Effect of selected dietary supplements on the nutritional status of athletes

A modern world brings a various poitns of views and possibilities in human nutrition. This theses is focused on dietary supplements and its using by athletes. Especially it is focused to the athletes for who the sport is essential part of life. The main aim is to chart supplements which are the most commonly used by athletes, to chart their features and functionality, eventualy riskness. Finally the secondary aim is to find out the sense of using them by the subjective view of athletes. What is the real need of using supplements? Is it necessary in in the context of preventing a nutritional deficit? Does it bring any benefits or is it just a marketing movement? Theoretical part is focused to the most using supplements, the legislation and division. Supplements will be analyzed by their functionality and effects. Practical part is focused on athletes for who is using supplements most often - enthusiasts of fitness-bodybuilding and people who often visit gym. The frequency was given by this criterion - it was focused on athletes who have visited the gym several times a week in the last year or longer. Research was conducted by questionnaire and expanded by interview if it was necessary. The questionnaire was distributed in printed version.For realisation was determined a quality research which was attended by ten respondents. All of them operate in sport at amateur level, some of them take part in amateur races, for the rest of them is bodybuilding just a hobby. The questions were asked to find out the way of using of supplements - their frequency and variosity.The research shows the differences between men and women, between profesional athletes and hobby athletes, their knowledge about supplements and the influance of sport enviroment. The athletes were questioned where they found the information about the supplements, how much they invest to buying it and why they using them. For processing purpose was used qualitative analyse of questionnaire. It was discovered that most of respondents do not observe recommended daily dosing, in most of cases was the main reason the recommendation by friend without the consultation with specialist so the athlet did not know what is the real need of nutrition and if the using of supplements is necessary. The most frequently used were the protein drinks and micronutrients - vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, magnesium and zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids. Theses could be used like an information resource for explanation what is the point of supplement, the sense of using them in connection of main aim of sport effect. In could also give an information for these ones who are interest in sport nutrition and the general public