Date of Award

12-2003

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

Department

Health, Physical Education & Recreation

First Advisor

Dr. Mike Miller

Second Advisor

Dr. Robert Baker

Third Advisor

Gayle Thompson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The use of sports supplements is prevalent among American society, including high school athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine what sports supplements high school athletes are consuming, what are the motivations behind the athletes use, where do the athletes obtain the supplements, where do the athletes acquire information regarding sports supplements and who encourages and/or discourages the athletes supplement use. A questionnaire was distributed to high school athletes in the greater Kalamazoo, Michigan area, with a seven percent response rate.

The study found that 34% of the high school athletes surveyed reported to use sports supplements. The most commonly used supplements were multivitamins, caffeine, and ephedrine. The most frequently reported motivations for sports supplement use were, improved performance, stay healthy, and increase endurance. The majority of the students obtained sports supplements and received information regarding sports supplements from a friend and/or teammate. Adolescents also reported friends and/or teammates to encourage and parents to discourage sports supplement use. The information this study provides can be utilized to educate adults and adolescents in hopes to deter future supplement use.

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