2025 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 95-104
The purpose of this study was to clarify the history and awareness of supplement use among athletes.
A qualitative survey regarding the use and awareness of supplements was conducted by interview with 45 players from a university baseball team.
Of the 45 athletes, 42 (93.3%) had used supplements. Protein supplements were the most commonly mentioned by 31 (73.8% 4, in addition to more than 20 other supplements. The athletes began using supplements in college (12/42, 28.5%), high school (20/42, 47.6%), or elementary/junior high school (10/42, 23.8%). Regarding the reason for starting supplement use, 30/45 (71.4%) were recommended to do so by people around them such as their parents, coaches, or friends. In questions about their awareness of supplements in terms of shape, 41/45 (91.1%) recognized supplements in tablet form, 38/45 (84.4%) as powder, and 19/45 (42.2%) as jelly. Of the total participants, 23 (51.1%) had previously received education about supplements. Some athletes used supplements without receiving any education, while others had been using them before receiving any education. Furthermore, 32/42 athletes (76.2%) thought supplements were necessary, with 6/12 (50.0%) starting to use them in college, 18/20 (90.0%) in high school, and 8/10 (80.0%) in elementary or junior high school.
In conclusion, 93.3% of the total participants had used supplements, in various forms, and the time of first use ranged from elementary school to university. Approximately 90% of respondents recognized supplements in the form of tablets or powders, but recognition in shapes similar to food (such as jelly) differed depending on the athlete. Among those who started using supplements during elementary, junior high, or high school, over 80% felt a continued need for supplements. Almost half of the present athletes had received no education about supplements, which suggests the need for specialized education about supplements at all age levels.
