Which supplements do athletes take and why?

Creatine, a supplement found in meat and fish, gained popularity in the 1990s after British athletes used it to enhance athletic performance at the Barcelona Olympics. This natural compound in the body aids muscles with quick energy, particularly during short-duration, high-intensity activities like sprinting. Prof Graeme Close, a professor of human physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, emphasizes that supplements are the "final piece of the jigsaw" for athletes who have already optimized their diet, training, sleep, recovery, hydration, and other fundamentals.

Protein powders, creatine, and vitamin D are among the most commonly used supplements among athletes, as they maximize muscle repair, energy production, and bone health, respectively. While supplements can improve performance, they should complement a well-rounded approach to athletic excellence rather than serve as a sole solution.