Medication use by athletes during the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the use of food supplements and pharmaceutical preparations by elite Paralympic athletes.


METHODS
Survey study.


METHODS
Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.


METHODS
Data obtained from two sources: (i) athletes' declaration of intake of drugs/supplements recorded on the Doping Control Official Record during sample collection for doping control; (ii) athletes' application forms for granting of a therapeutic use exemption.


METHODS
Classification of declared food supplements according to the active ingredient and medications according to therapeutic actions and active compounds.


RESULTS
64.2% of the athletes tested for doping control declared use of medications or food supplements, and 81.3% of these athletes declared intake of fewer than four preparations. Non-invasive routes of administration dominated. Food supplements (42.1%) were popular, and drugs used to treat several pathological conditions noted. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics were commonly used (9.8% and 5.6%, respectively). The prevalence of inhaled beta2-agonist use (4.8%) was higher than expected and exceeded that at the Athens Olympic Games.


CONCLUSIONS
This review, the first to examine elite Paralympic athletes, shows a more rational approach to the use of medication and food supplements, but a similar consumption pattern to that of athletes at the Athens Olympic Games. Because of the dearth of such studies, consumption trends among Paralympic athletes remain unclear. The need to counsel athletes with disabilities on their nutritional needs is confirmed, and close monitoring by healthcare professionals is recommended.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
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C
Tsitsimpikou
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Jamurtas
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Fitch
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Papalexis
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Tsarouhas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult