(62) AN EVALUATION OF HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION BELIEFS AND KNOWLEDGE

While research on the use of supplements among adult athletes is well known, few studies have been conducted with young adult athletes. Similar to their adult counterparts, it has been reported that 22.3% to 71% high school athletes (ages 14-18 yrs) use some form of supplementation.  However, factors that influence young athletes to use supplements and where they are acquiring their knowledge from is scarcely reported.  PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine from what sources high school athletes are acquiring their knowledge and beliefs about nutritional supplementation information. METHODS: One hundred sixty-four Rhode Island high school athletes (age: 17+1.19 yrs; women: n=47; men: n=107; persons identifying as from an underrepresented group: 37%) were invited to complete a cross-sectional online survey to assess their sports nutritional supplementation knowledge. Bivariate statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis with the creation of 11 predictive models with a statistical significance set to a p-value of less than 0.05 and reporting of odds ratios (OR). Adjusted and base odds ratios were calculated for all models. RESULTS: Thirteen percent reported they retrieve their nutritional supplementation information from the internet as a sole source.  Seventy-three percent reported using the internet in conjunction with other sources. No significance was found in supplementation behaviors when comparing the use of the internet in conjunction with advice from coaches and teammates or internet in conjunction with advice from parents. However, when the model was adjusted for modifying factors, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds significantly impacted the acquisition of knowledge models of using the internet over parents (p=0.018, OR=1.73), coaches and teammates (p=0.025, OR=1.48) and professional guidance (p=0.022, OR=1.6). In addition, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds was the only significant modifier in using the internet to shape their beliefs on supplements safety, specifically, whether all supplements carry risks (p=0.024, OR=1.55), some supplements carry risks (p=0.021, OR=1.57) or no supplements is safe (p=0.026, OR=1.39). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest young athletes are choosing the internet to get their knowledge acquisition and beliefs about supplementation safety and that this result is primarily impacted by persons from underrepresented backgrounds. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Nutritional supplementation education programs delivered both from a public health and performance standpoint should be delivered through the internet and with the consideration of athletes from underrepresented backgrounds to optimize success. Additionally, coaches and parents should be aware of the methods young athletes are attaining nutritional supplementation information from and encourage exposure to sources of nutritional supplementation information that are driven by science and fact.

Acknowledgements: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Clean Competition Grant from the RI Foundation.