Supplements: What Do Athletes Take and Why?
BBC Sport Explores the World of Athletic Enhancement
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Which supplements do athletes take and why?
Published 20 minutes ago
Image source: Getty Images
By Sarah Dawkins and Sonia Oxley, BBC Sport senior journalists
The story of creatine—a supplement that increased muscle mass and athletic performance—began at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. British athletes were utilizing a "secret weapon" that didn’t violate any doping rules, sparking discussions about its effectiveness.
Now widely available in supermarkets and social media feeds, creatine has become one of the most scientifically researched supplements, chosen by millions for its performance-enhancing properties. Yet, at the time, there was skepticism surrounding any substance labeled as a "performance enhancer," even if legal.
Athletes consider optimizing their performance and recovery from the moment they wake up until they go to bed. Today, creatine is just one of numerous supplements used by elite athletes to achieve marginal gains. Some enhance muscle size and strength, while others correct diet deficiencies.
"There are various reports in the literature suggesting that maybe up to 90% of athletes take supplements," remarks Prof. Graeme Close, Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University. "I often jokingly say that means 10% are lying." He adds that within the teams he’s worked with, the figure is closer to 100%.
What Do Supplements Actually Do?
Experts like Prof. Close advocate for meeting nutritional needs through food first, but supplements become necessary when practical or safe food intake isn’t feasible. For instance:
- Creatine: Naturally found in meat and fish, a significant amount of raw chicken (about 1 kg) is needed to match the creatine required by muscles during short-duration, high-intensity activities like sprinting.
During the 1990s, two scientists who had studied creatine for two decades shared their findings with Steve Jennings, whose Maxim sports nutrition company supplied products to the British Olympic team. This led to creatine’s breakout as a supplement during the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Doug Gillon, an investigative reporter, learned of a "secret trial" involving British athletes and witnessed them using Ergomax C150—effervescent creatine tablets. He reported on their claims, setting off a conversation about performance-enhancing supplements in elite sports.
