Vitamin D is the most commonly used supplement by elite female soccer players
Dietary supplements usage by elite female football players: an exploration of current practices
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2021 Jun 4. doi: 10.1111/sms.14001
Catarina B Oliveira 1, Mónica Sousa 1 2, Rodrigo Abreu 3 4, Ângela Ferreira 4, Pedro Figueiredo 3 5, Vincenzo Rago 6, Vitor Hugo Teixeira 4 7, João Brito 3
The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dietary supplements usage (types, reasons for usage, sources of information, purchase venues) among elite female football players, using a self-administered questionnaire. The study participants (n = 103) were recruited through team physicians during an official international tournament. Overall, 82% reported using dietary supplements at least once during the last 12 months.
The most common dietary supplements were
vitamin D (52%),
omega-3 fatty acids (49%), and
protein (45%).
Primary reasons for dietary supplement use were to stay healthy (66%), to accelerate recovery (58%), and to increase energy/reduce fatigue (54%). Supplement advice came mainly from medical doctors (46%), dietitians/nutritionists (43%), and coaches/fitness coaches (41%). Most dietary supplements were acquired from supplement stores (30%), a sponsor (26%), or drugstores/pharmacies (22%). Elite female football players are frequent dietary supplement users. Further research needs to explore the frequency, dose, and timing of these supplements.