Classification
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 - little proof of 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
- Iron Supplement
- Liquid meal supplements
- Multivitamins and Minerals
- Probiotics (use for gastrointestinal protection)
- Sports bars
- Sports drinks
- Sports gels
- Vitamin D
Refer to Fact Sheets for detailed information about Group A supplements.
Group A supplements may be provided to AIS athletes or teams under the following conditions:
- Group A supplements provided at a 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.
- Inadvertent doping risk of Group A supplements is carefully considered before approval.
Group B Supplements - Considered for provision to AIS athletes only under a research protocol
These sports foods and supplements:
- have received some scientific attention, sometimes in populations other than athletes, or have preliminary data which suggest possible benefits to performance and
- are of particular interest to athletes and coaches
- Colostrum
- B-alanine
- Glucosamine*
- Glutamine
- HMB
- Melatonin*
- Probiotics (used for immune protection)
- Ribose
* These supplements are no longer made available to athletes under the AIS Sports Supplement Program.
Refer to Fact Sheets for detailed information about Group B supplements.
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.
- 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.
Group C Supplements - Supplements which have little 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 provide a worthwhile enhancement of sports performance. Although we can't categorically state that they don't "work", current scientific evidence shows that either the likelihood of benefits is very small or that any benefits that occur are too small to be useful. In fact, 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.
- Branched chain amino acids (& other free-from amino acids)
- Carnitine
- Chromium picolinate
- Coenzyme Q10
- Cordyceps
- Cytochrome C
- Gamma-oryzanol & ferulic acid
- Ginseng
- Inosine
- Lactaway
- Nitric oxide supplements
- Oxygenated waters
- Pyruvate
- Rhodiola rosea
- Vitamin supplements when used in situations other than summarised in Group A
- ZMA
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.
- Androstenedione
- 19-norandrostenediol
- 19-norandrostenedione DHEA
- Ephedra
- Strychnine
- Tribulus terrestris & other herbal testosterone supplements
- Glycerol