What was initially surprising to me was that supplement use OVERALL dropped during that period. I figured that better and better stuff was going to come along but it seems all the major categories took a drop. Well, real food is winning out! (sometimes)
Power and strength events use more supplements than motor-skilled events, buy still saw a drop in usage across the different groups. Yet, there are five categories of supplements that saw an INCREASE in usage. These were the cream of the crop. Several of them won't be a big surprise if you are a regular reader of TheDailyFit. (more on that below)
In 2002, 81%of all the athletes used some kind of supplement. In 2009, 73% used supplements. They found that younger athletes used less supplements than older ones. My question - when you get older, do you get smarter or more desperate? The study didn't address this.
From 2002 - 2009
Amino Acids: 3.8% to 7.3% (DOUBLED!)
Fatty Acids (fish oils and others) 11% - 19% (NEARLY DOUBLED)
Homeopathic 0.4 - 1.6% (QUADRUPLED)
Multivitamins 53% - 57%
Antioxidants 0.7% - 2.0% (NEARLY TRIPLED)
The categories were not directly defined. Amino acids covers a broad range, might include protein or only specific amino acids. Antioxidants might be VitC, Resveratrol, Pycnogenol, Vit E... who knows. Homeopathic is extremely broad and even more difficult to nail down than antioxidants.
The point is - elite athletes - even when the economy is bad, still can afford a few things. The things they are buying increasingly are aminos, fish oil and antioxidants. Multi-vits still come in solid with over half of athletes using them.
Keep strong!
Brian
