| Summary: | <p>The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and predictors of the use of high-risk supplements, including those in the herbal, caffeinated, weight-loss, pre-workout, and muscle-building categories, among collegiate athletes. Anonymous surveys, with complete data regarding supplement use, were collected from 557 athletes participating on competitive teams at two NCAA Division 1 schools. A total of 8.3% of participants met criteria for high risk supplement use. Survey results indicated that 20 (3.6%) athletes used herbal, 1 (0.2%) athlete used caffeinated, 5 (0.9%) athletes used weight loss, 28 (5.0%) athletes used pre-workout, and 1 (0.2%) athlete used muscle-building supplements. Significant predictors of supplement use included motivations regarding endurance, fat loss, and increased muscle mass, and status as a 4th year (or later) college student. The reported motivation to use supplements to lose body fat and gain muscle mass emerged as the strongest single predictor of high-risk supplement use.
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