Energy Requirements And Intake Of Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Nutrition is an important aspect of sport performance, yet many athletes are unaware of how many calories they should, or do, consume on a daily basis. Limited literature exists comparing perceived energy requirements with actual energy requirements based on body composition. PURPOSE: To determine student athletes’ awareness of energy requirements based on their body composition and physical activity level. METHODS: Athletes (N=41; 20 male and 21 female) were recruited from 7 of the 11 existing sports at a NCAA Division II institution. Knowledge of daily energy requirements, estimated caloric intake, and a subjective indicator of physical activity level were assessed. Body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and energy requirements were assessed via displacement plethysmography (ADP) (Bod Pod). Comparisons of in-season and out of season perceived caloric needs, estimated caloric intake, and actual energy requirements were made using paired sample T-tests. RESULTS: For males, significant difference were found between estimated caloric intake during in-season and energy requirements, if very active (2745 ± 973 vs. 4339 ± 564), t(20) = -6.21, p <.001, and if active (2745 ± 973 vs. 3672 ± 395, t(20) = -3.70, p = .002, and estimated intake out of season and energy requirements if very active (2627 ± 917 vs. 4339 ± 564), t(20) = -7.21, p <.001, and if active (2627 ± 917 3672 ± 394), t(20) = -4.51 p <.001. Significant differences were also found between in-season perceived and estimated intake (3085 ± 698 vs. 2745 ± 973), t(20) = 2.89, p = .009. For females, significant differences were also found between estimated intake during in-season and energy requirements if very active (2376 ± 653 vs. 3184 ± 378), t(21) = -4.32, p <.001, and estimated intake out of season and energy requirements if very active (1971 ± 880 vs. 3184 ± 378), t(21) = -5.42, p <.001, and if active (1971 ± 880 vs. 2676 ± 318) t(21) = -3.30, p =.004. CONCLUSIONS: Student athletes have limited knowledge of caloric needs as they relate to energy requirements as active or very active athletes. If estimated caloric intake represents actual daily intake, student athletes are not consuming adequate calories to meet energy needs. A follow-up study, using a three-day diet record, is being conducted and will be added to present study for further analysis.