NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT AND PROTEIN NEED IN YOUNG FEMALE COMPETITIVE GYMNASTS AND NON-ACTIVE GIRLS

Abstract

Protein-need recommendations amount usually to 0.8–1.0 g.kg b.wt per day in children and adolescents without any reference to acute exercise or training status. Due to their high impact training in combination with poor nutrition survey, young competitive gymnasts might be at risk later in life. PURPOSE To determine protein intake and nitrogen balance in competitive gymnasts and non-active girls. METHODS Nutrient intake assessment was obtained in 10 healthy non-active and 10 gymnasts girls (7–12 yr) by analysing 7-day food records collected on questionnaires and interviews. The Prodiet 5.1 software was used to determine the average daily intake of nutrients. Nitrogen balance was calculated from mean daily protein intake and total urine nitrogen over 24 hrs. RESULTS The averaged energy consumption was insufficient to cover the energy expenditure in the two groups (1600 kcal/day). Their diet was near to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for total carbohydrate (53%) but widely inappropriate for simple sugar fraction (50%). Lipid fraction was too high (35%) with insufficient polyunsaturated fatty acids. The protein proportion was lower in the gymnast group (11.5%) as compared to the RDA (15%). Insufficient intakes were also noted for several vitamins (B5, A, E), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iodine) and fibre. Nitrogen balance was observed from a mean daily protein intake of 1.50 and 1.23 g.kg b.wt for the non-active and gymnast girls, respectively. CONCLUSION Competitive young female gymnasts need higher protein intake (+ 35%) than the RDA. However, this higher protein need does not seem to be strictly related to the energy expenditure imposed by the exercise training.