Intake Of Athletes Research Articles

Water intake in athletes: agreement between food records and isotope-dilution methods

Water intake in athletes: agreement between food records and isotope-dilution methods

Nutrological aspects of polyphenols and gut microbiota in sports performance: a systematic review

Introduction: In the context of nutrology and sports performance, the focus for intake in athletes and physically active individuals has been directed to the main class of polyphenols. Interest in a personalized approach is increasing in sports to maximize each individual's athletic ability in endurance and strength sports. Polyphenols represent a heterogeneous class of compounds with marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The impact of the gut microbiota on the bioavailability and activity of polyphenols is highlighted. Objective: It was to carry out a systematic review to highlight the main relationships between polyphenols, gut microbiota, and sports performance. Methods: The systematic review rules of the PRISMA Platform were followed. The research was carried out from May to July 2023 in Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 115 articles were found, and 81 articles were evaluated in full and 76 were included and developed in this systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 6 studies with a high risk of bias and 10 studies that did not meet GRADE. As a result and conclusion, it was shown that the metabolic mechanisms favored by polyphenols improve sports performance, improve cardiometabolic functions, reduce recovery times and post-exercise pain, maintain a low degree of oxidative stress, and avoid unregulated inflammatory processes. Thus, polyphenols are able, through their interaction with the gut microbiota, to favor the proliferation of bacterial genera of great importance for metabolic and cognitive functions, such as Akkermansia, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria. Gut microbiota metabolizes polyphenols in the colon to produce small bioactive molecules that exert epigenetic mechanisms on biochemical pathways modulating gene expression. Polyphenols have multiple biological effects, and future exercise studies should be appropriately and specifically designed to determine the physiological interactions between exercise and the selected supplement, rather than just considering performance.

Risk of low energy availability and nutrition knowledge among female team sport athletes.

Nutrition knowledge influences adequate dietary intake in athletes. Inadequate dietary intakes can result in low energy availability (LEA) which can lead to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). To date, there is little information on the relationship between nutrition knowledge and the risk of LEA in female team sport athletes. This study investigates if general and sports nutrition knowledge are associated with the risk of LEA in female team athletes. A cross-sectional design was used. Female athletes (>16 years) who participate in team sports in New Zealand were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The LEA in Females Questionnaire and the Abridged Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire were included. LEA risk and general/sports nutrition knowledge were assessed. The relationship between LEA risk and knowledge was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis Test of independent variables and χ2 tests. Among 100 female athletes, 53% were at-risk for LEA, and 70% (N.=67) had poor nutrition knowledge. Athletes who were "at-risk" for LEA and those who were "not at-risk" for LEA did not differ statistically in terms of age (P=0.350) or BMI (P=0.576). Of those "not at risk" 54% had an A-NSK score between 50 and 60% (i.e., average knowledge), whereas 54% of the athletes who were "at risk" for LEA had poor nutrition knowledge. There was no statistical difference between the groups (P=0.273). The poor nutrition knowledge and the high rates of those "at risk" of LEA among team sports athletes indicates the need for more nutrition education in this population.

Soy-Based Tempeh as a Functional Food: Evidence for Human Health and Future Perspective.

Tempeh is an Indonesian traditional food made from fermented soybeans, which offers wide culinary use in East Asian countries. Similar to all fermented foods, its preparation offers the purpose of food preservation. However, preclinical studies have highlighted that microbial action leads to a modification in the nutritional composition of the food's matrix. Although there is a wide availability of data on the beneficial effect of soy, tempeh remains relatively unexplored, perhaps due to its limited diffusion in the world, which limits its research availability. However, available data suggest that tempeh may confer beneficial health effects due to the high bioavailability of nutrients and phytochemicals, showing ameliorative action on oxidative stress, glycaemic control, and blood lipid levels. Furthermore, the high biological value of tempeh means it can be used to optimize protein and caloric intake in athletes, vegetarians, and children. Moreover, the microbial fermentation used in the production of tempeh, in addition to improving the bioavailability of minerals, proteins, fibre, vitamins, and isoflavones, produces biopeptides whose biological effect is currently of great interest. Tempeh can be employed in traditional preparations as well as second-generation foods, such as plant-based meat substitutes, to provide functional and nutritional properties and a higher eco-friendly option compared to animal foods. This review aims to provide an overview of tempeh's properties, regarding human data and future research perspectives.

Efficacy and utility of a tool for both measurement of vitamin B6, B12, D, folate and iron status and assessment of diet quality in athletes.

NutriProfiel® is a tool to measure micronutrient status and to assess diet quality. It consists of measurement of micronutrient status in blood and a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) ('Eetscore-FFQ'). Based on the results, individuals receive a dietary advice. In this study, we evaluated the application of NutriProfiel in athletes ('NutriProfiel-Sport') by assessing the coverage of nutrient intake of the Eetscore-FFQ (part 1) and by evaluating athlete's dietary behaviour after using NutriProfiel-Sport and their satisfaction with this tool (part 2). For part 1, data of 419 athletes were used. We evaluated the coverage of nutrient intake of the Eetscore-FFQ using first and second MOMents (MOM1 and MOM2) sum scores of food items in the questionnaire. Forty-eight athletes were involved in part 2. They gave blood samples for micronutrient status measurement and were asked to complete the Eetscore-FFQ at baseline and after 3 months, as well as a questionnaire on their satisfaction with NutriProfiel-Sport. Results showed that for most nutrients, MOM1 and MOM2 scores were above 80 %, meaning that nutrient intake was sufficiently covered by the Eetscore-FFQ. No difference in diet quality was observed between baseline and after 3 months. Nevertheless, a majority of athletes reported the NutriProfiel-Sport results and advice as useful. On a scale from 0 to 10, NutriProfiel-Sport was graded with a mean (±sd) score of 7⋅6 (±0⋅8). In conclusion, NutriProfiel-Sport is a potential valuable and appreciated tool for athletes and the Eetscore-FFQ as part of this tool sufficiently covers nutrient intake in athletes.

Efeitos da COVID-19 na espessura diafragmática e desempenho físico de atletas

Abstract Introduction Studies suggest that diaphragm thickness (DT) is associated with inspiratory muscle strength and consequently, better ventilatory and mechanical efficiency. On the other hand, infectious diseases such as COVID-19 may impact the structure and function of the respiratory system. Objective Assess the association between DT and the physical performance (PP) of athletes and the effects of COVID-19 infection on these parameters. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 63 athletes of both sexes from different sport modalities (women: 16.67 ± 5.03 years, 52.09 ± 14.01 kg, 155.90 ± 13.86 cm; men: 23.44 ± 9.65 years, 72.24 ± 14.18 kg, 174.84 ± 6.84 cm), submitted to DT assessment using ultrasound, followed by the PP(Yo-Yo) test) to determine maximum oxygen intake (VO2max). Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the association between VO2max and DT, and the Student’s t-test for differences between athletes with a positive and negative diagnosis for COVID-19. The significance level was set at 5%. Results There was no association between DT and PP (r = 0.30 and p = 0.22) or between athletes unaffected and affected by COVID-19 in relation to DT (57.00 ± 0.26 vs 52.00 ± 0.25%; p = 0.91) and PP (43.88 ± 2.29 vs 38.34 ± 13.61 ml/kg/min; p = 0.69). Conclusion DT was not associated with maximum oxygen intake in athletes. In addition, athletes infected by COVID-19 exhibited no differences in VO2max or DT when compared to nonaffected individuals.

High-Protein Concentrated Pro-Yogurt (Pro-WPI) Enriched With Whey Protein Isolate Improved Athletic Anemia and Performance in a Placebo-Controlled Study.

Upcoming developments are attracting attention to both high-protein and probiotics supplementation for the sports community to promote good health and exercise performance. This study aimed at the production of high-protein concentrated pro-yogurt (Pro-WPI) enriched with 10 and 20% whey protein isolate (WPI) and investigation of the response of daily consumption on anthropometric, hematology parameters, and athletic performance in parallel with safety consideration assessment. Twenty-four athletes (19.6 ± 1.45 years; 175.96 ± 5.24 cm; 73.16 ± 8.65 kg) were participated in a randomized placebo-control study. They consumed Pro-WPI products with 10 (T1) and 20% (T2) WPI for treatments G1 (Pro-WPI30) and G2 (Pro-WPI60), respectively, 3 times per day/5 days per week/9 weeks. The taste of Pro-WPI products was sour and cheesy, while mouthfeel was described as soft and thick because of the increased protein content in T1 and T2 (14.15 and 22.58%). The hemoglobin of the athletes increased significantly from a baseline of 12.69 g/dl to 16 and 16.66 g/dl in G1 and G2, respectively. Furthermore, the athletic performance was enhanced in vertical jump, long jump, sprinting velocity, half squats, and pushups, which reached 58.75 cm, 255 cm, 3.5 m/s, 218.75 counts, and 85 counts, respectively in G2. The healthy gut microbiome (probiotics) in parallel with increased iron bioavailability by mineral binding (whey bioactive peptides), influenced iron status and can represent a healthy practice to improve athletic anemia and performance. On the other hand, urinary albumin exceeded the border of reference range (<30 mg/g) and reached 38.25 and 44.13 mg/g in G1 and G2, while urine pH was in the normal range (4.5–8). Increased urinary albumin might be due to high rates of protein metabolism that follow high protein intake. This study provided preliminary information on metabolic responses to high protein concentrated yogurt intake in athletes who engaged in daily exercise. Further studies are needed to determine the recommended intensity of 10 and 20% Pro-WPI product consumption to achieve its benefits and avoid implications on kidney function.

Developing Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Measures for Athletes With the Knowledge–Attitude–Behavior Model

ABSTRACT Purpose: Nutrition education programmes are often created to improve dietary intake in athletes. Unfortunately, the inconsistent link between nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior suggests that nutrition knowledge may not be a key influencer of dietary behavior. The Knowledge–Attitude–Behavior (KAB) model has been used in nutrition education although studies that evaluated this model were largely compromised by poorly constructed instruments and methodological discrepancies. Method: To improve understanding of the model, a Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (NKQ) and Athlete’s Perspective on Nutrition (APN) instrument was developed using the theory of planned behavior as its theoretical framework. Validity and reliability were examined for 193 Sports Science students and 11 elite netballers. Content and face validity of the 48-item NKQ was confirmed by expert sport dietitians. Discriminant validity of the NKQ and factorial validity of the APN was established. Both instruments demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. The final instruments were administered to elite athletes in a pilot study to understand the KAB model. Results: Correlation between nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior was significant (r = .811, p = .01). Nutrition knowledge was a positive predictor of netballers’ dietary behavior (β = .8, t(2) = 3.899, p = .005) but attitude was not (β = −.097, t(2) = −.471, p = .65). Conclusion: Two psychometrically sound instruments developed in this study can be used to measure nutrition knowledge and attitude in an Asian group of athletes. The pilot study with athletes showed that nutrition knowledge predicted dietary behavior.

Testosterone Boosters Intake in Athletes: Current Evidence and Further Directions

“Testosterone boosters” (TB)—are supplements that are claimed to increase testosterone levels in the human body. While the consumption of TB may be popular among athletes, there is insufficient evidence both about the safety and the real efficacy of TB. In our review, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane Library for studies on the effects of 15 substances that are claimed to increase testosterone levels Anacyclus pyrethrum; Bulbine natalensis; Epimedium (horny goat weed); L-arginine; L-carnitine; magnesium; Mucuna pruriens; pantothenic acid; selenium; shilajit Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali); Serenoa repens (saw palmetto); boron; Withania somnifera (ashwagandha); and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in athletes and healthy adults under 55 years of age. We found such studies regarding 10 out of 15 substances: L-arginine (3 studies); L-carnitine (2); magnesium (1); selenium (2); shilajit (1); Tongkat Ali (2); Serenoa repens (1); boron (3); ashwagandha root (2); and fenugreek (7). Many of them fail to prove the efficacy of these substances to increase testosterone levels. Tongkat Ali, ashwagandha, and fenugreek were the substances with the strongest evidence. The positive effect of magnesium and shilajit on testosterone concentration was shown in single studies. Conflicting data found that L-arginine, L-carnitine, Serenoa repens, selenium and boron do not appear to increase testosterone levels. There are almost no data on the safety profile of various TB components; however, certain TB components may be linked to coagulation, and pancreatic and hepatic disorders. Based on the review, the authors conclude that at present TB cannot be recommended for use by athletes due to insufficient data on their efficacy and safety.

Exertional sodium loss does not increase immediate salt appetite or dietary sodium intake in athletes

We tested whether salt preference increases immediately after exertion-induced Na+ loss in sweat, and whether this may generalise to an increase in habitual dietary Na+ intake. For the first aim, trained athletes (n = 20) exercised in 2 ambient temperatures and sweat Na+ loss related to immediate salt preference assessed by taste, intake and psychophysical tests. For the second aim, we compared dietary and urinary Na+, and salt preference, seasoning and hedonics in the athletes and sedentary men (n = 20). No relationship was found between sodium loss during exercise and immediate preference for salt or psychophysical responses, and no differences in comparison to sedentary men. However, athlete diet had fewer foods (29.4 ± 1.5 vs 37.8 ± 1.9, p < 0.001), less seasoning (19 vs 32. p = 0.011) and more athletes reported dietary limitations (31 vs 11, p < 0.05), although nutrient content did not differ. Together these might suggest athlete adherence to a healthy diet at the expense of variety and flavour and a dissociation between dietary reports and intake. Athletes, more than controls, liked foods rich in energy and K+ suggesting compensatory-driven hedonics, although overall their intake did not differ. The findings are consistent with the absence of a salt appetite responding to Na+ loss in humans, and specifically that trained athletes do not increase their preference for salt in immediate response to exertion-induced Na+ loss and are not at risk for increased dietary Na+ compared to sedentary men.

Evaluation of nutrition knowledge in elite and sub-elite Gaelic football players

ABSTRACT Nutrition knowledge is a key factor for consideration when evaluating the dietary intake of athletes. Positive associations have been established between higher nutrition knowledge and improved quality of dietary intake. Given the negative impact poor nutrition can have on performance and training adaptation, further investigation into athletes’ nutrition knowledge is warranted. Inadequacies in Gaelic football players dietary intake have been observed however, no assessment of nutrition knowledge has been reported. This study examined players knowledge and compared results by playing level, education level, and history of nutrition education. An online survey was disseminated to a sample of male Gaelic football players (n = 152, mean age = 24.5 ± 5.9). This included 68 club (sub-elite) and 84 inter-county players (elite). Total score was 44.3 ± 12.7%, classified as “poor” and lower than previous findings from similar sports. There were no differences between playing level, however when grouped by education level those with master’s degree scored higher by 9.9% in comparison to leaving certificate (upper secondary) (P= 0.009, d = .805). Those with previous nutrition education also demonstrated higher scores by 12.5% (P<.001, d = 1.096). The evidence presented highlights that Gaelic football players may benefit from evidence-based nutrition education interventions.

Effects of Short Term Omega-3 Supplementation on Body Composition, Food Intake, and Lipid Profile in Elite Athletes: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Previous studies consistently showed a key role for omega-3 fatty acids in decreasing fat mass (FM) in animal models. Also, increased omega-3 stimulates fat loss in individuals who experience obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, it is not known whether omega-3 supplementation make similar effects in healthy individuals with low FM. This study aimed to investigate the effects of omega-3 on changes in body composition, food intake, and lipid profile in healthy athletes. In this double-blind placebo-controlled RCT, 36 healthy athletes were allocated into omega-3 or placebo groups. Physical activity (global physical activity questionnaire), dietary intake (24-h food recall), anthropometric status, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and after 3-weeks. 35 volunteers completed the trial. The weight did not significantly change at the end of the study. Body fat% decreased significantly at the end of the study in the omega-3 group (p=0.003), but intergroup differences were not significant (p=0.77). FM decreased and fat free mass (FFM) increased in omega-3 groups (p&lt;0.05). HDL-C increased (omega-3 group p=0.001; placebo group p=0.01; after adjustment for baseline values p=0.78). Also, in the omega-3 group, energy intake (p=0.0007) and protein intake (p=0.04) increased after intervention, but after baseline adjustments they were not significant. In conclusion, 3-week omega-3 supplementation seems to be not effective in decreased FM, increased HDL-C, and energy and protein intakes in athletes. Further studies are recommended to determine the effect of different doses of omega-3 on adipose tissue and blood lipids in athletes with low FM. Clinical Trial Registration The present study was prospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Studies on December 19, 2019 (ID: 20190625044008N1).

The effectiveness of nutrition education programmes on improving dietary intake in athletes: a systematic review.

Nutrition education programmes for athletes aim to enhance nutrition knowledge and more importantly support positive dietary change to enhance performance, health and well-being. This systematic review assessed changes in the dietary intakes of athletes in response to nutrition education programmes. A search was conducted which included studies providing quantitative dietary intake assessment of athletes of any calibre aged between 12 and 65 years in response to a nutrition education programme. Standardised differences (effect sizes) were calculated (when possible) for each dietary parameter. The search yielded 6285 papers with twenty-two studies (974 participants (71·9 % female)) eligible for inclusion. Studies described athletes competing at high school (n 3) through to college level or higher (n 19). Study designs were either single arm with an intervention-only group (twelve studies; n 241) or double arm including an intervention and control group (ten studies; n 689). No control groups received an alternative or 'sham' intervention. Face-to-face lectures (9/22) and individual nutrition counselling (6/22) were the most common education interventions. Non-weighed, 3-d diet records (10/22) were the most frequently utilised dietary assessment method. Although 14/22 studies (n 5 single and n 9 double) reported significant change in at least one nutrition parameter, dietary changes were inconsistent. Poor study quality and heterogeneity of methods prohibit firm conclusions regarding overall intervention success or superior types of educational modalities. Of note, carbohydrate intakes 'post-intervention' when assessed often failed to meet recommended guidelines (12/17 studies). Given the substantial investment made in nutrition education interventions with athletes, there is a need for well-designed and rigorous research to inform future best practice.

Intake of antioxidant vitamins in women with different physical activity levels

Summary Study aim: The purpose of this study was to compare intake of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) in young women with various levels of physical activity. Material and methods: The study included 3 groups of females: 40 women with no extra physical activity (Sedentary), 40 women involved in regular, moderate sports activities (Recreationally Active) and 40 female athletes competing at an international level (Athletes). Participants’ diet was assessed on the basis of 3-day diet records which were analysed using the computer program ‘Dieta 5.0’. Body composition was evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Results: Athletes were characterized by the lowest body fat and highest lean body mass in comparison with the other groups. They also showed the highest intake of energy, proteins and carbohydrates compared to Active and Sedentary women. The consumption of vitamin A amounted to 180.0% of RDA in Athletes, 98.8% in Recreationally Active and 97.8% in Sedentary women. Vitamin C intake in Athletes equalled 275.0% of RDA, whereas the deficiency of this vitamin was observed in Recreationally Active and Sedentary women (62.3% and 46.1% of RDA, respectively). The study groups showed consumption of vitamin E at the level of 146.7% of AI in Athletes, 115.0% in Recreationally Active and 111.3% in Sedentary women. Conclusion: Athletes consumed excessive amounts of antioxidant vitamins. Recreationally Active and Sedentary women met the demand for vitamin A and E, but the intake of vitamin C was not sufficient, which could lead to health problems. The current findings also indicate that energy intake was at a low level regardless of the study group.

Evaluation of Vitamin K Intake and Its Relation to Bone Mineral Density

Vitamin K is a required nutrient important in bone health. Some researchers have reported that vitamin K can help to prevent bone fractures. PURPOSE: To explore whether a relationship exists between vitamin K intake and bone mineral density (BMD) among athletes, 18 to < 35 years of age and ≥ 35 years of age. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, where 198 athletes were measured for total body BMD (TBBMD), lumbar spine BMD (LBMD), and dual femoral neck BMD (FNBMD) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Athletes also completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to determine their average daily intake of Vitamin K intake, as phylloquinone (also known as vitamin K1). Athletes were separated into two age groups: 18 to < 35 years of age (57 women; 42 men) (28.10±3.86 years of age) and ≥ 35 years of age (60 women; 39 men) (46.21±8.80 years of age). Pearson correlation models were used to correlate all three BMD sites with vitamin K intake. Alpha levels were set a priori at p<0.05. RESULTS: In the 18 to < 35 years of age group, mean vitamin K intake was 370.75±265.82 mcg/day. Significant correlations were reported between all three BMD sites and vitamin K intake in this age group (n=99): TBBMD r= -0.254, p<0.05; LBMD r=-0.248, p<0.05; FNBMD r= -0.278, p<0.05. In the ≥ 35 years of age group, mean vitamin K intake was 406.27±267.99 mcg/day. There was no significant correlation between vitamin K intake and any of the three BMD sites in the ≥ 35 years of age group (n=99). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the average vitamin K intake in these athletes was over 300% of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), where 97.1% of female athletes and 79.2% of male athletes met and exceeded their respective DRI (90 mcg/day for women, 120 mcg/day for men). It is unclear, however, why a negative relationship existed between vitamin K intake and BMD in athletes 18 to < 35 years of age, and no relationship existed in athletes ≥ 35 years of age. A prospective study should be conducted to better elucidate these relationships. This study was not funded.

Measurement, Determinants, and Implications of Energy Intake in Athletes.

Appropriate energy intake is important for the health and performance of athletes. When an athlete’s energy intake is not concordant with energy expenditure, short- and long-term performance can be compromised and negative health effects may arise. The energy intake patterns of athletes are subject to numerous effectors, including exercise response, time, and availability of food. To assess different determinants of energy intake in athletes, we reviewed recent literature regarding the response of appetite-regulating hormones to exercise, appetite perceptions following exercise, chronic exercise-induced adaptations regarding appetite, and social factors regarding energy intake. Additionally, we discussed consequences of aberrant energy intake. The purpose of this review is to clarify understanding about energy intake in athletes and provide insights into methods toward maintaining proper energy intake.

Lower Serum Zinc Concentration Despite Higher Dietary Zinc Intake in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Zinc is an essential trace element that has been implicated in numerous biological functions, including immunity, energy metabolism and antioxidative processes. Recent evaluations of the literature have provided evidence of significant acute changes in zinc metabolism following a bout of aerobic exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the zinc status of trained athletes compared with control populations, as described in cross-sectional studies. We conducted a systematic literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Library electronic databases from inception to 28 January 2016 to identify cross-sectional studies that determined the zinc status of athletes compared with a control population. Meta-analysis of the differences in serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake between groups were conducted. Twelve studies were included in the systematic review. Of the included studies, nine and eight studies provided sufficient data for the meta-analysis of serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake, respectively. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in athletes [-0.93μmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.62 to -0.23] despite significantly higher dietary zinc intake compared with the control population (2.57mg/day, 95% CI 0.97-4.16). Data on erythrocyte and urinary zinc from the included studies were insufficient for meta-analysis. Despite higher total dietary zinc intake, athletes generally have lower serum zinc concentration, which suggests that athletes have higher requirement of zinc than those who are physically inactive. Further investigations of zinc metabolism during exercise and dietary zinc requirement in active populations are needed to establish evidence-based recommendations.

Nutritional supplement-usage associated characteristics of high-performing athletes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse differences in sociodemographic and sporting characteristics, health-behaviours, and food intake of athletes using and not using nutritional supplements (NS). Design/methodology/approach – High-performance Portuguese athletes from 13 sports completed a NS usage questionnaire, assessing information on sociodemographic (sex, age, height, weight, athlete’s, and parental education level), health-related (smoking, daily time of sleeping, walking, and sitting), and sporting (type, number of international performances, weekly hours of training and weekly hours of gym) characteristics; and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (86 items), regarding the previous 12 months. Findings – From the 241 athletes (66 per cent males, 13-37 years), 64 per cent reported NS use. Supplement usage was associated with age 18 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.57, 95 per cent; confidence interval (CI) 1.17-5.65), performing individual sports (OR 5.45, 95 per cent; CI 2.49-11.93) and &gt; 2 h gym/week (OR 2.42, 95 per cent; CI 1.15-5.11), a higher consumption of meat (OR 2.83, 95 per cent; CI 1.36-5.90), eggs (OR 2.53, 95 per cent; CI 1.07-5.96), and yogurt (OR 2.24, 95 per cent; CI 1.08-4.62), and a lower intake of processed meat (OR 0.32, 95 per cent; CI 0.15-0.72), vegetable oils (OR 0.35, 95 per cent; CI 0.17-0.74), margarine (OR 0.37, 95 per cent; CI 0.18-0.76), chips (OR 0.22, 95 per cent; CI 0.10-0.48), and fast food (OR 0.42, 95 per cent; CI 0.19-0.91). Originality/value – Athletes using NS had different characteristics from non-users, and seemed to have healthier and more sports-oriented food choices. Our findings may help sport and health professionals to identify an alleged or future NS user, enabling the development of a timely and self-directed supplement scheme.

Optimal Protein Intake in Athletes

Optimal Protein Intake in Athletes

Dietary Intake Of Athletes Seeking Nutrition Advice At A Major International Competition

Dietary intake can play an important role in athlete’s preparation for competition. However, there is currently limited data on the dietary intake of athletes from varying countries and sports while attending and competing at a major international competition. PURPOSE: To investigate the dietary intake of athletes who sought nutrition advice from dieticians located at a nutrition kiosk in the dining hall at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. METHODS: Four Australian Registered Dieticians based at the main dining hall nutrition kiosk performed a 24hr recall on a standard proforma with athletes who approached the nutrition kiosk for assistance. Dietary analysis was conducted using FoodWorks (Xyris Pty Ltd). RESULTS: A total of 30 athletes representing 15 countries (Africa, Caribbean, India, United Kingdom, and Oceania) and 12 sports (endurance, power/sprint, racquet, skill, team, and weight category) approached the kiosk prior to competition, with the majority requesting advice for weight management and making weight (n = 21). Overall, athletes reported consuming carbohydrate within the range of 1.0 - 9.0g/kg BW (M = 4.1g/kg BW) which contributed to 49% TE (range 14% - 79%), protein intake from 0.3 - 4.3g/ kg BW (M = 1.8g/kg BW) and 22% TE (range 8% - 48%), and fat intake from 9.5 - 130g (M = 68.6g, 28% TE). Athletes in weight category sports (n = 9) reported the lowest energy intake (M = 6909kJ, range 2384 - 14,560kJ), however had the highest contribution of energy from protein (M = 1.5g/kg BW, 26% TE), and lowest from carbohydrate (M = 2.9g/kg BW, 48% TE), and fat (M = 48.8g, 23% TE). The majority of athletes reported consuming 3 main meals (n = 23, 77%), with a high proportion of total energy intake at these meals versus snacks (M = 86% vs. 14% TE, SD = 12.2). Five athletes did not consume any snacks. Sports drinks were consumed mid meal by 14 athletes and contributed to over half of the TE between meals (M = 55%, SD = 32). CONCLUSIONS: The reported dietary intake of a sample of athletes requiring assistance at this large scale competition event suggests that a number of these athletes do not meet current, evidence based recommendations. Further investigation of the dietary intake of athletes prior to competition will assist with refi ning the nutrition support required to assist with meeting these recommendations.