Dietary Intake of Hong Kong Male Road Cyclists during a Multistage Event

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tour of Japan is an 8-day multistage cycling event. Energy and macronutrient needs must be met in order to maintain body weight, replenish glycogen stores and provide adequate protein for building and repairing tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary intake of Hong Kong male road cyclists during the Tour of Japan. METHOD: Five male cyclists, all members of Hong Kong national team, were recruited for this study. The average age, height, body masses of the cyclists were 24.6±5.4years, 172.4±5.5 cm, and 65.3±2.5 kg respectively. Daily food consumption for a total of eight days, body mass and skinfold measurements were recorded or measured by the Sport Nutritionist. Energy expenditure during race periods was recorded by heart rate monitoring device. Total energy expenditure was estimated by methods previously used by Saris et al 1. RESULTS: Total energy intake was below total energy expenditure (37197.4±4650.1 kcal vs 38155.8±3461.5 kcal, p=0.41). The cyclists consumed diets that met recommendations of carbohydrate 11.6±0.8 g·kg body weight-1 on race days and 6.2±1.6 g·kg body weight-1 on rest days, mean protein intake was 2.1 ±0.3 g·kg body weight-1 and mean fat intake was 30.3±1 .8% of total energy intake. Changes in body mass, skinfold measurements, and percent body fat before and after the event were minimal. CONCLUSION: Although slight energy deficit (intake: 37197.4±4650.1 kcal vs expenditure: 38155.8±3461.5 kcal) was found over the 8-day event, all cyclists macronutrients intake met the guidelines for endurance athletes. There was limitation to evaluate energy expenditure in this study. Energy expenditure during race, rest, and non-cycling activities were not directly measured. Therefore, the absolute values for total energy expenditure were estimates and assumed that energy expenditure off the bike was similarly sedentary for all subjects.