Being aware of Risks

U14’s Nutrition Supplements Being aware of Risks

Athletes need to be aware;

That supplements carry a doping risk, and that you are personally responsible to ensure the products you choose do not contain banned or harmful substances.
That there is the potential risk of real, or accidental contamination of products with ingredients or substances that may result in a positive doping test (ie things that don’t appear on the label)
That the principle of “strict liability” applies. This means that athletes are ultimately responsible for all substances found in their bodies, whether intended or inadvertently present.

So where can you go to find out more info about these types of supplements, how they work and which ones carry less risk?

The Australian Institute of Sport has an established and world recognised program that provides information to athletes to guide on supplements, sports foods and ergogenic aids. The AIS Sports Supplement Framework organises supplements into categories (ABCD) based on ;

Whether the product is safe?

Permitted for use in sport (legal) –

Individual ingredients listed on products can be checked on Global Drug Reference Online (Globaldro) which provides information on the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) prohibited ingredients (and medications). https://www.globaldro.com/AU/search.

Sometimes ingredients/substances are present in products, but not listed on the product panel. Looking for products that have been independently batch tested and found to be free from contaminants/ingredients that may cause a positive doping test can be found at www.hasta.org.au and www.informed-sport.com These are well established, independent testing organisation which offer batch testing, and certification programs for supplement companies. Their websites contain lists of certified products, and you can look for these certified logos on products as a way of lowering your risk of consuming a banned substance.

Athletes are also advised to download the Sports Integrity Australia app which is a great resource to refer to and contains an easy-to-use medication and supplement checker functions. Sports Integrity Australia also have a great information and free access to a range of e-learning modules on their website. This information is useful for athletes.

The level of scientific support for the use those products (effective)

GROUP A SUPPLEMENTS: Strong Scientific Evidence for use in specific situations in sport using evidence-based protocols.

GROUP B SUPPLEMENTS: Emerging scientific support, deserving of further research. Considered for use by athletes under a research protocol or case managed monitoring situation

GROUP C SUPPLEMENTS: Scientific Evidence not supportive of benefit among athletes OR no research undertaken to guide an informed opinion

GROUP D SUPPLEMENTS: Banned or at high risk of contamination with substances that could lead to a positive doping test.

The AIS website, also houses some really helpful info sheets for athletes on a range of sports food and supplement products, so be sure to check them out.

Click here

The number one goal always, is to maintain the safety, health and well-being of athletes, by ensuring all supplements if recommended for use, are safe, legal, ethical and that their use is based on sound scientific and/or medical evidence. Seek input from an expert such and Accredited Sports Dietitian to assist with this.

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