AIS Supplement Group Classification

In the AIS Sports Supplement Program supplements are classified into four groups according to their effectiveness and safety.

• Group A - supported for use by athletes
• Group B - considered for provision to AIS athletes only under a research protocol
• Group C - no proven beneficial effects
• Group D - should not be used by AIS athletes

Group A Supplements - Supported for use by AIS athletes

These sports foods and supplements:

• provide a useful and timely source of energy and nutrients in the athlete's diet, or
• have been shown in scientific trials to benefit performance, when used according to a specific protocol in a specific situation in sport
• • Antioxidant Vitamins C and E 
  • Bicarbonate and Citrate
  • Caffeine*
  • Calcium Supplement
  • Creatine
  • Electrolyte Replacement Supplements
  • Glucosamine*
  • Glycerol
  • Iron Supplement
  • Liquid meal supplements
  • Multivitamins and Minerals
  • Sick Pack
  • Sports bars
  • Sports drinks
  • Sports gels

Group A supplements may be provided to AIS athletes or teams under the following conditions:

• Group A supplements provided at limited cost to AIS sports programs, through systems managed by the Sports Nutrition Department
• Athletes and coaches are educated about the appropriate use of group A supplements, and their place in a state-of-the-art sports nutrition plan
• AIS sports have immediate access to research opportunities to investigate sports-specific protocols for use of Group A supplements. Provision of Group A and B Supplements Under a Research Protocol outlines how AIS sports scientists conduct research on Group A supplements.
• Inadvertent doping risk of group A supplements is carefully considered before approval.
• Supplement Provision outlines the way Group A supplements are dispensed at the AIS.

Group B Supplements - Considered for provision to AIS athletes only under a research protocol

These sports foods and supplements:

• are too new to have received adequate scientific attention, or have preliminary data which hints at possible benefits, and
• are of particular interest to athletes and coaches
• • Colostrum
  • Glutamine
  • HMB
  • Melatonin*
  • Probiotics*
  • Ribose

* These supplements are no longer made available to athletes under the AIS Sports Supplement Program.

Group B supplements may be provided to AIS athletes or teams under the following conditions:

• Supervised study or trial involving placebo/control groups and adequate monitoring of performance or health benefits. Provision of Group A and B Supplements Under a Research Protocol outlines how Group B supplements are dispensed at the AIS.
• Clinical management plan overseen by AIS doctor, including the provision of the supplement to the athlete and adequate monitoring.
• Payment for the supplement may need to come from the budget of the sport, if it cannot be covered within the cost of the research project or from a grant from the manufacturer.
• Inadvertent doping risk of group B supplements is carefully considered before approval.

Provision of Group A and B Supplements Under a Research Protocol outlines how Group B supplements are dispensed at the AIS.

Group C Supplements - Supplements which have no proof of beneficial effects and are therefore not to be provided to official AIS programs

This category includes the majority of supplements and sports products promoted to athletes. These supplements, despite enjoying a cyclical pattern of popularity and widespread use, have not been proven to enhance sports performance. In some cases, these supplements have been shown to impair sports performance, with a clear mechanism to explain these results. We have named many of the products that belong in this category, but others that have not been named in our supplement system more than likely belong here.

In the absence of proof of benefits, Group C supplements will not be provided to AIS athletes from ASC/AIS program budgets or other sources funded by AIS/ASC.

If an individual athlete or coach wishes to use a supplement from this category, they may do so providing:

• they are responsible for payment of this supplement
• any sponsorship arrangements are acknowledged to AIS marketing

The AIS does not support the use of products provided by Network Marketing companies. For further details see AIS Statement on Supplements Sold By Network Marketing Companies PDF (70 Kb)

Group D Supplements - These supplements should not be used by AIS athletes

These supplements are banned or are at high risk of being contaminated with substances that could lead to a positive drug test.

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