Why elite athletes use supplements — Report

Elite athletes are turning to supplements like creatine to gain minor performance advantages, but sports nutrition experts stress that a healthy diet should remain the foundation. Creatine, a natural compound found in meat and fish, supplies muscles with a quick energy source and is particularly beneficial for short, intense activities like sprinting.

Obtaining enough creatine from food alone can be challenging, as it would require consuming a large quantity of raw chicken daily, which is also risky due to the potential for harmful bacteria. Creatine gained popularity in elite sports during the 1990s, with British athletes reportedly using it during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

By the 1996 Olympics, about 80% of athletes were reportedly taking creatine, making it one of the most established supplements in sports nutrition.

However, experts emphasize that supplements should not be the starting point for athletes but rather the "final piece of the jigsaw." Nutrition expert Prof. Graeme Close, who oversaw nutrition for last year’s British and Irish Lions rugby union tour, advises athletes to focus on establishing a strong nutritional base before considering supplements.

Close notes that supplements are the "99 percenters" – the final step after athletes have gotten their overall diet right. Australian cyclist Nicole Frain agrees, stating that supplements are meant to support, not solve, fundamental problems. She stresses the importance of eating a balanced diet, training well, sleeping well, recovering well, and staying hydrated before adding supplements.

According to Prof. Graeme Close, around 90% of athletes take supplements, suggesting that 10% might be lying about their supplement use. Elite athletes are ultimately responsible for what they put in their bodies, and sports nutrition experts recommend that they ensure they are getting the other 99% right to achieve elite performance.