# Supplement Use Among Athletes: Insights from Gyms in Sarajevo
## 4 Discussion

Table 4: Analysis of the sample based on the type and timing of sports participation and dietary habits. 39.6% [14; 15; 16; 18; 25], although the results are significantly lower than those observed in other studies [17; 23; 26; 27; 28]. There are notable gender disparities in supplement usage, with males utilizing supplements at a significantly higher rate than females (71.0% compared to 29.0%; \(p<\) 0.001), corroborating prior findings [15; 16; 23] that indicate a pronounced male preference for FS. Several factors may contribute to the variations observed in supplementation rates across different studies. First, differences in geographic location and socioeconomic status could play a role. For example, urban areas with higher financial stability may see increased consumption of FS due to greater disposable income [13]. Additionally, variations in study methodologies, such as data collection methods, could influence participants' responses. A significant proportion of gym-goers who consumed FS primarily aimed to enhance muscle repair and recovery or to increase muscle mass. Our findings align with previous research [29; 30; 31; 32], which indicated that the primary goal of FS use among males was to build muscle mass, while for females, the focus was maintaining health. Modern culture exerts increasing social pressure to conform to specific beauty ideals, associating thinness with femininity and muscularity with masculinity [33]. Societal expectations may compel individuals to engage in gym activities, not only for health reasons, but also to adhere to prevalent standards of attractiveness and gender roles. The findings of this study also revealed that younger people were more likely to attend gyms for hypertrophy, but older people were more motivated by a desire to improve their general health. Social pressures related to physical appearance often drive younger individuals to focus on building muscle mass [33]. On the other hand, older adults tend to engage in physical training primarily to improve their overall physical health and emotional well-being [34]. Encouraging regular exercise in older populations is vital, as it helps manage symptoms of chronic illnesses, decreases the likelihood of fall-related fractures, and supports greater autonomy [35]. The literature on the preferred types of FS consumed by gym-goers is divided between protein supplements [23; 36] and multivitamin and mineral supplements (MVMs) [22; 37]. In this study, magnesium emerged as the most consumed supplement, with 29.5% of participants reporting its use. This finding is unexpected, as it does not align with the most frequently cited reason for supplementation--muscle mass increase--which would typically favour proteins and amino acids (ranked second and sixth, respectively). Gym-goers' preference for MVMs may stem from the persistent belief that minerals and vitamins provide ergogenic benefits, enhancing athletic performance. While deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can indeed hinder physical performance, correcting these deficiencies usually leads to a restoration of performance rather than further improvement [38]. However, evidence supporting the efficacy of magnesium (Mg) supplementation in boosting muscle fitness for athletes or physically active individuals remains inconclusive. Since athletes and active individuals typically maintain optimal nutritional status [39], the effects of Mg supplementation may be less pronounced in this population. This conclusion is consistent with previous reviews, which found no significant impact of Mg supplementation on strength, anaerobic-lactic acid, or aerobic performance in athletes [39]. Regarding age and gender differences, younger individuals and male participants were more likely to use protein, creatine, and amino acid supplements. This trend can likely be attributed to the \"muscle-building beauty cult\" phenomenon [23; 33], where younger people and males often focus on achieving aesthetic goals, such as muscle mass [40], as also observed in this analysis.