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

Vincent G Kelly; Michael D Leveritt; Christopher T Brennan; Gary J Slater; David G Jenkins

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2016.06.006

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

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

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

Vincent G Kelly, Michael D Leveritt, Christopher T Brennan, Gary J Slater and David G Jenkins

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.20(1), pp.12-16

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.06.006

PMID: 27372274

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Abstract

supplement

questionnaire

football

sport

Objectives: To investigate β-alanine supplementation use and level of knowledge amongst professional footballers. Design: Cross-sectional survey of Australian professional football players. Methods: Questionnaires 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. Results: Approximately 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. Conclusions: Despite 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.

Details

Title: Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes relating to β-alanine use among professional footballers
Authors: Vincent G Kelly (Author) - University of Queensland
Michael D Leveritt (Author) - University of Queensland
Christopher T Brennan (Author) - University of Queensland
Gary J Slater (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
David G Jenkins (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.20(1), pp.12-16
Publisher: Elsevier Australia
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.06.006
ISSN: 1440-2440
PMID: 27372274
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450339002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences