More than a third of top footballers have been riskily using food supplements to enhance their performance, according to FIFA, even though there is no scientific evidence to prove they have any benefit.

FIFA's chief medical officer, Jiří Dvořák, has warned that such behaviour can lead to players failing dope tests because of non-approved products being contaminated by banned substances.

Dvořák says around 35 per cent of players "at World Cup level" were regularly taking food supplements, with the figure rising to almost 50 per cent at under-17 and under-20 level.

"The marketing strategies of the producers of food supplements are influencing the behaviour of footballers and athletes in general," said Dvořák.

"From different surveys we know that about 60 per cent of under-16 athletes in the United States are using nutritional supplements daily and all of them believe they will increase their performance.

"This is definitely not based upon the scientific evidence or literature, which says the opposite."

Dvořák is alarmed that footballers are happy to take such supplements without first seeking specialist advice.

"The same scientific studies also show that 70 per cent of these young athletes do not seek adequate advice from a nutritional specialist physician, they just take it and believe it will improve their performance," he said.

"For me as a sports physician this is not only surprising, it is alarming."

More than 100 players at last year's Under-17 World Cup in Mexico failed dope tests due to the presence of the banned substance clenbuterol in contaminated meat.

"It is well established and proven that many of the food supplements are contaminated by prohibited substances such as anabolic steroids and other substances," said Dvořák.

"This is, of course, very dangerous because if the athlete is subject to a doping control test and is regularly using that kind of contaminated supplement, he or she can test positive for doping.

"Therefore, FIFA has issued a serious warning to football players not to take any food supplements that have not been passed by national drug and food administrations."

Contact the writer of this story at andrew.warshaw@insidethegames.biz

By Andrew Warshaw

Source: www.insidethegames.biz