Evaluation of the Use of Nutrition Support Products in Taekwondo Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the use of nutrition support products by male and female athletes who are involved in taekwondo and their level of knowledge in this respect. The sample group was formed with male and female (n=300) athletes who are actively involved in taekwondo. 300 of the collected questionnaires, which were determined to have been filled in correctly, were evaluated. Of the questionnaires evaluated, 108 belonged to female taekwondo athletes and 192 belonged to male taekwondo athletes. The arithmetic average, standard deviation and percent frequency (%) distributions of the obtained data were calculated. It was stated that 47.4% of male athletes and 41.7% of female athletes use the nutrition support products and the most preferred products by male athletes are protein powder (38%); amino acid (18.2%); vitamin (13.5%); mineral 8.9%; creatine (9.4%) and other nutrition support products (%12). It was found that female athletes also use the same products and these products are protein powder (30.6%); amino acid (15.7%); vitamin (18.5%); mineral 13%; creatine (8.3%) and other nutrition support products (13.9%). It was determined that the use of nutrition support products in male athletes was provided through doctor (20.8%), pharmacist (10.9%), friends (10.4%) and neighbors (3.6%), and in female athletes, through doctor (23.1%), pharmacist (16.7%), friends (6.5%) and neighbors (2.8%). Reasons for taekwondo athletes to use nutrition support products were to improve their athletic performance for 65.1% of males and 67.6% of females, and to cope with the fatigue for 17.2% of males and 17.6% of females. Our study results show that athletes who are involved in taekwondo use nutrition support products at a high level in order to increase their athletic performances. It is important for athletes using nutrition support products to use these products under the supervision of an expert for their health.