Dietary supplements can play a small but important role in improving athletic performance. However, not every supplement has a proven effect. Also, not every supplement is recommended for every athlete. At the same time, certain supplements can be detrimental to the physical health. This website provides athletes, coaches and other support staff information about which supplements have a proven effect on sports performance and how they can be used safely and optimally.
This work was realized by the Team Belgium Experts and is inspired by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Supplement Framework.
Decision tree
Do you want to use a particular supplement? Please read this questionnaire and follow the advice resulting from it. As such you ensure that you always make the right choices in function of your athletic performance and your health.
Always contact a medical doctor before using any supplement.
ABCD classification
Supplements are categorized into 4 groups based on their proven effectiveness in increasing performance and safety for the athlete's health.
Group A: There is strong evidence that these supplements can improve performance in specific situations if you follow the suggested protocols.
Group B: There is increasing evidence for performance improvement resulting from the use of these supplements. You may want to consider using these supplements as part of a research protocol or under the strict follow-up of a doctor/nutritionist.
Group C: There is no evidence of performance improvement from the use of these supplements. There may also be adverse side effects when using it. The use of these supplements is not recommended.
Group D: these supplements are prohibited or have a high risk of contamination with substances that could lead to a positive doping test.
In the download below you will find the most recent overview.
Below is a list of supplements. Click on the supplement to see a fact sheet that will give you more information on how to use it.