Abstract
Beach volleyball is an intermittent team sport played under high temperature and humidity. Given that some nutritional supplements can enhance sports performance, this study aimed to evaluate the quantity and the heterogeneity of the nutritional supplementation practices of amateur (n = 69) and professional (n = 19) beach volley athletes competing in the Italian National Championship; an online form was used to collect data about the supplementation habits. The latent class analysis was used to find sub-groups characterised by different habits regarding supplements consumption. The most frequently used supplements (more than once a week) are vitamins B and C (39.2% of athletes), protein (46.8%), and caffeine (36.9%). The latent class analysis revealed three different sub-groups of athletes: the first class (56.7%) included athletes who were used to take very few supplements, the second class (17.0%) was characterised by higher consumption of supplements and the third class (26.2%) was in the middle between the others two. Groups were characterised not only by the quantity but also by the category of supplements used. Our results highlighted a high heterogeneity in supplementation habits. A pragmatic approach to supplements and sports foods is needed in the face of the evidence that some products can usefully contribute to enhancing performance.
Highlights
Athletes have to train as hard as possible with optimal adaptation and recovery, to remain healthy and injury-free, to achieve a physique that is suited to their event, and to perform at their best on the day(s) of peak competitions [1]
The main result of our study was that three main sub-groups were found using an Latent class analysis (LCA), each group defined by a different behaviour regarding supplements consumption (both type and frequency of defined by a different behaviour regarding supplements consumption; these results highlight a high heterogeneity in the consumption of the supplementsof assumption); these athletes
Results highlight a high heterogeneity in the consumption of the supplements among beach-volley among beach-volley and nutrition are the essential components of the sport performance
Summary
Athletes have to train as hard as possible with optimal adaptation and recovery, to remain healthy and injury-free, to achieve a physique that is suited to their event, and to perform at their best on the day(s) of peak competitions [1]. Beach volleyball is an intermittent team sport played by two teams of two players on a sand court divided by a net [2]. It is characterised by frequent high-intensity efforts interposed by short recovery phases [3]. The performance involves jumps (e.g., attacking, serving, blocking), short sprints, changes of direction and diving digs [4]. Palao et al [3] observed that defenders and blockers performed an average of 27 and 31 jumps, respectively. Beach volleyball is played under demanding environmental conditions: Zetou et al [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
