USE OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN CROSSFIT PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

Introduction: Crossfit is a modality of physical strength and metabolic conditioning. It is known that diet and nutritional supplementation can interfere in the physical performance of practitioners. Objective: To quantify the use of nutritional supplements (protein, carbohydrate and micronutrients), as well as to evaluate the adequacy of the moment of consumption of the most cited supplement (pre, during or after training). Materials and Methods: 60 crossfit practitioners from three gyms located in the city of São Paulo were invited to participate. The research instrument was a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Among the participants (48% men and 52% women), 70% used supplements. The most consumed were protein supplements, mainly whey protein. Only 4.8% were on carbohydrate supplements and 3.2% on micronutrients. Most whey protein consumers reported using 1 (37.1%) or 2 (34.3%) scoops a day. One third (34.3%) of users reported consuming this supplement before training, followed by 25.7% who consumed it before and after training, and 14.3% who used it only after training. Discussion: Anaerobic muscle power activities involve higher protein turnover, which may explain the preference for protein supplements. Conclusion: Most of the research participants used nutritional supplements, and whey protein was the most cited. The doses stipulated on the product label were respected by most respondents, however, the timing of use and the type of supplement chosen in many cases were not suitable.