Use of permitted drugs in Italian professional soccer players.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency and quantity of usage of permitted drugs by Italian professional soccer players.


METHODS
A cohort of 1041 professional soccer players from the two Italian major leagues was assembled during the season 2003-4; 743 of the 785 (94.6%) subjects available on the day of the interview answered an epidemiological questionnaire, which included questions on the type and frequency of use of several permitted drugs.


RESULTS
92.6% of players reported having used oral anti-inflammatory products in the previous year, and most of them were current users (86.1%). 36% of the players, mostly current users, reported the use of analgesics. 82.8% of the players reported current use of supplements, and 28% reported using vitamins.


CONCLUSIONS
The regular use of several permitted drugs is very high among professional soccer players. The description of players' behaviour is the first step towards regular monitoring of the players' need for, and use of, vitamins, supplements and other permitted drugs.
Taioli
Emanuela
E
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. taiolien@upmc.edu
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D012916:Soccer; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014815:Vitamins