Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide information on energy availability (EA), macronutrient intake, nutritional periodization practices, and nutrition knowledge in young female cross-country skiers. A total of 19 skiers filled in weighted food and training logs before and during a training camp. Nutrition knowledge was assessed via a validated questionnaire. EA was optimal in 11% of athletes at home (mean 33.7 ± 9.6 kcal·kgFFM−1·d−1) and in 42% at camp (mean 40.3 ± 17.3 kcal·kgFFM−1·d−1). Most athletes (74%) failed to meet recommendations for carbohydrate intake at home (mean 5.0 ± 1.2 g·kg−1·d−1) and 63% failed to do so at camp (mean 7.1 ± 1.6 g·kg−1·d−1). The lower threshold of the pre-exercise carbohydrate recommendations was met by 58% and 89% of athletes while percentages were 26% and 89% within 1 h after exercise, at home and at camp, respectively. None of the athletes met the recommendations within 4 h after exercise. Nutrition knowledge was associated with EA at home (r = 0.52, p = 0.023), and with daily carbohydrate intake at home (r = 0.62, p = 0.005) and at camp (r = 0.52, p = 0.023). Carbohydrate intake within 1 and 4 h post-exercise at home was associated with better nutrition knowledge (r = 0.65, p = 0.003; r = 0.53, p = 0.019, respectively). In conclusion, young female cross-county skiers had difficulties meeting recommendations for optimal EA and carbohydrate intake. Better nutrition knowledge may help young athletes to meet these recommendations.
Highlights
Cross-country (XC) skiing is a demanding sport, where success requires high aerobic and anaerobic capacities, as well as the ability to produce high power and speed [1,2].To reach these requirements XC skiers periodize high amounts of training by varying exercise type, volume, intensity, and frequency between single workouts, days, weeks, and months [3,4]
Teenage female athletes may be at higher risk for stress fractures caused by low energy availability (EA) [11], and adequate dietary intake is especially important among young female athletes
Intake of energy (p < 0.001, d = 1.69), protein (p = 0.002, d = 0.84), and CHO (p < 0.001, d = 2.36), as well as EEE (p < 0.001, d = 2.21) were lower at HOME compared to CAMP, while an increased trend from HOME to CAMP was observed in EA (p = 0.065, d = 0.47)
Summary
Cross-country (XC) skiing is a demanding sport, where success requires high aerobic and anaerobic capacities, as well as the ability to produce high power and speed [1,2]. To reach these requirements XC skiers periodize high amounts of training by varying exercise type, volume, intensity, and frequency between single workouts, days, weeks, and months [3,4]. Teenage female athletes may be at higher risk for stress fractures caused by low EA [11], and adequate dietary intake is especially important among young female athletes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
