Provision
Provision of Supplements at the AIS
Group A and B Supplements are made available to AIS athletes in the following ways:
- Provision of Group A supplements to individual AIS athletes
- Provision of Group A supplements to AIS teams
- Provision of Group A and B supplements under a research protocol
Provision of Group A Supplements to Individual AIS Athletes
Individual access to Group A supplements requires approval from an AIS sports dietitian and/or AIS sports physician. Supplements are provided in appropriate amounts with suitable education to ensure that athletes use these supplements correctly and understand the risk of inadvertent doping.
Requirements for Provision:
Consult with AIS Sports Dietitian
- Electrolyte Replacement Supplements
- Liquid Meal Supplements
- Multivitamins and Minerals
- Sports Bars
- Sports Drinks
- Sports Gels
-
Antioxidants
-
Creatine
-
Bicarbonate and Citrate
-
Glycerol
Consult with AIS Sports Physician
-
Sick Pack
-
Calcium Supplement
-
Iron Supplement
-
Caffeine
-
Glucosamine
Provision of Group A Supplements to AIS Teams
AIS sports dietitians will work with AIS teams to determine team needs. Group A supplements may be accessed via:
- Team supply of sports drink - team supplies of Gatorade are available for use by all AIS sports
- AIS Recovery Program - team recovery bar, individual recovery bar, recovery bar in AIS Gym, recovery bar in AIS Recovery Centre
- Food for Travelling Teams - AIS sports dietitians will arrange supplies for teams undertaking AIS approved travel
Provision of Group A and B Supplements Under a Research Protocol
The AIS Ethics Committee must be notified of ALL projects undertaken via this supplement program.
1. Supplement
All supplements will be approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ). This ensures that the supplement is not considered to pose a health or safety risk when consumed according to normal protocols.
In the case of new products which have yet to receive clearance by TGA or FSANZ for sale in Australia, there is provision for these products to be brought into the country for use in a supervised scientific trial. Application will be made to TGA for dispensation to import the supplement and undertake such as trial. It is anticipated that these products will be known to some accredited government agency (albeit under looser regulation) such as the Food and Drug Administration in the USA. In any case, due care will be taken to ensure that all supplements are considered "safe" for human use.Supplement protocols will be developed with due consideration of dosages that are considered to be safe for human use.
2. Testing
The study will monitor a range of health and performance variables according to the interests or claims surrounding the supplement being tested. These tests will involve protocols that are already part of the routine screening or monitoring services provided to AIS athletes and may include:
- blood tests
- performance measurements in the laboratory
- performance measurements in the field
- questionnaires of health status and well-being
3. Side Effects
The study protocol will include measures to monitor side-effects or to question athletes about negative outcomes arising from the use of the supplement or participation in the study. If such symptoms are severe and/or widespread, researchers will consider whether the study should be abandoned. In any case, individual athletes will be able to discontinue the study at any time point.4. Outcomes
The researchers will undertake to make a final assessment of the results of the study as soon as possible after the completion of testing, and to make a report available to the athletes and coaches who participated in the study. Should substantial positive results be observed from the use of the supplement, it will be considered for addition to the Group A Supplement list, and to be made available to appropriate athletes and programs. All individual results will be kept confidential.
Heath Francis