Dietary supplements

Dietary supplement use influences and effects of gender and grade by 184 adolescent athletes in ten Broward County high schools, grades nine through twelve, were examined in this study. A survey (Survey to Predict Adolescent Athletes Dietary Supplement Use) based on the Theory of Reasoned Action was used to predict how the supplement group users/non-users demonstrated a relationship with the theory components. Results yielded supplement group differences with regard to gender and grade. Regarding behavioral intention, supplement group users (current, past, or experimental) had a stronger intention to use supplements in the future than did non-users. Main effects emerged with male athletes having a stronger intention to use supplements than did females. The health risks that accompany supplement products show evidence of the need for health educators to understand more about the issue in order to establish intervention strategies.

The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of caffeine supplementation on strength and muscular endurance in resistance-trained women. In a randomized manner, 15 women consumed caffeine (6 mg/kg) or placebo (PL) seven days apart. Sixty minutes following supplementation, participants performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell bench press test and repetitions to failure at 60% of 1RM. Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed at rest, 60 minutes post-consumption, and immediately following completion of repetitions to failure. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significantly greater bench press maximum with caffeine (p<0.05) (52.9 « 11.1 kg vs. 52.1 « 11.7 kg) with no significant differences between conditions in 60% 1RM repetitions (p=0.81). Systolic blood pressure was significantly greater post-exercise, with caffeine (p<0.05) (116.8 « 5.3 mmHg vs. 112.9 « 4.9 mmHg). Our findings indicate a moderate dose of caffeine may be sufficient for enhancing strength performance in resistance-trained women.