Factores demográficos, deportivos y psicológicos asociados al perfil de usuarios de suplementos deportivos

Abstract

El crecimiento del uso de suplementos deportivos en los últimos años ha sido exponencial y se ha extendido a gran parte de la población deportista. Si bien existen múltiples investigaciones que indagan el perfil de los usuarios de este tipo de suplementos, la mayoría se concentra en los aspectos sociodemográficos y deportivos de las personas y dejan de lado los factores psicológicos que podrían incidir en el uso de suplementos deportivos. A partir de diversos estudios que concluyen con la necesidad de profundizar en el perfil de los usuarios de suplementos deportivos, se presenta como relevante la inclusión de los factores psicológicos de los deportistas. En este sentido, se pretende construir un perfil más completo de los usuarios, en el que se consideren los aspectos sociodemográficos, deportivos y psicológicos, en la población general de deportistas, sin diferenciar el tipo de actividad física realizada ni el país de procedencia. El objetivo principal de la presente Tesis Doctoral es, entonces, describir los factores sociodemográficos, deportivos y psicológicos que inciden en el uso de suplementos deportivos y caracterizan el perfil de los usuarios. Como objetivos específicos se plantean (a) describir el perfil demográfico, antropométrico y deportivo de los usuarios de suplementos deportivos; (b) analizar el perfil del deportista profesional y recreacional en el uso de suplementos deportivos; (c) explorar la relación entre la motivación deportiva y el uso de suplementos deportivos; (d) examinar la relación entre la Practica excesiva de deporte y el uso de suplementos deportivos; (e) analizar la relación entre el uso de suplementos deportivos y la Dismorfia Muscular; y finalmente, (f) construir el perfil de los usuarios de suplementos deportivos en relación con las variables demográficas, deportivas y psicológicas analizadas. Para esto se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el que se aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado online a 554 deportistas, tanto recreacionales como profesionales, de entre 18 y 68 años, de habla hispana. Este cuestionario constaba de siete secciones: (1) consentimiento informado, (2) perfil sociodemográfico y antropométrico, (3) patrones de actividad física, (4) uso de suplementos deportivos, (5) Escala de Motivación Deportiva, (6) Escala de Adicción al Deporte y (7) Cuestionario de Complejo de Adonis. Con estos datos se realizaron análisis estadísticos descriptivos e inferenciales utilizando el software SPSS en su versión 26 para MAC. Los resultados confirman que la prevalencia del uso de suplementos deportivos es alta. En relación con la construcción de un perfil de usuarios de este tipo de suplementos, es posible afirmar, a partir de los datos, que existen tres aspectos fundamentales que lo caracterizan. En primer lugar, el sexo, ya que los hombres presentan mayor tendencia al uso de suplementos de este tipo que las mujeres. Luego, la periodicidad de la práctica deportiva, entrenar cuatro o más días a la semana se vincula con el uso de estas ayudas. Y, finalmente, en relación con los factores psicológicos, la Dismorfía Muscular se asocia con el uso de suplementos deportivos. Los hallazgos realizados en el marco de esta Tesis Doctoral son importantes. Por un lado, aportan información clave para la elaboración de programas de educación para la salud dirigidos a deportistas. Y por el otro, se proponen como punto de partida para futuras líneas de investigación, en las que, tomando en consideración las variables sociodemográficas, deportivas y psicológicas en conjunto, se profundice en la construcción del perfil de los usuarios de suplementos deportivos.

The recent growth in the use of Sports Supplements has been exponential and extended to a large part of athletes. Even though multiple studies investigate the users' profile of these type of supplements, most of them focus on the sociodemographic and sports aspects of athletes and leave aside the psychological factors that could influence in the decision of using Sports Supplements. According to different studies, the need to strengthen studies regarding the profile of Sports Supplement users is relevant. Including psychological factors that describe athletes' profile is important to have a complete profile of Sports Supplements users. In this sense, the aim of this study is to build a complete profile of users, in which the sociodemographic, sports and psychological aspects are considered, in the general population of athletes, without differentiating the type of physical activity performed or the country of origin. The main objective of this Doctoral Thesis is to classify, describe, and differentiate the profile of users and non-users of SS, considering demographic, sports, and psychological variables. The specific objectives are (a) to describe the demographic, anthropometric and sports profile of users of Sports Supplements; (b) analyze the profile of professional and recreational athletes in the use of Sports Supplements; (c) explore the relationship between sports motivation and the use of Sports Supplements; (d) examine the relationship between excessive sports practice and the use of Sports Supplements; (e) analyze the relationship between the use of Sports Supplements and Muscle Dysmorphia; and finally, (f) build the profile of Sports Supplements users in relation to the demographic, sports and psychological variables analyzed. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in which a self-administered online questionnaire was applied to 554 Spanish-speaking athletes, both recreational and professional, between 18 and 68 years old. This questionnaire consisted of seven sections: (1) informed consent, (2) sociodemographic and anthropometric profile, (3) physical activity patterns, (4) use of Sports Supplements, (5) Sports Motivation Scale, (6) Sports Addiction and (7) Adonis Complex Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out with this data using SPSS software in version 26 for MAC. The results of this study confirm that the prevalence of the use of Sports Supplements is high. In relation to the construction of the profile of users of this type of supplements, it is possible to affirm, from the data obtained, that there are three fundamental aspects that characterize it. First, sex, since men have a greater tendency to use supplements of this type than women. Then, the frequency of sports practice, training four or more days a week is linked to the use of these aids. And finally, in relation to psychological factors, Muscle Dysmorphia is associated with the use of Sports Supplements. Findings made within the framework of this Doctoral Thesis fill a gap in previous research, providing an approximate profile, that includes demographic, sports, and psychological variables of Sport Supplement users. On one hand, they provide key information to develop health education programs for athletes. And on the other hand, they are a starting point for future lines of research, in which, taking into consideration the sociodemographic, sports and psychological variables together, the construction of the profile of users of Sports Supplements may be completed. professional, between 18 and 68 years old. This questionnaire consisted of seven sections: (1) informed consent, (2) sociodemographic and anthropometric profile, (3) physical activity patterns, (4) use of Sports Supplements, (5) Sports Motivation Scale, (6) Sports Addiction and (7) Adonis Complex Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out with this data using SPSS software in version 26 for MAC. The results of this study confirm that the prevalence of the use of Sports Supplements is high. In relation to the construction of the profile of users of this type of supplements, it is possible to affirm, from the data obtained, that there are three fundamental aspects that characterize it. First, sex, since men have a greater tendency to use supplements of this type than women. Then, the frequency of sports practice, training four or more days a week is linked to the use of these aids. And finally, in relation to psychological factors, Muscle Dysmorphia is associated with the use of Sports Supplements. Findings made within the framework of this Doctoral Thesis fill a gap in previous research, providing an approximate profile, that includes demographic, sports, and psychological variables of Sport Supplement users. On one hand, they provide key information to develop health education programs for athletes. And on the other hand, they are a starting point for future lines of research, in which, taking into consideration the sociodemographic, sports and psychological variables together, the construction of the profile of users of Sports Supplements may be completed. professional, between 18 and 68 years old. This questionnaire consisted of seven sections: (1) informed consent, (2) sociodemographic and anthropometric profile, (3) physical activity patterns, (4) use of Sports Supplements, (5) Sports Motivation Scale, (6) Sports Addiction and (7) Adonis Complex Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out with this data using SPSS software in version 26 for MAC. The results of this study confirm that the prevalence of the use of Sports Supplements is high. In relation to the construction of the profile of users of this type of supplements, it is possible to affirm, from the data obtained, that there are three fundamental aspects that characterize it. First, sex, since men have a greater tendency to use supplements of this type than women. Then, the frequency of sports practice, training four or more days a week is linked to the use of these aids. And finally, in relation to psychological factors, Muscle Dysmorphia is associated with the use of Sports Supplements. Findings made within the framework of this Doctoral Thesis fill a gap in previous research, providing an approximate profile, that includes demographic, sports, and psychological variables of Sport Supplement users. On one hand, they provide key information to develop health education programs for athletes. And on the other hand, they are a starting point for future lines of research, in which, taking into consideration the sociodemographic, sports and psychological variables together, the construction of the profile of users of Sports Supplements may be completed.