A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF AMATEUR BODYBUILDERS' PERCEPTIONS OF SUPPLEMENTS

Abstract

The modern sport of bodybuilding in Western fitness culture has been uniquely defined as a way to assert self identity. The sport has long been based on aesthetic appearance and creating a perfected sculpture of muscular mass (Masedu, Ziruolo, Valenti, & Di Giulio, 2012). Sociocultural pressures on males have seen them attempt to assert their identities through hypermasculinity (Mason, 1992). As a result, male bodybuilders use supplements at a high frequency (Hackett, Johnson, & Chow, 2012). The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional supplementation perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes among amateur bodybuilders. Methods: The sample consisted of thirty (N = 30) adult male amateur bodybuilders who ranged in age from 20 to 34 years (M = 22.93, SD = 3.42). The number of years involved in bodybuilding ranged from 2 to 15 years (M = 3.31, SD = 2.82). Results: Interviews with these amateur bodybuilders indicate that bodybuilders take nutritional supplements for three primary reasons: (1) to help achieve an ideal body; (2) to increase strength and enhance performance; and (3) because they believe the positive benefits outweigh the possible negative consequences. Conclusion: The body image the sport represents, and the body image Western fitness culture characterizes, promotes both positive and negative behaviors in supplementation. For this reason, amateur bodybuilders feel required to supplement in an effort to compete and succeed in reaching the image they desire.