Group C
Group C supplements have little proof of beneficial effects and are not provided to AIS athletes.
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.
The table below outlines the Group C supplements. Click on the factsheet or research summary tables for detailed information on the supplement.
| Supplement | Factsheet | Research summary tables |
|---|---|---|
| Ribose | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lactaway | ✓ | |
| Coenzyme Q10 | ✓ |
|
| Vitamin supplements when used in situations other than summarised in Group A | ||
| Ginseng | ✓ |
|
| Other herbals (cordyceps, rhodiola rosea) | ✓ |
|
| Glucosamine | ✓ | |
| Chromium picolinate | ✓ |
|
| Oxygenated waters | ||
| MCT oils | ✓ |
|
| ZMA | ||
| Inosine | ✓ |
|
| Pyruvate | ||
| The rest - if you can't find it anywhere, it probably deserves to be 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)
