Preferences in the use of ergogenic AIDS in regular strength trainees

Abstract

Background: The ergogenic effect is a highly practical and relevant topic in sports research, particularly in strength sports where numerous strategies have gained widespread recognition. Despite reports indicating challenges in the simultaneous use of various ergogenic strategies, our understanding of how they are practically employed is limited. This study aimed to determine and evaluate preferences in the use of nutritional and non-nutritional means of eliciting the ergogenic effect of individuals regularly participating in strength training.Materials and Methods: A total of 108 participants completed an original, online questionary shared on social media sites and created using Google Forms. Significance of differences was determined with Chi-square test.Results: A significant majority of responders declared use of nutritional (90%) and non-nutritional (62%) ergogenic aids, however only insignificant majority declared simultaneously using more than one ergogenic aid (56%). The most popular nutritional means of eliciting the ergogenic effect were caffein, coffee and creatine; non-nutritional were listening to music and dynamic stretching; the most popular combinations of two means of eliciting the ergogenic effect were caffeine with music and caffeine with creatine; and the most popular combinations of three means of eliciting the ergogenic effect were caffeine with creatine and music. Only age of participants influenced preferences in use of ergogenic means, where group 18 – 25 declared using non-nutritional means of eliciting ergogenic effect significantly more frequent.Conclusion: Results of the study indicate that the majority of polish as well as foreign strength trainees employ ergogenic aids, typically favoring well-established options supported by scientific literature.