Safe Practices of Supplements Use as a Protective Factor for Menstrual Symptoms: Insight from Varsity Female Athletes

Abstract

The study examined the role of supplementation knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to the menstrual symptoms among the elite female university athletes. By using a cross-sectional design, data was collected from 116 athletes age ranges from 18 to 25 years from 5 different universities in Lahore. The questionnaire utilized were composed of demographics section, the menstrual symptoms questionnaire (MSQ) and the knowledge, attitude and practice (KEP) scale. Regression analysis revealed that while the overall models predict the spasmodic and congestive dysmenorrhea were significant (p<.001), only supplementation practices were significant predictor. Higher practices scores were associated with the reduced severity of the spasmodic dysmenorrhea and lower severity of congestive dysmenorrhea whereas knowledge and attitudes showed no significant association. These finding highlighted that the consistent and safe supplementation practices rather than awareness or perception alone serve as a protective factor against the menstrual symptoms among the female athletes. This stressed the necessity for behavior focused interventions and the professional guidance to promote the evidence-based supplementation practices that can support both menstrual health and the athletic performance in the female athletes.