The prevalence, knowledge and reasons for carbohydrate, protein, creatine and glutamine use among first team rugby players in premier rugby schools in the Western Cape Province

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Nutrition plays an important role in optimal athletic performance as 'strengthand-power athletes like rugby players would go to great lengths to increase their impact in this competitive environment. As a result, additional nutritional strategies are adopted.However, the potential adverse effects of such strategies on their health and the impact of these strategies on moral development are unclear. Healthcare professionals are concerned about theperformance-enhancing supplements that young athletes are using. Research methodology: This cross-sectional study design used a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of specific questions to determine the prevalence and knowledge of and reasons for carbohydrate,protein, creatine and glutamine use among adolescent rugby players. Participants consisted of 189 rugby players from four League A and six League B rugby schools in the Western Cape, including 18 of their coaches. Results: The majority of players used carbohydrates (92%) followed by protein (79%) while only 37% of the players reported using creatine and glutamine. The prevalence of protein and glutamine use among League A players wassignificantly higher compared to League B players (90% vs. 69%, p<0.001 and 59% vs. 17%, p<0.001 for protein and glutamine respectively). The overall knowledge scores were poor (43%) with League A players performing significantly better than League B players (48% vs.39%, p<0.001). Knowledge regarding the role of glutamine supplementation in particular was very poor. The majority of players indicated that they need education regarding supplementation and that they have not consulted a dietitian on diet and supplement use. The main reported reason for using carbohydrate supplements was to reduce fatigue/increase energy (46%) followed by an increase in muscle mass/strength (29%). Protein is reportedly consumedfirstly to increase muscle mass/strength (72%) and secondly to enhance muscle recovery (24%). Creatine is predominantly used to increase muscle mass/strength while glutamine is reportedly used to enhance muscle recovery. The main source of supplement information is thecoach (28%), followed by the trainer (19%) and the supplement representative (16%). Only a few of the players were aware of the amount of carbohydrates (4%), protein (22%), creatine (13%) and glutamine (4%) supplements they consumed on a daily or weekly basis with the exception of the 29% of League B players who were aware of the dose of protein they were consuming. Discussion: The majority of the rugby players in this study used CHO, followedby protein supplements, with fewer using creatine and glutamine. It was evident from the findings of this study that knowledge about safe and appropriate supplement use is currently lacking in both League A and League B rugby schools in the Western Cape. The main reasons why these rugby players use supplements are to increase energy or reduce fatigue, to increase muscle mass and to assist with muscle recovery.According to these rugby players, carbohydrates will assist to increase energy/reduce fatigue and, similar to protein, increase muscle mass and assist with recovery. There is a misconceptionregarding the reasons for creatine and glutamine use. Additionally, the minority of the athletes were aware of the amount of supplements they consumed on a daily or weekly basis. Athletes looked to coaches and trainers for nutritional information, while these coaches and trainers alsolacked supplement knowledge. Developing an educational programme for coaches, athletes and all involved in high school rugby, based on the latest scientific research, would benefit schools and athletes.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University