Utilization of medicinal herbs among soccer athletes in the West Bank of Palestine

Introduction

Herbal supplements are popular among athletes, yet research on their types, purposes, and information sources is limited, particularly for Palestinian soccer players. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the types of herbal supplements used by young soccer athletes in the West Bank, their purposes, and the sources of information influencing their use. Understanding these aspects is crucial for safely and effectively integrating traditional remedies into modern sports nutrition.

Methods

In 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study with young soccer athletes in the West Bank. We utilized a validated survey to collect data on the types of herbal supplements, their preparation methods, and information sources. We analyzed the data for frequencies and use values (UV).

Results

Out of 165 invited athletes, 155 participated, with 144 confirming their current use of herbal supplements. The participants, aged 18–25 (mean age 20.34), employed a variety of preparation and consumption methods. Information sources comprised traditional knowledge, advice from herbalists ("Attar" in Arabic), and online trends. Herbs that enhance physical endurance and stamina had the highest UV of 3.93, highlighting their critical importance. Herbs for joint and muscle pain and central nervous system stimulation had UV of 2.28 and 2.10, respectively, reflecting their significant roles. Antistress and anabolic herbs had UVs of 1.28 and 1.21, respectively. The total UV of 10.81 indicates a substantial use of herbal supplements. We recorded 1,675 recommendations, with the primary uses being: enhancing physical endurance and strength (36.36 %), reducing joint and muscle pain (21.13 %), acting as a CNS stimulant (19.46 %), alleviating stress (11.82 %), and providing testosterone-like effects (11.22 %). The top 10 herbs were ginseng (7.46 %), small nettle (6.99 %), olive (6.63 %), date (5.85 %), chili pepper (5.43 %), green tea (5.19 %), fenugreek (4.84 %), soy (4.24 %), coffee (4.24 %), and mate (4.12 %), collectively accounting for about 55 % of all recommendations.

Conclusion

This study identifies the top 10 herbs used by soccer athletes, as well as their role in modern sports nutrition. Future research should evaluate their effectiveness and safety, focusing on herbs like date and small nettle. Educating athletes on the proper use and risks of herbal supplements is essential.