sources that influenced players’ decision to use β-alanine were strength and conditioning coach (71%) and dietitian (52%). Forty-eight per cent of athletes never read labels prior to supplementing and only 11% completed their own research on β-alanine. Compared to RL and ARF players, RU players had both a greater knowledge of β-alanine supplementation and better supplementation practices.ConclusionsDespite over half the surveyed professional footballers using β-alanine, the majority of athletes used β-alanine in a manner inconsistent with recommendations. A better understanding of the environment and culture within professional football codes is required before supplement use becomes consistent with evidence based supplement recommendations.