Dietary Behaviors of Amateur Endurance Athletes during Recovery from Exercise Training

Abstract

PURPOSE: It is not known if amateur endurance athletes (runners, cyclists, triathletes, etc.) comply with nutrition guidelines for optimal recovery from exercise. We hypothesized that these athletes do not meet the recommendations from professional organizations for carbohydrate, protein, and fluid intake after exercise. METHODS: Data were collected by using an online questionnaire, 2-day food diaries and exercise logs. Specific post-exercise time periods in the food diaries were analyzed using computer software; nutrient intakes were compared to the published recommendations. RESULTS: Carbohydrate intake during the 30-min and 2-hr window immediately after exercise cessation was lower than recommended (24±7 vs. 70±2 g, p<0.001, 47±10 vs 70±2 g, p=0.012, respectively), as was carbohydrate intake between 2 and 4 hr after exercise (34±11 vs. 70±2 g, p=0.002) and between 4 and 6 hr (48±13 vs. 70±2 g, p=0.042); most subjects (75-88%) failed to meet the carbohydrate intake recommendations during these time periods. There was also a non-significant tendency for carbohydrate intake to be lower than recommendations in the 24 hours after exercise (390±24 vs. 419+15 g p=0.089). Protein intake within 1 hour of exercise and total daily protein intake met or exceeded the recommendations. Fluid intake within 1 hour of exercise met the recommendations. CONCLUSION: Amateur endurance athletes are not meeting the recommendations for post-exercise carbohydrate intake, specifically within 30 minutes, 2 hrs, 4 hours, and 6 hr of exercise, but they are meeting the recommendations for daily and post-exercise protein intake, and hydration status during exercise.