Dietary supplement use in sport gyms in Braço do Norte city

Abstract

The amount of people enrolled in fitness centers is increasing, as well as the use of nutritional supplements by physical exercise practitioners. The objective of this study was to verify the consumption of nutritional supplements by physical exercise practitioners in Braço do Norte, identifying the most used supplements, indication and the profile of the users. A survey was conducted in March and April 2017, it was applied a questionnaire containing 12 questions about the use of nutritional supplements. The sample consisted of 278 people, average age 31.22 years (SD = 9.71), 97 men and 181 women. Most subjects practiced physical exercises from three to six hours a week and practiced bodybuilding. Their goals were: to be healthy, to gain muscle and to lose weight. Supplements were used among 38.5% of the participants and 95.3% of them say they are satisfied. The most commonly used supplement was hyperproteins (85.0%). The main purpose mentioned for the use of supplements was to gain muscle mass (82.2%). Among the users, 52.3% received indication from nutritionists. There was association between supplementary consumption and gender, age group, educational level and time practicing physical exercise. A greater number of users were men, with ages ranging from 18 to 29 years old, complete higher education and practice of physical exercise for over one year. It is concluded that the consumption of nutritional supplements in the researched fitness centers is significant and that future studies are necessary so that this environment can be understood and considered physically healthy.