title: Dietary supplement usage and motivation in Brazilian road runners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The consumption of dietary supplements is highest among athletes and it can represent potential a health risk for consumers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of consumption of dietary supplements by road runners.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 817 volunteers from four road races in the Brazilian running calendar. The sample consisted of 671 male and 146 female runners with a mean age of 37.9 ± 12.4 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the sample, 28.33% reported having used some type of dietary supplement. The main motivation for this consumption is to increase in stamina and improve performance. The probability of consuming dietary supplements increased 4.67 times when the runners were guided by coaches. The consumption of supplements was strongly correlated (r = 0.97) with weekly running distance, and also highly correlated (r = 0.86) with the number of years the sport had been practiced. The longer the runner had practiced the sport, the higher the training volume and the greater the intake of supplements. The five most frequently cited reasons for consumption were: energy enhancement (29.5%), performance improvement (17.1%), increased level of endurance (10.3%), nutrient replacement (11.1%), and avoidance of fatigue (10.3%). About 30% of the consumers declared more than one reason for taking dietary supplements. The most consumed supplements were: carbohydrates (52.17%), vitamins (28.70%), and proteins (13.48%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplement consumption by road runners in Brazil appeared to be guided by the energy boosting properties of the supplement, the influence of coaches, and the experience of the user. The amount of supplement intake seemed to be lower among road runners than for athletes of other sports. We recommend that coaches and nutritionists emphasise that a balanced diet can meet the needs of physically active people.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Laboratory - FISEX, FEF-UNICAMP Cidade Universitária, Physical Education Faculty, State University of Campinas, Cep:13083-851, Campinas SP 6134, Brazil ; Sport's Sciences Department, University of Campinas, Physical Education Faculty, Erico Veríssimo Av., 701., Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Vítor Vieira
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.affiliation: Food's Engineering Faculty, Department of Food and Nutrition, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pablo Christiano Barboza
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lollo
authors.affiliation: Food's Engineering Faculty, Department of Food and Nutrition, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amaya-Farfan
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Laboratory - FISEX, FEF-UNICAMP Cidade Universitária, Physical Education Faculty, State University of Campinas, Cep:13083-851, Campinas SP 6134, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mara PatríciaTraina
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chacon-Mikahil
keywords: Dietary supplements; Performance; Road race; Road runners; Running