When sportsmen are tested positive for the use of banned substances people think of performance enhancing drugs and illegal substances such as cocaine or other central nervous system stimulants. Most fail to consider banned substances that may be included in what is commonly used as supplements.

One area that has caused confusion is the presence of banned stimulant methylhexaneamine in most pre exercise supplements. We are aware the confusion it caused with three players from Sri Lanka being tested positive.

Following up rugby talk of last week there have been people involved in rugby as coaches, administrators and parents asking questions. Questions that show a disappointing lack of knowledge of the meaning of banned and or prohibited substances. People have assumed that if a product is sold it is not banned and therefore it is acceptable.

One should carefully read the guidelines of WADA whose lead is followed by IRB. The simple explanation is that though a product may not be banned it can contain prohibitive substances. The trade name of a product is not what is important just as much the product being available on the shelf is not an excuse if the ingredients contain prohibited substances.

A paragraph from the IOC consensus statement for sports nutrition 2010 is worth reading as follows:
“The use of supplements does not compensate for poor food choices and an inadequate diet, but supplements that provide essential nutrients may be a short-term option when food intake or food choices are restricted due to travel or other factors. Vitamin D may be needed in supplemental form when sun exposure is inadequate.

Of the many different dietary ergogenic aids available to athletes, a very small number may enhance performance for some athletes when used in accordance with current evidence under the guidance of a well-informed professional. Athletes contemplating the use of supplements and sports foods should consider their efficacy, their cost, the risk to health and performance, and the potential for a positive doping test. Supplement use in young athletes should be discouraged, and the focus should be on consuming a nutrient-rich, well-chosen diet to allow for growth while maintaining a healthy body composition”.

Whatever one says there is always the chance of supplements being introduced when people believe they offer of performance enhancement. It is at this point the school, club or the national management need to be vigilant and get the commitment that persons involved in competitive sport accept that they have been educated. It has been difficult for most sportsmen to establish how a particular substance entered the body and that such substance was not intended to enhance the players sport performance.
In most of the published findings for rugby as well as other sports players have not been able to protect themselves using the defense that the product was not banned and the labels did not show the inclusion of banned substances.

Most times the players have not had expert guidance but depended mostly on anecdotal evidence. All players have had sanctions imposed but have in cases been below the starting minimum. In all cases the player has been guilty of not taking reasonable care. In the case of the UAE player the following is noted in the report. “Both the player and the Union seem to have put undue stock in the assumption that, because of the regulatory climate in the UAE and its strict stance against illegal drugs and narcotics, the products they obtained in health food stores would be “legitimate”. There was no evidence that the Player made any effort to check the ingredients of the “sport” drinks he consumed”.

The caveat is that you are responsible and the authorities at all levels of the game, school, club, national, have to exercise due care to avoid the dirt being heaped. The second of the interest has been the circulation of the article by the Biggest Rugby Fan [mailto:rugby.injustice@gmail.com] (an unidentified person) to various parties interested to highlight the need for the betterment of the sport. The betterment is what was intended as there will be no point in crying over spilt milk. It can happen in your school, your club, or to your child.

What has to be learnt is the danger of being exposed without knowledge and or believing a good “cold call “seller. There is so much competition specifically at the college level to be in the team and there will be the weakness to try out the magic portion. Draw a line on supplements as good or bad is walking on thin ice. In the extreme products containing caffeine too can be classed as a stimulant. The best is for advice from a competent source. That rat race is such that parents as well as advisory committees would like to pump their protégé a little not realizing the danger.

Last year while watching a junior game, two parents asked about a good supplement they can give their child. I suggested that they talk to a doctor and suggested a few names. Next time I met them they remarked that the doc was useless as he suggested that the sixteen year old have some good nutrition including food such as Jak Fruit, Manioc, Banana, Sweet Potatoes etc. That is not what they expected!

* Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB