Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Nutritional Intake Differences Between Training and Competition Phases in Elite Athletes

Updated

Abstract

A total of 276 professional athletes were assessed for their nutritional intake over a 7-day period.

  • 49% of athletes reported lower carbohydrate intakes than recommended, while 27% reported higher protein consumption.
  • Micronutrient deficiencies were noted, particularly in vitamins D and E, magnesium, folate, calcium, and zinc for both sexes, and iron for females.
  • A significant number of athletes indicated inadequate water intake.
  • Males showed higher carbohydrate, lipid, vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium intake during the competitive phase compared to recommendations.
  • Females reported lower water, vitamins A and D, and calcium intake during the preparatory phase.

Simplified

Key numbers

49%
Carbohydrate Intake Below Recommendations
Percentage of athletes reporting inadequate carbohydrate intake.
62%
Inadequate Water Intake
Percentage of athletes with water intake below recommendations in the preparatory phase.
More than 50%
Micronutrient Inadequacy in Females
Percentage of female athletes reporting inadequate intake of key micronutrients.

Full Text

What this is

  • This research characterizes and compares the nutritional intake of 276 professional athletes during preparatory and competitive phases.
  • It evaluates adherence to dietary recommendations for macro- and micro-nutrients, along with fluid intake.
  • Findings reveal that many athletes, particularly females, fall short of recommended nutrient intakes, which could impact health and performance.

Essence

  • Athletes reported macro- and micro-nutrient intakes below recommendations, particularly in the female population. Males showed an increase in certain intakes during the competitive phase, while females did not.

Key takeaways

  • Almost half (49%) of athletes reported lower carbohydrate intakes than recommended, while 27% exceeded protein recommendations. This indicates a significant mismatch in dietary habits.
  • A large proportion of athletes (62% in the preparatory phase) had inadequate water intake, which is crucial for performance and recovery.
  • Females showed a higher percentage of inadequacy for several micronutrients, including iron and calcium, compared to males, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional strategies.

Caveats

  • The study's findings may not be generalizable across all sports due to the limited range of sports represented in the follow-up sample.
  • Potential inaccuracies in self-reported dietary intake could lead to underestimations of true nutrient consumption.
  • The statistical power to detect nutritional inadequacies was not determined, limiting the ability to draw firm conclusions.

Definitions

  • Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The number of calories required to keep your body functioning at rest.
  • Dietary Reference Intake (DRI): A set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intakes.

Simplified

Funding

Competing interests

The authors report no conflicts of interest.
PubMed

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • ✅direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free