Evaluation of the consumption of protein supplements by bodybuilding practitioners in a fitness center in Planaltina-DF

Abstract

Nutritional supplementation is justifiable when individuals are not able to supply their own nutritional needs. The most used food supplements are those from protein, consumed along milk proteins and albumin. With the objective of evaluating the use of protein supplements, and to determine if the prescription is made through a nutritionist or a physician, a sample of 50 bodybuilding practitioners from both genders was studied, in a fitness center in Planaltina - DF. A questionnaire was applied asking the practitioners about their bodybuilding practice frequency and the use of supplements. It was observed that 72% of the sample is composed of males, and 38% from those are users of protein supplements. The frequency of training is more than three times a week for 92% of the sample, with only 8% training three times a week. Males are the ones that make use of protein supplements the most, representing 79% of the sample. The use of whey protein was cited by 95% and albumin use by 10%. The usage of supplements is as follows: pre and post-training (47%) and post-training (21%). The majority (47%) consume one scoop a day, 37% more than a scoop a day and 16% half scoop a day. Prescription is made: 58% by oneself, 21% by a nutritionist and 5% by a physical educator. Reasons for consumption: muscular mass gain (63%), to supplement the diet (21%) and for both reasons (16%). Males are the ones that train the most and consume more protein supplements. The most cited protein supplement was whey protein, with most usage being self-prescribed with the objective of muscular mass gain.