1) Position Statement of the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) on the use of supplements in sport in ADULTS
Supplement availability and use by consumers across all walks of life are ever-increasing. The products that collectively form the sports supplement industry are typically also referred to as “dietary (or nutritional) supplements”, “ergogenic aids”, “health supplements” or “sports supplements”. The sporting population in particular offers a lucrative market for ‘designer sports supplements’ with a range of ingredients and alleged benefits. Aggressive marketing of these products at school, recreational and elite-level has led to large numbers of consumers willing to pay for and use these products in the hope of enhancing various aspects of human physiology, exercise capacity and ultimately sporting performance .
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2) Position Statement of the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) on the use of supplements in sport in school-going YOUTH
Supplement availability and use by school-going youth (<18 yrs) are increasing and it is clear that children are exposed to these products and substances at younger ages than in years past 1. This is of great concern in lieu of the increase in the number of detrimental health effects and positive doping tests related to supplement use.
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3) SAIDS Practical Guidelines
The SAIDS Position Statement and Practical Guidelines were borne out of a deep concern regarding the growing number of reports of health harming effects and positive doping cases related to the use of supplements in adults and youth (including ‘dietary’, ‘performance-enhancing’, ‘sport supplements’). The aim of these documents and resources is to create awareness and education with regards to minimising the risks associated with sports supplement use in children and adolescents.