Experts Warn Athletes Against Unregulated Use of Herbal Supplements at Patiala Sports Science Seminar

Patiala, April 4 – A two-day seminar hosted at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala brought together leading sports science experts to emphasize caution over the unregulated use of herbal supplements by athletes.

The seminar, titled ‘Harmonizing Movement: Integrating Yoga with Sports Science for Peak Performance’, featured extensive discussions on enhancing athletic performance through a combination of scientific approaches and traditional practices like yoga.

Herbal Supplements: Natural Yet Risky​

Wazir Singh Phogat, High-Performance Director (Athletics) at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), addressed a growing trend among athletes who increasingly turn to herbal supplements. He noted that these are often seen as safer alternatives to conventional performance-enhancing substances.

“These are generally perceived as natural and safer alternatives to conventional performance-enhancing drugs,” Phogat stated in an official SAI release.

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However, experts warned that this perception may lead to misuse.

SAI Scientific Officer (Nutrition), Vani Bhushanam Golla, highlighted the dangers of consuming these supplements without professional guidance.

“Many athletes consume herbal supplements without proper guidance, which can lead to toxicity or hormonal imbalances due to overconsumption. Conversely, inadequate intake may yield no benefits,” she explained.

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Adding further clarity, Shivakumar Harti, Head of Swasthavritta at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, stressed the need for personalized supplementation.

“Herbal supplements have specific medicinal properties and should be prescribed and monitored based on an athlete’s individual goals, training intensity, and physiological profile,” Harti said.

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Yoga and Sleep: Pillars of Peak Performance​

The seminar also spotlighted the importance of sleep and yoga as essential components of athletic training.

Dr. Satbir Singh Khalsa, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the role of sleep in recovery.

“Sleep is very important for both physical and mental recovery and hence sleep awareness should be an integral part of sports education,” he noted.

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Supporting this viewpoint, former Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal spoke about the mental edge yoga provides in high-pressure situations.

“Yoga helps control your mind and in pressure situation it keeps you in control. In modern day sport, mind control is no less important than skills or physical competence,” Rampal said.

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The event concluded with a collective call for increased awareness and scientifically guided practices in the pursuit of peak athletic performance.