Dietary Supplementation in Bodybuilding
In recent years, participation in bodybuilding activities has increased considerably among both men and women. These athletes strive for a high degree of muscle mass and tone. Competitive bodybuilders are judged on various attributes including muscularity, symmetry, proportion, and visual presentation. In order to achieve their objectives, most engage in both dietary manipulation and rigorous training. These behaviors, however, may put the athletes at risk. At present, few studies have been performed on dietary supplementation practices among bodybuilders. An increased understanding of the different alternatives, however, might direct the athletes towards better health and fitness.
For the most part, bodybuilders work towards "physical perfection." They desire both maximum skeletal muscle hypertrophy and definition (3:264). In general, competitive bodybuilders train during the off-season for muscular size and refinement. This initial "bulking" stage of physical training involves the selective exercise of different muscles and muscle groups. The second phase of competitive bodybuilding occurs during the weeks or months just before a competition. It is then that athletes try to reduce their body fat. This "cutting" stage is designed to enhance both muscular and vascular definition (2:91).
Competitive bodybuilders tend to participate in multi-faceted training programs. Indeed, Kleiner et al. (1990) evaluated 27 championship-level athletes and found that 90% of the men and 100% of the women used some type of dietary supplement. Most such products consist of either weight gain powders, amino acid tablets or capsules, or vitamin and mineral supplements. In addition, various substances such as medium-chain triglyceride oil, chromium, boron, gamma-oryzanol, ferulate, inosine, carbohydrates, carnitine, and choline are also ingested by some bodybuilders. The makers of these pr...