Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Sport Supplement Consumption among Athletes in Sport Clubs

Abstract

Background: The global use of sport supplements has risen, including in Iran, where misuse can pose health risks. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) strongly influence supplement consumption behaviors, yet limited data exist among athletes in Zahedan. This study aimed to assess KAP related to sport supplement use among male athletes attending sports clubs in Zahedan, Iran. Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 121 male athletes aged 18–35 year were recruited from Zahedan sports clubs using cluster random sampling. Data were collected through a validated, researcher-designed questionnaire covering demographics, anthropometrics, supplement use, and KAP. Knowledge was categorized as poor (0–10), fair (11–15), or satisfactory (>15); attitude and practice were classified in the same way. Moreover, descriptive statistics and chi-square or Fisher’s Exact Tests were used for analysis. Results: Participants had a mean age of 25.0±1.7 years. Bodybuilding was the most common sport (53.7%), and creatine was the most used supplement (26.5%), while 32.2% reported no use. Overall, 41.3% had poor knowledge, 38.8% had fair knowledge, and 19.8% had satisfactory knowledge. For attitudes, 47.1% were at a poor level, 51.2% at a fair level, and 1.7% at a satisfactory level; for practices, 47.1% had poor practice, 24.0% had fair practice, and 27.3% had satisfactory practice. Significant correlations were found between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, and attitude and practice (P<0.001). Conclusions: Suboptimal KAP toward supplement use was evident, with nearly half of athletes scoring poorly across domains. Improved knowledge was linked to better attitudes and practices, highlighting the need for structured, ongoing nutrition education in sports clubs to promote safe supplement use.