Vitamin, Herbal and Nutritional Supplements
Vitamin, herbal and nutritional supplements are not subject to the same stringent testing as registered pharmaceutical products so there is a risk that supplements may contain impurities, such as ingredients that are not listed on the label, which could cause a positive test. For this reason SIA is unable to guarantee the status of the product.
Some athletes choose to contact the manufacturer of the product to obtain a written guarantee regarding the status of the product.
*Use of supplement products is at the athlete's own risk
We recognise that supplements can play a role in athletes achieving at their peak performance. However we also acknowledge the influence of the supplement industry and athlete testimonials on scholarship holders.
The results of the present concern of supplements in sport include:
- A small but real risk of a positive 'doping' outcome
- Money being wasted on products that simply do not work
- Time, money and belief being distracted away from the factors that can really enhance health, recovery and performance
With these concerns in mind the TIS recommends the AIS Sports Supplement Program as the appropriate vehicle for TIS athletes and coaches seeking information on supplements.
AIS Sports Supplement Program
The AIS Sports Supplement Program provides information about sports supplements in general and how supplements are used at the AIS via web page links.
The aims of the program include:
- Allow athletes to focus on sound use of supplements and special sports foods as part of their special nutrition plans
- Ensure that supplements and sports foods are used correctly and appropriately to deliver maximum benefits to the immune system, recovery and performance
- Give athletes the confidence that they receive 'cutting edge' advice and achieve 'state of the art' nutrition practices
- Minimise the risk of supplement use leading to an inadvertent wrongdoing
Details of the program are available at The Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
Provision of Supplements at the TIS
The TIS does not normally supply supplements to TIS athletes as part of the support provided through the Institute's sports scholarship programs. On occasion it may be appropriate that supplements are provided through TIS support to address specific special nutrition plans for recovery and performance.
TIS Sports Medicine Coordinator and/or the TIS Nutrition consultants will only approve supplements products that are 3rd party tested. At present in Australia the major organisation providing 3rd party testing is Informed Sport.
Athletes and coaches that wish to use supplements must ensure that they have suitably researched the supplements involved through the AIS Sports Supplements Program and have sought the advice of the TIS Sports Medicine Coordinator and/or the consultant nutritionists in the TIS Sport Medicine Network page.
Always remember - "If in doubt, check it out!"
Check your substances online in the Sport Integrity Australia website