In the world of sports, athletes not only need to perform their best but also need to ensure that they are taking safe and legal supplements. With countless products flooding the market, it can be difficult to identify which ones are safe and which ones are tainted with banned substances. Enter Informed-Sport certification, a program designed to provide athletes with peace of mind when it comes to their supplement use.
But what is Informed-Sport certification, and why is it so crucial for athletes? In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of this program, including its history, benefits, and how athletes can ensure they’re choosing certified supplements.
What is Informed-Sport certification?
Informed-Sport certification is a global quality assurance program that tests supplements for banned substances, ensuring that they are free of contaminants. The program was established in 2008 by LGC, a renowned global life sciences organization that operates internationally across a variety of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food, and sports. Informed-Sport has partnerships with leading sports organizations worldwide, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and many national sports bodies.
How Does Informed-Sport Certification Work?
Informed-Sport certification operates in two stages. The first stage involves product testing, where samples of supplements are taken from the manufacturing batch and analysed in a laboratory for a wide range of banned substances, including anabolic steroids, stimulants, and diuretics. This stage is critical, as it ensures that the product has not been contaminated with any prohibited substances.
The second stage involves the Informed-Sport quality endorsement. Once a product has passed the product testing stage, the manufacturer is then permitted to use the Informed-Sport certification logo on its product packaging. Athletes can then use this logo as reassurance that what they are consuming is safe and legal.
Why is Informed-Sport Certification important for athletes?
For athletes, taking supplements that contain banned substances can be detrimental to their careers. Even if the athlete is unaware that the supplement they are taking has been contaminated, they can still face serious consequences, such as failed drug tests or even disqualification from competitions. In many cases, the consequences can also extend to the athlete’s reputation and future career prospects.
The Informed-Sport program gives athletes the assurance they need to confidently select supplements that are free of contaminants. With the program’s reputation for rigorous testing, athletes can have peace of mind that the supplements they take do not contain any banned substances.
How Can Athletes Ensure They Are Choosing Informed-Sport Certified Products?
The easiest way for athletes to ensure that the supplements they are taking are Informed-Sport certified is by checking the product packaging for the certification logo. All supplements that pass the product testing phase and receive endorsement from Informed-Sport will display the program’s certified logo.
Athletes can also use the Informed-Sport’s online search tool to verify if a particular supplement or brand has been certified by the program. The search tool is regularly updated, and athletes can check supplements by brand, product, or batch number.
Conclusion
Informed-Sport certification is essential for athletes to protect their careers and health. With rigorous product testing and quality endorsement, the program provides athletes with the peace of mind they need to know that the supplements they are consuming are free from banned substances.
Informed-Sport has become the gold standard for supplement certification in the sports industry, and athletes should always opt for products that carry the program’s logo. With the right knowledge and tools, athletes can make informed decisions and take supplements that are both safe and legal for their training.
(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)
Speech tips:
Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.