2012, Volume 4, Issue 3

The State of Knowledge of Dietary, Physiological and Pharmacological Supplementation and the Preferential Use of These Substances by Persons Practising Recreational Bodybuilding

Marek Kruszewski¹, Władysław Jagiełło², Rafał Kutwin<sup>3

1</sup>Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw
²Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk
³Higher School of Computer Science in Lodz


Author for correspondence: Marek Kruszewski; Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw; email: marek.kruszewski[at]awf.edu.pl; dr.makrus[at]wp.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to establish preferential use of dietary, physiological and pharmacological supplementation by persons practising recreational bodybuilding and to check whether it results from the respondents’ knowledge or whether it is accidental.
Material/Methods: The group of subjects comprised 100 persons practising recreational bodybuilding in four well-known Lodz gyms. In the study the method of a diagnostic survey was used. A questionnaire containing 31 closed and opened questions constituted the research tool.
Results: It was demonstrated that the state of knowledge concerning dietary supplementation is insufficient, despite its optimistic self-assessment, and because of that the preferences as to the applied nutrients are inappropriate. The knowledge of physiological supplementation substances and preferences of their use seem appropriate, although the multitude of the mentioned means can attest to information chaos in this respect. Results of the poll seem to show that the problem of illegal pharmacological supplementation refers not only to professional sports but also, unfortunately, to recreation.
Conclusions: It is recommended to conduct a widespread informative action among persons practising recreational bodybuilding to make them aware of dietary supplementation. The majority of respondents have a sufficient level of knowledge of means of physiological supplementation, and preferences of using them seem correct. Even though the state of knowledge concerning health complications hazards when taking prohibited pharmacological supplementation should be regarded as high, still the majority of the subjects (58%) do not reject the possibility of using it. Inconsistencies of attitudes among persons practising bodybuilding recreationally manifest themselves through simultaneous support for anti-doping tests and the desire to take advantage of unlawful pharmacological supplementation.

Key words: supplementation agents, training, recreation, bodybuilding