Abstract
Abstract Aims: a) to measure individual variations in body mass (BM), sum of skinfolds (SSF) and energy intake of Paralympic track and field athletes b) to evaluate whether individual consumption of macronutrients meets recommended levels in three distinct periods of training. Methods: Ten Paralympic track and field athletes were evaluated during three periods: 1) end of season, 2) after vacation, and 3) preparation for the Paralympic Games London 2012. Food history and the 24-hour Dietary Recall methods provided information on daily food intake. To assess changes in body composition, we measured skinfolds and BM. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe individual results. Results: BM varied among athletes and phases, but most (n=8) had higher SSF after vacation. Four athletes reported an increase in energy intake of more than 500 kcal during their vacation period, while eight athletes reported maintaining their intake in the preparatory phase for the competition. Carbohydrate intake was adequate for most athletes in the end of season period and in the preparatory phase for competition, and most athletes had reduced lipid intake after vacation and in the preparatory phase. Conclusion: We observed important variations in BM and SSF, in food intake and macronutrients between the three evaluated periods. The nutritional status of the athletes suggests that inadequacies that might affect the performance of sprinters and middle-distance runners are more likely to occur during the preparatory period before competitions.
Highlights
Paralympic track and field events are multi-disability sports[1], with different types of disciplines and different demands on the body
The distribution of macronutrients has to be planned to guarantee the availability of substrates to regulate metabolic pathways, and modulate the muscle-skeleton adaptations induced by physical training[4], with athletes continuously monitoring and adjusting their macronutrient consumption in order to optimize their athletic performance[5, 6]
This study evaluated individual variations in BM and SSF and the energy intakes of Paralympic track and field athletes; in addition, we assessed the levels of macronutrient intakes, comparing them to the recommended levels for the athletes at each period
Summary
Paralympic track and field events are multi-disability sports[1], with different types of disciplines and different demands on the body. A good diet supports physical training, reduces the occurrence of disease and injuries and supports physical training[2].Athletes require a diet that can provide enough energy to meet the demands of their training, and avoid any reduction in their performance[3]. The latest scientific knowledge on nutrition allows diets to be customized and adapted to the peculiarities of each sport/discipline and period of training, athletes frequently do not consume diets that are in accordance with these nutritional recommendations[7, 8] The distribution of macronutrients has to be planned to guarantee the availability of substrates to regulate metabolic pathways, and modulate the muscle-skeleton adaptations induced by physical training[4], with athletes continuously monitoring and adjusting their macronutrient consumption in order to optimize their athletic performance[5, 6].
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