Carbohydrate Intakes and Preferences among Endurance Athletes in Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor

Abstract

Endurance sport have risen and expanded over the year and nutrient particularly carbohydrate are believed to be the key factor to achieve the optimum performance. Limited information are available in Malaysia regarding the nutrition status of this particular athletes especially those among the students. The aim of this study is to determine the dietary intake and carbohydrate preferences of the athletes and to compare with the establish sport nutrition guideline. A total of 40 endurance athletes from Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor were recruited in this study. Dietary intake of the athletes were assessed using Food Frequency Questionnaire and 3 -days diet record. Overall, carbohydrate intake per day was 464.79 ± 155.39 g and 386.31 ± 93.12 g for male and female athletes, respectively. Report on carbohydrate intake as per sport nutrition guidelines showed that male and female athlete have a mean carbohydrate intake of 6.06 ± 2.07 g/kg body weight and 5.73 ± 1.99 g/kg body weight, respectively, which were in the minimum range of recommendation. The main source of carbohydrate of the athletes derive from white rice. Meanwhile, the intake of protein and fat for male were 1.77 ± 0.94 g/kg body weight and 61.78 ± 32.64 g, respectively. Meanwhile, the protein and fat intake in female athlete were 1.94 ± 0.82 g/kg body weight and 74.51 ± 36.92 g, respectively. Remarkably, the intake of fat and fluid were recorded lower than recommendation. It is proven that the nutrient intake of the athletes does not meet the optimum sport nutrition recommendation