Association between general self-efficacy level and use of dietary supplements in the group of American football players

This 2016 study analyzed the amount and types of dietary supplements taken by American football players and measured their self-efficacies (their beliefs in their individual capacity to execute behaviors necessary on the football field). The objective was to assess the relationship between dietary supplement intake and self-efficacy in American football players. The 100 recruited athletes were aged between 20-30 years and Polish. A survey distributed online revealed that the most popular ergogenic supplements among these American football players were isotonic drinks, vitamin and mineral supplements, and protein concentrates. Around 74% of the athletes consumed isotonic drinks, whereas supplements like caffeine and/or guarana were consumed by 44% of the sample population. Other supplements such as BCAA amino acids (39%), creatine (36%), carbohydrate concentrates (30%) and omega-3 fatty acids (30%) had lower user percentage rates. The popularity of some dietary supplements varied depending on the general self-efficacy level of the athletes. The study concluded that sportsmen with lower levels of self-efficacy used multivitamin supplements significantly more often, compared with athletes reporting higher levels of self-efficacy. [NPID: athletes, athletic performance, self-efficacy, dietary supplements, supplementation, vitamins, isotonic drinks, amino acids, creatine, sports]

Year: 2016

Reference: Gacek M. (2016). Association between general self-efficacy level and use of dietary supplements in the group of American football players. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 67(1), 31–36.