Protein and Amino Acid Supplements Use Among Recreational Gym-Goers in Northwestern Romania

Background/Objective: Recreational gym-goers frequently use nutritional supple-ments (NS) based on protein and amino acids without medical advice and under-standing. The present study investigates the relationship between protein and amino acid supplementation and various associated aspects among recreational athletes in 2 gymnasiums from Oradea (Romania). Materials and Methods: 165 gym-goers (110 men and 55 women, most of them 18-30 years old) with high educational levels were included in the present study conducted as a face-to-face interview. Results: Partici-pants were divided into 4 groups: protein supplement users (PSU, 42/165), creatine supplement users (CSU, 38/165), L-carnitine supplement users (LcSU, 37/165), and protein+creatine+L-carnitine supplement users (PCLcSUs, 48/165). Most consumers are young (18-30 years) and prefer the triple combination. Females consume PS and CS (38.2% and 34.5%), while the most used NS by males are PCLcS (36.4%) and LcS (27.3%). Obese gym-goers opted for LcS consumption (r = 0.999, p< 0.05). Creatine and L-carnitine are consumed for force training (65.79 and 62.16%), while PCLcS and PS are used in Cardio+Force and Force in the same measure (42.86 and 47.92%). Most PSUs are gym-goers for 7-12 months and > 1 year (r = 0.999, r = 0.952, p< 0.05), while PCLcSUs have a training frequency of ≥5 times/week (r = 0.968, p< 0.05). Muscle mass growth is the principal training scope for all NS users (57.89%), followed by the mus-cular tonus (40.54%), p< 0.05. Creatine is used for increasing physical effort capacity (r = 0.999, p< 0.05), while PS is used for physical effort recovery and weight loss (r = 0.999, p< 0.05). In contrast, LcS is used for fat-burning and consumed during muscle-defining time (r = 0.999, p< 0.05). Almost 30% of one-only NS users had various side effects, while all PCLcSUs claimed side effects (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Age and gender were key factors in diet type, training type, frequency, duration, scope, NS type, and dose intake. The NSs consumed in combination substantially increase the frequency of side effects. The present study results highlight the need for health professionals' advice and monitoring in a personalized diet and protein and amino acid supplementation.