CARACTERIZATION OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS USE BY PERSONS PRACTICING PHYSICAL EXERCISE AT GYMS

Abstract

Introduction: There is an increasingly common search for nutritional supplements among gym clients, often without appropriate orientation. Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to determine the use of nutritional supplements by persons practicing physical exercise at gyms in Ribeirão Preto-SP and the impact of this in the body composition.Methods: A questionnaire was applied to 102 males aged 20 to 40 years at 10 gyms in Ribeirão Preto-SP. After responding to the questionnaire, 30 individuals were submitted to evaluation of body composition and classified into 3 groups of 10 subjects each: no consumption of supplements (CG), exclusive consumption of protein supplements (PG), and use of protein-energy supplements (PEG). Results: The results showed that 52% of the subjects consumed some type of supplement. Muscle building was practiced by 92% of the interviewees, with an increase in lean mass being the major objective reported. The amount of protein consumed by PG and PEG subjects by ingesting the supplements represented, on average, 47% and 48%, respectively, of the daily protein needs considering the recommendation of 1 g protein/kg body weight. While the nutritionist is the professional most frequently associated with diets, the muscle building instructor is the professional most frequently consulted by the gym clients for the use of supplements. The evaluation of body composition revealed similar percent lean mass and percent body fat for the subjects who used supplements or not..Conclusion : The consumption of supplements by gym clients is elevated, often without appropriate specialized guidance, with no difference in body composition being observed when these products are consumed.