Sports Nutrition Research Articles

Role of Technology Innovation in Telemedicine: Focus on Sport Nutrition

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant transformation in the field of telehealth and telemedicine, as systems have been improved to meet the increased demand for remote healthcare services. Many ordinary technologies have been equipped to facilitate the normal relationship between patients and specialists. These technologies were put into action in a short period of time, creating a gap between the limits of common technologies and the special needs of telemedicine patients. Furthermore, focusing the lens on the special needs of sports in terms of nutrition, we see that research demonstrates the possibility of improving athletic performance by introducing technological diet support. This review aims to provide an overview of the technologies successfully implemented in telemedicine systems, a look at new modeling approaches, and a study on the roles of new enabling technologies in the process. It aims to highlight the results of the employment of telemedicine in sports dietary support and present open research challenges and recommendations for future research on a new application of technologies in telemedicine, for both the industrial and academic sectors. Literature was identified through intensive research work, reviewing articles related to the topics of new technologies in telemedicine and sports dietary support systems. The review concludes that it is possible to envisage the design of future models in the eHealth sector related to nutrition and sports, confirming the important role of telemedicine in a healthy lifestyle.

Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo.

Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo.

Effects of a Recommended Sports Nutrition Program for Weight Lose in Elderly Men with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Effects of a Recommended Sports Nutrition Program for Weight Lose in Elderly Men with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

How to Choose Right Dietary Supplement Brand among all Available Options

The world of dietary supplements is expansive, offering consumers a plethora of options to support their health and wellness goals. In this comprehensive whitepaper, we look into the particulars of the dietary supplement industry, providing insights and guidance to allow consumers to make informed decisions. From vitamins and minerals to herbal remedies and sports nutrition supplements, we explore the diverse market of dietary supplements and popular brands.

МАРКЕТИНГОВОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ РОССИЙСКОГО ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОГО РЫНКА ПРОДУКТОВ ПИТАНИЯ С ДОБАВЛЕНИЕМ БЕЛКОВ МОЛОКА ДЛЯ ЛЮДЕЙ

A marketing study of the Russian pharmaceutical market of food products with the addition of milk proteins was carried out. The study revealed that the leading position in the Russian pharmaceutical market is occupied by products for artificial nutrition, which is 37.91%; diet food - 29.95%; in the form of soy-protein cocktails - 7.11%; for sports nutrition - 5.69%; complementary foods - 5.69%. Other food products with the addition of milk proteins account for 13.74% of the total assortment. In particular, the smallest amount is occupied by products for medical nutrition intended for children with phenylketonuria aged from 1 year - 0.47%; protein-energy cocktails to support a weakened body - 1.42%; specialized products of children's dietary (therapeutic) nutrition for children from 0 to 1 year old, patients with type 1 glutaric aciduria - 2.36%.

Bridging the gap: Evidence-based practice guidelines for sports nutritionists.

Evidence-based practice is a systematic approach to decision-making developed in the 1990s to help healthcare professionals identify and use the best available evidence to guide clinical practice and patient outcomes amid a plethora of information in often challenging, time-constrained circumstances. Today's sports nutrition practitioners face similar challenges, as they must assess and judge the quality of evidence and its appropriateness to their athlete, in the often chaotic, time-pressed environment of professional sport. To this end, we present an adapted version of the evidence-based framework to support practitioners in navigating their way through the deluge of available information and guide their recommendations to athletes whilst also reflecting on their practice experience and skills as evidence-based practitioners, thus, helping to bridge the gap between science and practice in sport and exercise nutrition.

Optimizing health promotion through visual media innovation for youth soccer athletes

Background: The inconsistency of performance for adolescent soccer athletes is caused by inappropriate nutrition practices. The study on U-14 to U-18 soccer athletes showed 20% of athletes lacked fluid intake and 87% of athletes had low energy and protein intake. Objective: This study aims to develop health promotion media for youth soccer athletes. Methods: This study assessed the feasibility of the developed media which consists of two stages. The first stage is the media feasibility assessment conducted by experts who focused on developing health promotion media. Results: The feasibility of sports nutrition pyramid poster, meal plate poster, and infographic is 3.2; 3.4; and 3.3. The sports nutrition pyramid poster has scores of 3 (layout); 3.5 (design); 3.2 (content). The meal plate poster has scores of 3.25 (layout); 3 (design); 3.7 (content). The infographic has scores of 3 (layout); 3 (design); 3.7 (content). There was an increase in the athlete's knowledge score from 65 to 79 (p=0.001). Conclusion: All media are feasible to be used as athletes’ health promotion media.

Body Composition, Energy Availability, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Sport Nutrition Knowledge in Young Athletes

94 male (n = 42) and female (n = 52) mean ± SD age: 18.09 ± 2.44 y; height: 172.6 ± 9.8 cm; body mass: 68.7 ± 14.5 kg; BMI: 22.91 ± 3.3 kg·m-2) athletes completed a body composition assessment and electronic versions of the abridged sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ASNK-Q), brief eating disorder in athletes questionnaire (BEDA-Q), and the low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q; females only). 52.1% of female athletes were classified as being at risk for LEA. Moderate inverse relationships existed for computed LEAF-Q scores and BMI (r = -0.394; p < 0.01). A total of 42.9% of males (n = 18) and 68.6% of females (n = 35) were at risk for eating disorders, with females being at greater risk (p < 0.01). Body fat percentage was a predictor (β = -0.095; p = -0.01) for eating disorder risk status. For every 1 unit increase in body fat percentage, athletes were 0.909 (95% CI: 0.845-0.977) times less likely to be classified as at risk for an eating disorder. Male (46.5 ± 13.9) and female (46.9 ± 11.4) athletes scored poorly on the ASNK-Q, with no differences between sex (p = 0.895). Female athletes were at a greater risk for eating disorders. No relationships existed between sport nutrition knowledge and %BF. Female athletes with a higher %BF had a lower risk for an eating disorder and risk for LEA.

Goal Setting and Parental Participation in a piloted High School Football Sports Nutrition Education Program

Introduction: There is a lack of research on how parental involvement in an adolescent athlete’s sports nutrition program can impact an athlete’s adherence to nutrition related goals. Thus, this investigation aimed to examine the difference in the high school football athlete’s adherence to self-identified dietary goals in relation to parental involvement in the program. Methods: A total of 25 high school football athletes and 25 parents participated in a six week-long WAVE sports nutrition education program. 64% of participants (athletes &amp; parents) completed the 12-week post follow up (n=32). Athletes and parents completed sports nutrition knowledge questionnaires and food frequency questionnaires. Additionally, parents completed self-efficacy questionnaires to rank their confidence in preparing healthy meals and cooking. Results: There were significant changes in parents' sports nutrition knowledge scores from initial to the 12-week follow up (p&lt;0.001) The parents’ self-efficacy around choosing and preparing healthy food options also increased from initial to the 12-week follow up (p=0.004). No significant difference was found between parent’s attendance and the athlete’s adherence to long-term goals. Conclusions: The increase in parent's overall sports nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy around preparing and cooking healthy foods did not significantly affect athlete’s adherence to their self-identified goals.

The Prevalence of Online Natural Health Products Purchase: A Systematic Review

Aim and design: This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of online natural health products (NHPs) purchases among consumers. Data Sources: Four databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Sciences) were searched for articles published up to July 1, 2021. Review Method: Studies included were those reporting the prevalence of online NHPs purchases, those excluded were case reports, commentaries, letters, editorials, review articles, theses and non-English studies. The risk of bias of selected studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklist, and the pooled prevalence of online NHPs purchases was generated using the random-effect model. Results: A total of 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis, representing a total of 40,535 respondents. The pooled prevalence of online NHPs purchases was estimated at 7.60% (95% CI: 5.49, 10.01). Prevalence was higher in studies conducted in recent years, among physically active populations and when sports nutrition was included within the scope of NHPs. More than half of the selected studies have a moderate risk of bias, and considerable heterogeneity was observed across the selected studies. Conclusion and Impact: Online purchases of NHPs are not common among consumers, but they have become more common in recent years. A wide range of NHPs were investigated across studies, which may have contributed to the considerable heterogeneity reported in this review. It is suggested that future studies investigating online NHPs purchases consider reporting individual prevalence statistics specific to each NHP type, to facilitate meaningful comparisons between studies.

A Scoping Review with Bibliometric Analysis of Para-Rowing: State of the Art and Future Directions.

Para-rowing is a format of rowing practiced by people with different types of disabilities, thanks to adapted equipment set-ups and regulations. Para-rowing made its debut recently at the 2008 Paralympic Games. According to the mandate of the "International Paralympic Committee", para-rowers should be enabled to pursue sporting excellence. Therefore, rigorous research is needed in terms of well-designed, high-quality studies. To the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic appraisals of the body of scholarly evidence in the field of para-rowing. As such, a scoping review enhanced by bibliometric analyses was carried out to provide a comprehensive synthesis of knowledge related to para-rowing for the perusal of practitioners and athletes. By mining eighteen major databases, 17 studies were retained in the present review. The included studies were found to focus on a range of aspects involving health, the etiology of injuries (n = 5), psychological and physiological responses (n = 5), performance, biomechanical analysis (n = 4), and new analytical approaches for kinematic assessments and predictions of mechanical outputs in para-rowers (n = 3). The scholarly community on para-rowing consists of 78 researchers, 16 (20.51%) of whom are highly interconnected. The most prolific author was Smoljanović T., from Croatia, with three items/documents. In total, 93.6% of scholars have authored one single document. Topological features indicated a highly fragmented and dispersed, poorly connected community characterized by a high number of clusters and a low strength of connections. In terms of publication years, the first scholarly article dates back to 2008, with four articles (23.5%) published in the current year, showing an increasing interest in this para-sports discipline. Finally, gaps in current research on para-rowing were identified in terms of overlooked topics, including sports nutrition, doping, and psychological aspects in para-rowers other than those with visual impairment.

The effects of brand equity on millennials’ purchase decision for sports nutrition products in Ireland

Based on the theory of planned behaviour, this study investigates whether brand equity influences the purchase intention for sports nutrition products among millennials in Ireland and what factors influence their purchase decision. This research reports the results of a survey of 102 millennials. The results suggest that brand equity influences millennials' purchase intention and that it is also influenced by subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Furthermore, the analysis shows a correlation between brand equity and its subdimensions (brand awareness/associations, perceived quality, brand loyalty) and purchase intention. This study contributes to the brand management literature in the sports nutrition industry and provided brand managers with various suggestions on how to build brand equity in their business practices.

Functional and hormone changes in ice hockey players using Cytoflavin

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of 35-day Cytoflavin consumption on hormonal status, blood lactate level and functional parameters in elite ice hockey players. Material and methods: the study included 60 male professional hockey players (aged 19 to 36 years) divided into two groups of 30 subjects. Group I underwent a course of metabolic therapy with the use of succinic acid (Cytoflavin) for 35 days. Group II whose pharmacological support included only "basic" sports nutrition did not include succinic acid preparations or other metabolic agents. All patients underwent blood pressure and heart rate measurements, laboratory tests, pulse oximetry, ergospirometry. Trends in lactate levels in the blood and hormonal status in athletes were assessed. Moreover, such parameters as testing time, maximum heart rate, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), aerobic and anaerobic threshold pulse, time to reach the aerobic and anaerobic threshold were analyzed. Results: athletes who received a course of metabolic therapy on the 35th day of the preparatory period showed a significant increase in the indicators of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), the time of the test and the time of the anaerobic threshold (p&lt;0.05), which, against the background of a statistically significant decrease in lactate levels (p=0.014) indicates an improvement in aerobic performance and the possibility of faster recovery of athletes after physical exertion compared with athletes who did not receive metabolic therapy with succinic acid. Conclusion: The results obtained allow us to recommend the use of step therapy with succinic acid as a metabolic therapy for professional hockey players in the preparatory period.

Lower calcium and iron intake in adolescent gymnasts: A case of concern for youth sports nutrition

ObjectivesDiet is important for the appropriate development and maturation of young amateur athletes. The aim of this study was to determine whether young gymnasts were consuming adequate amounts of nutrients, particularly calcium and iron. MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted in Portugal's Almada and Lisbon regions in 2020. To determine if participants’ diet was adequate, weight, height, and skinfold measurements were taken. Dietary consumption was examined using two 24-h recalls. We collected data from 66 participants (60% females, 12–18 y of age), of whom 82% had normal weight and 39% had ideal body fat. ResultsThe daily total energy intake (TEI) was1605 ± 601 kcal. Of the TEI, 19%, 31%, and 50% were comprised of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, respectively. The most often consumed protein sources were poultry and ultra-processed meat products (52% and 45%, respectively). The average daily consumption of calcium and iron was 626 ± 293 and 9 ± 3 mg, respectively. Only 2 of the 66 participants had calcium intake within recommended levels, and 1of 5 had iron intake within recommended levels, the percentage of which was lower in girls than boys (7.5% versus 38.5%, P < 0.05). ConclusionsDespite having a sufficient macronutrient distribution, Portuguese gymnasts consume a high amount of ultra-processed items and a low amount of calcium and iron. The low proportion of female gymnasts with adequate iron consumption is cause for worry in sports nutrition.

Effects of a 16-Week Digital Intervention on Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Behavior in Female Endurance Athletes with Risk of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).

Female endurance athletes are considered a high-risk group for developing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Due to the lack of educational and behavioral intervention studies, targeting and evaluating the effects of the practical daily management of REDs, we developed the Food and nUtrition for Endurance athletes-a Learning (FUEL) program, consisting of 16 weekly online lectures and individual athlete-centered nutrition counseling every other week. We recruited female endurance athletes from Norway (n = 60), Sweden (n = 84), Ireland (n = 17), and Germany (n = 47). Fifty athletes with symptoms of REDs and with low risk of eating disorders, with no use of hormonal contraceptives and no chronic diseases, were allocated to either the FUEL intervention (n = 32) (FUEL) or a 16-week control period (n = 18) (CON). All but one completed FUEL, while 15 completed CON. We found strong evidence for improvements in sports nutrition knowledge, assessed via interviews, and moderate to strong evidence in the ratings concerning self-perceived sports nutrition knowledge in FUEL versus CON. Analyses of the seven-day prospective weighed food record and questions related to sports nutrition habits, suggested weak evidence for improvements in FUEL versus CON. The FUEL intervention improved sports nutrition knowledge and suggested weak evidence for improved sports nutrition behavior in female endurance athletes with symptoms of REDs.

Seasonal health tracking of Australian Football League Women’s athletes

ABSTRACT Background Studies evaluating the dietary intake of Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) athletes are few and limited to the preseason. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate seasonal changes in dietary intake and health parameters of professional AFLW athletes. Methodology Dietary intake (3-day weighed food records), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, skinfolds), physical performance (global positioning system, GPS), and iron status (fasted blood sample) were assessed in 19 athletes (24 ± 5 years, 170 ± 6 cm, 22.8 ± 2.1 kg/m2) at three timepoints: start of preseason, end of preseason, and end of competition season. Sociodemographic information, sports nutrition knowledge (SNK), and risk of low energy availability (LEA) questionnaires were completed at the start of preseason. Results Mean daily energy and carbohydrate (CHO) intakes were lower than recommendations across all seasons (p < 0.05). Mean daily CHO intake was highest at start of preseason (3.6 g/kg/day), decreased during preseason (3.1 g/day) and remained low during competition (3.2 g/day); >80% of players did not meet minimum recommendations at each timepoint (all, p < 0.05). The sum of seven skinfolds and fat mass (%) decreased during preseason (both, p < 0.05). Serum iron fell within recommended ranges for 95% of athletes at all timepoints. The total distance (m) and number of Very High Intensity (>21 km/h) efforts significantly increased across preseason and decreased during competition (all, p < 0.05). Nutrition knowledge was ‘poor’, and 42% of athletes were at risk of LEA. Conclusions AFLW athletes do not meet energy and carbohydrate requirements across the preseason and competition seasons, which may impact health and performance if deficits are sustained.

Nutrition and Hydration for High-Altitude Alpinism: A Narrative Review

This report aims to summarise the scientific knowledge around hydration, nutrition, and metabolism at high altitudes and to transfer it into the practical context of extreme altitude alpinism, which, as far as we know, has never been considered before in the literature. Maintaining energy balance during alpine expeditions is difficult for several reasons and requires a deep understanding of human physiology and the biological basis for altitude acclimation. However, in these harsh conditions it is difficult to reconcile our current scientific knowledge in sports nutrition or even for mountaineering to high-altitude alpinism: extreme hypoxia, cold, and the logistical difficulties intrinsic to these kinds of expeditions are not considered in the current literature. Requirements for the different stages of an expedition vary dramatically with increasing altitude, so recommendations must differentiate whether the alpinist is at base camp, at high-altitude camps, or attempting the summit. This paper highlights nutritional recommendations regarding prioritising carbohydrates as a source of energy and trying to maintain a protein balance with a practical contextualisation in the extreme altitude environment in the different stages of an alpine expedition. More research is needed regarding specific macro and micronutrient requirements as well as the adequacy of nutritional supplementations at high altitudes.

Ecological Validation and Practical Challenges of Conducting Dietary Analysis in Athletic Individuals Using a Novel Remote Food Photography Method Mobile Phone Application

PurposeDietary analysis is an important part of the sports nutrition practitioners’ role, however the ability to accurately collect and analyze dietary intake data is questionable. The remote food photography method (RFPM) has been proposed as a low-burden and potentially valid approach to collecting and interpreting dietary intake data. Preliminary research suggests that this is valid in some athletic populations, however the ecological validation in real-life settings warrants further investigation.MethodsTwenty athletic individuals completed simultaneous three-day RFPM diaries and weighed food diaries for the analysis of energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Participants were required to provide details alongside provided photographs that did not include food weights to allow for the estimation of nutrient intake from minimally invasive photographs and descriptions.ResultsRFPM demonstrated non-significant random and systematic error against the weighed food diary for energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fat at − 20.0 ± 455.5 kcal, − 2.9 ± 34.6 g, − 12.4 ± 49.3 g and 2.3 ± 26.8 g, respectively. Coefficient of variation suggest acceptable agreement between RFPM and weighed food diary for energy and poor agreement for protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Considerable variability is observed in the individual calculated values, with the least and greatest difference being 0% and − 83.0%, respectively.ConclusionThe results indicate that the RFPM may be an ecologically valid tool for the collection and analysis of dietary intake data on a group level; on an individual basis, data and subsequent recommendations based on this method must be applied with caution.

Nutritional priorities, practices and preferences of athletes and active individuals in the context of new product development in the sports nutrition sector.

Sports nutrition is a rapidly growing sector with increasing demand for evidence-based nutritional products to support competitive and healthy lifestyles. The product development process for novel foods should rely heavily on end-user engagement to facilitate future success, however there is a dearth of published information available. An understanding of the practices and self-reported nutritional priorities of athletes and active individuals is required for the development of new food products, facilitating evidence-based product formulation. Participants were at least 18 years of age, actively participating in competitive sport or structured physical activity on at least two occasions per week. Participants were asked to undertake a comprehensive online survey assessing their nutritional practice, perceived nutritional priorities and preferences for product characteristics. Questions were developed on the basis of critical evaluation of the current scientific literature and the hosting of two scoping focus group sessions with prospective end-users. 405 individuals (29 ± 9 years) completed this questionnaire. 295 participants reported active participation in competitive sport while the remaining 110 participants undertook structured physical activity exclusively. When asked to rank their top three most sought-after product claims in sports nutrition, "enhanced muscular recovery" was the most prioritised receiving 101 first choice preferences (25%) and 295 top 3 preferences. Fifty-eight percent of participants reported taking nutritional supplements. Caffeine containing functional foods (excluding caffeine supplements) were the most commonly used functional food group. A very low incidence of functional food usage was reported otherwise. When asked to rank the importance of various food product attributes, "nutritional profile" was ranked as the most important with rating of 3.37 ± 0.7 out of 4 followed by "taste" and "accessibility". Whole food nutritional products received the most first preference selections and most top 3 selections when presented with a number of popular performance and recovery products on the market. The transition towards a food first approach in sports nutrition is vital for athletes and active individuals to achieve their goals; with the development of evidence-based functional foods, particularly with a focus on muscle recovery, endurance, and strength enhancement at the forefront for new food product design and innovation.

Somatotypological characteristics of athletes of various sports

Objective: currently, many researchers are evaluating the morphological parameters of athletes in order to determine the morphofunctional status, which is only a small part of a comprehensive survey devoted, for example, to assessing nutrition or sports achievements. However, the primary task of sports morphology remains the search for “preferred” or “reference” somatotypes characteristic of a particular sport, since the key to sports success is not only the most effective fitness and endurance, but also the morphological status characteristic of a particular sport (anthropometric indicators, body composition and somatotypological profile).Purpose of the study: to summarize the data available to date, based on the results of original studies related to sports somatotypology.Materials and methods: to solve the tasks set, an analysis of the scientific and methodological literature devoted to the somatotypological characteristics of athletes of various groups and sports was used. 29 literature sources were analyzed, the data of literary (15) and own (14) studies on the problem of sports somatotypology were summarized.Results: the summary tables contain the somatotypological characteristics of athletes according to the time periods of work on determining the somatotypological profile of athletes. Table 1 presents the results of examinations by Mrtirosov Eduard Georgievich, a leading specialist in the field of functional and sports morphology, whose research dates back to the 1980s — 2000s. Table 2 contains a few results of studies conducted over the past 10 years, in which, as in the studies of Martirosov E.G., emphasis was placed on an integrated approach to assessing the physical development of athletes. Table 3 shows the result of studies carried out as part of the work of the Laboratory of Sports Anthropology and Nutrition (since January 2022 — the Laboratory of Anthroponutriology and Sports Nutrition) of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Research Center of Nutrition and Biotechnology" from 2018 to 2021, affecting some groups of sports, with the aim of determining the dynamics of the components of the somatotype of athletes depending on gender, age, sport, weight category, as well as playing roles.