Physician-prescribed medication use by the Finnish Paralympic and Olympic athletes.

Objective: Data about medication use by Paralympic athletes (PAs) are limited and no data concerning medication use outside Paralympics exist. The objective of the current study was to compare the use of physician-prescribed medication in PAs and Olympic athletes (OAs).

Design: A cross-sectional comparative study.

Asthma medication is increasingly prescribed for finnish olympic athletes--for a reason?

Background: Use of asthma medication is common among athletes. In 2009, the World Anti-Doping Committee (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee removed the need to document asthma by lung function tests before the use of inhaled β2-agonists.

Methods: We assessed the changes in asthma medication use in Finnish Olympic athletes 8 years apart in 2002 (N = 446) and 2009 (N = 372).

Dietary supplementation habits and perceptions of supplement use among elite Finnish athletes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of dietary supplement (DS) use among elite Finnish athletes in 2002 and 2009. In 2009, the authors also wanted to examine the reasons for athletes' DS use, whether athletes feel they have experienced benefits from their supplement use, and whether athletes had had an opportunity to consult dietary specialists. Cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2002 and 2009 among Finnish Olympic athletes.

Use of dietary supplements in Olympic athletes is decreasing: a follow-up study between 2002 and 2009.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of use of dietary supplements (DS) among large sample of elite Finnish athletes and to describe possible changes in dietary supplement use between the years 2002 and 2009.

Methods: A prospective follow-up study was conducted on Olympic athletes. The first survey was conducted on Olympic athletes in 2002 (N = 446) and the follow-up study was conducted between May 2008 and June 2009 (N = 372).

Use of prescription drugs in athletes.

Although athletes are young and generally healthy, they use a variety of non-doping classified medicines to treat injuries, cure illnesses and obtain a competitive edge. Athletes and sports medicine physicians try to optimize the treatment of symptoms related to extreme training during an elite athlete's active career. According to several studies, the use of antiasthmatic medication is more frequent among elite athletes than in the general population.

Effect of deregulation on the prices of nicotine replacement therapy products in Finland.

Objective: The sales of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products were deregulated in Finland in February 2006. Previously all medications were sold only in pharmacies, and retail mark-ups and prices were fixed; following deregulation pricing of NRT products has been free. Further more, grocery shops, petrol stations and kiosks are now licensed to sell NRT products.

Allergic rhinitis and pharmacological management in elite athletes.

Introduction: Only a few studies have examined the occurrence of atopy and clinically apparent allergic disease and their pharmacological management in elite athletes. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of allergic rhinitis and the use of antiallergic medication within the subgroups of elite athletes as compared with a representative sample of young adults of the same age.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2002.

Asthma medication in Finnish olympic athletes: no signs of inhaled beta2-agonist overuse.

Introduction: Occurrence of asthma has been reported to be frequent in endurance athletes and especially high in winter sport athletes. Recently, the International Olympic Committee has restricted the use of inhaled beta2-agonists and requires documentation for their use. However, epidemiologic data comparing the use of antiasthmatic medication in different sport events are mostly missing.