College Directors of Recreation's Perceptions and Practices regarding Student Use of Dietary Supplements and Performance Enhancing Substances

Abstract

Dietary supplement (DS) use is widespread among college students. The use of performance enhancing supplements (PES) may be primed to increase among college students due to internet availability and social pressure to attain a fit physique. A 40-item survey was sent to a random sample of 600 college Directors of Recreation in the U.S. to determine their perceptions of student use of DS and PES. Despite concern for student use of DS and PES, 11% of college recreation facilities sold DS to students. Less than 1% of the Directors of Recreation surveyed correctly identified the common signs of PES use, 80% lacked a written PES policy, 62% lacked formal education on PES, and 67% lacked formal education on DS. Formal training may be needed for Directors of Recreation and recreation center staff to clarify the warning signs of PES use and outline the potential dangers of selling DS to patrons.