[Relationship between consumption of sports supplements and addiction to sport in road and mountain runners].

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: sports nutrition and supplementation (SD) are commonly used by road and mountain runners to achieve their goals and increased performance. However, sometimes sports practice can become an obsession and/or addiction, although the literature on the use of DS and sports addiction (SD) is scarce. Objective: to describe and analyse the relationship between SD use and AD in asphalt and mountain runners in the Canary Islands. Methodology: a cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 613 adult athletes, using a self-administered online questionnaire that assessed SD use and AD, disseminated by federations, sports clubs, race organisers and social networks. Results: 75.7 % of participants reported taking some form of SD and being younger was associated with a higher likelihood of taking SD. On the total SD scale (SAS-15) the mean was 9.19 (SD = 3.24), above the midpoint of the theoretical range (0-15). Among participants taking and not taking DS, there is higher AD in those taking versus those not; and among those taking DS, AD is significantly higher in those taking weight management recoverers and supplements. Conclusions: the sample had indicators of WD and, for the most part, were consuming some form of DS. In addition, there is a significant relationship between the use of DS and WD in road and mountain runners, with the level of WD being a predictor of DS consumption.