Hide

Error message here!

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Error message here!

Back to log-in

Close

What’s Really Fueling Teenage Athletic Performance?

/ 18 November 2022/All MFN blog/

Who doesn’t want to win?

Since the beginning of mankind, the drive to survive and thrive in an often hostile environment has been second nature. And while one may no longer need to outrun a tiger or fight a bear with their bare hands, the drive to gain an edge over opponents is still very much alive, especially at the high school and collegiate levels. Performance enhancing drugs and supplements are on the rise, and the pressure to win, overcome training plateaus, keep up with body images portrayed on social media, or earn a college scholarship is tougher than ever.

As a result, teens are becoming desperate “to increase muscle strength, keep the body alert and boost athletic performance.” (Types, 2016) Unfortunately, what teens don’t know is that many performance enhancing drugs and supplements are not approved by the FDA and may cause long-term side-effects.

In a recent double-blind social media poll, one hundred teenagers  between the ages of thirteen and nineteen were surveyed about drug and supplement use. Out of the 92 teens that described themselves as avid “athletes,” 65% percent of ALL teens reported using at least one or more forms of supplements in order to enhance athletic performance. In fact, close to 50% of teen athletes reported taking supplements daily or even multiple times throughout the day, but only half of the teens were aware of any possible long-term side-effects. (Ellis, 2022)

In addition, 75% percent of teens said that they would NOT use performance enhancing drugs or supplements if they knew they caused irreversible damage to their body. However, the most shocking finding is that over 80% surveyed reported that a teacher, coach, or trainer had NEVER spoken to them about any dangers associated with using performance enhancing drugs or supplements. (Ellis, 2022)

It’s time to take action!

As fitness professionals and coaches, it is your responsibility to learn  about the possible side-effects of the most commonly used performance enhancing drugs and supplements. Only then can you open-the-dialogue about the hidden dangers of supplementation and the negative effects they can have on both the mind and the body.

So, what are teenagers really doing to fuel their athletic performance?

According to “Operation Supplement Safety,” an up-to-date website developed by the Department of Defense, teen athletes are overusing creatine, caffeine, and protein/amino acid supplements at an alarming level. (Operation, 2022) Not surprisingly, recent marketing that appeals to teens in the form of shakes, bars, drinks, and pills seem harmless, but misusing any supplement has consequences. Below are some of the most popular types of supplements used by teens and effects of misuse. It’s time to open the dialogue on the dangers of supplements, and it begins with you!

Facts and Resources

Creatine Supplements:

  1. “The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine advise against using performance-enhancing supplements, including creatine, among teenagers.” (Pros, 2022)
  2. Misusing creatine by taking more than the recommended amount can lead to heart, kidney and liver damage.
  3. Creatine disrupts water levels in the body leading to dehydration and poor kidney function, interrupts sleep patterns, increases mood swings and causes bloating and stomach discomfort. (Pros, 2022)

Pros and Cons of Creatine – Side Effects of Creatine (myayan.com)

Caffeine Supplements:

  1. Teens shouldn’t have more than about 100mg of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to 1 cup of coffee or about 2 cans of soda.
  2. Caffeine is very similar in structure to another chemical in our body called adenosine, responsible for dilating blood vessels in the head. Caffeine blocks this dilation…your body becomes overly sensitive to adenosine-blood vessels dilate, creating pounding headaches. (England, 2021)
  3. Misuse of caffeine causes a racing heartbeat, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, increased appetite, and more.

How Much Caffeine Should A Teenager Be Drinking? (thelist.com)

Protein Supplements:

  1. Protein Requirement for Teenagers ages 14-18:
    1. Boys 52 grams of protein
    2. Girls 46 grams of protein
  2. Too much protein causes:
    1. Excess calories-stored as fat if not burned off
    2. Organ damage such as kidney stones, dehydration, diarrhea, constipation, poor digestion, bad breath and more.
  3. Long-term effects:
    1. Kidney damage, certain cancers, heart disease, calcium loss and more.

What Teen Athletes Need To Know About Sports Supplements and Performance – stack

Written by Christine Conti with contributor Makenna Ellis.

Christine M. Conti, M.Ed, BA is and international fitness educator and presenter. She currently sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and has been nominated to be the 2020 MedFit Network Professional of the Year. She is the author of the MedFit Classroom Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course and is the CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation. Christine is also the co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and the co-owner of TFC Podcast Production Co. She is also the best-selling author of SPLIT-SECOND COURAGE.

Resources

MFN Industry Expert

Join our list to get notifications of educational webinars, courses and special discounts.