Commentary on “Protein powders, painkillers, and pleasure: Reasons for exercise and the use of dietary supplements and analgesics among recreational half-marathoners”

This commentary presents a scholarly critique of the article titled “Protein powders, painkillers, and pleasure: Reasons for exercise and the use of dietary supplements and analgesics among recreational half-marathoners” by Havermans et al. While the original study provides valuable insights into the motivations for supplement and analgesic use among recreational runners, several conceptual and methodological limitations merit further discussion. Key concerns include the reliance on self-reported data without biochemical validation, potential seasonal bias due to timing of data collection, and an oversimplified framework for understanding exercise motivation. Additionally, the underexplored role of peer influence and health literacy in shaping supplement and analgesic use behaviors is highlighted. This commentary advocates for more nuanced, multi-dimensional research designs incorporating psychosocial variables, risk perception, and longitudinal assessment to better capture the complex factors influencing health-related behaviors in recreational athletes.