Perfil nutricional de praticantes de corrida de rua de um clube esportivo da cidade de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

Actual Nutrition and Dietary Supplementation in Lithuanian Elite Athletes

Background and objectives: Health is partly determined by the state of one's nutrition; it stimulates the body's functional and metabolic adaptations to physical strain and helps one prevent sports injuries and get in shape in terms of body composition. This study aims to investigate the actual nutrition and dietary supplements taken by elite Lithuanian athletes and to identify the relationship between the dietary intake, dietary supplementation and body composition of elite athletes. Materials and Methods: The research subjects were 76.7% of Lithuanian elite athletes (N = 247). The actual diet was investigated using the 24 h recall dietary survey method. Dietary supplementation was studied applying the questionnaire method. Measurements of body composition were performed using the BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) tetra-polar electrodes and measuring resistivity with 8-12 tangent electrodes at different frequencies of signal: 5, 50 and 250 kHz. Results: Results indicate that among the athletes, 62% use too few carbohydrates and 77% use too much fat. Although the 3.5% increase in lean body mass (95% CI: -0.107, 7.070) helps gain an increased protein intake with food (p = 0.057), 38% of athletes consume too little protein with food. The athletes mostly use carbohydrates (86%), vitamins (81%), protein supplements (70%), and multivitamins (62%). We did not determine the impact (p > 0.05) of individual or complex supplement use on the lean body mass (%) or fat mass (%) values of athletes. Conclusions: Athletes consume insufficient carbohydrates, vitamin D, calcium, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and too much fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and they use proteins irrationally. Sport nutritionists should also focus on the risk of malnutrition for female athletes. Nutritional supplements partially offset macronutrient and micronutrient deficiency. Nevertheless, the effect of food supplements on the body composition of athletes is too small compared to the normal diet. Athletes ought to prioritize the formation of eating habits and only then use supplements.

Rapid Weight Loss and Dietary Inadequacies among Martial Arts Practitioners from Poland

Healthy nutrition and maintaining a normal body weight are very important for reducing the risk of various diseases not only among the general population, but also among athletes, especially combat sport athletes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of rapid weight loss (RWL) and to indicate eventual dietary inadequacies among professional martial arts practitioners. Sixty-two male athletes (aged: 23 ± 4) completed a questionnaire (i.e., frequency of food group consumption, questions about training and RWL) and single 24-h dietary recall. This study confirmed the high prevalence of RWL in athletes (58%) for two to three days before the competition, which allowed for reduction of 3.4 ± 1.0 kg (4.3 ± 1.5%) of their body weight. Many dietary inaccuracies were found such as: lower than recommended by nutrition experts, level of consumption of dairy products, grain products, fruit, and vegetables, and insufficient intake of energy, carbohydrates, minerals (especially iodine, potassium, calcium) and vitamins (especially D, folate, C, E) during the training day. Adequate nutrition is a natural support for the whole training process, and may allow for regulation of body weight in a longer period and in a safer manner; thus, there is a need for nutrition education dedicated to athletes and their trainers.

Effect of a Nutritional Intervention in Athlete's Body Composition, Eating Behaviour and Nutritional Knowledge: A Comparison between Adults and Adolescents

The objective of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effect of a nutritional intervention between adolescent and adult. In a before and after quasi-experimental clinical study, 32 athletes (21 adults, age range 20-32 years; 11 adolescents, age range: 12-19 years) participated in a nutritional counselling consisting of four consultations separated by an interval of 45 to 60 days. The athlete's eating behaviour, body composition and nutrition knowledge were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the protocol. Both groups increased lean body mass and nutritional knowledge. Adolescents increased their mid-arm muscle circumference and improved meal frequency, and daily water intake. Athletes of both groups improved their ingestion of vegetables and fruits and decreased the ingestion of sweets and oils. Adolescents showed a higher prevalence of individuals that remained within or approached to the recommendations of sweets. This is the first study to evaluate and compare the effect of a nutritional intervention between adolescent and adult athletes body composition, eating behaviour and nutritional knowledge. The nutritional counselling has been effective in promoting beneficial changes on the athlete's eating behaviour, nutritional knowledge and body composition, however, some healthy changes were only experienced by adolescents, especially in the frequency of meals and the intake of sweets.

CONSUMO ALIMENTAR, PERFIL ANTROPOMÉTRICO E CONHECIMENTOS EM NUTRIÇÃO DE CORREDORES DE RUA

Introdução A nutrição esportiva e a composição corporal são fatores importantes para o desempenho de atividades esportivas. A corrida de rua se popularizou no mundo, especialmente na última década. Os corredores de rua devem consumir uma dieta nutricionalmente adequada e ter conhecimento sobre nutrição para manter um perfil nutricional adequado. Objetivo Avaliar a adequação dietética, o perfil antropométrico e os conhecimentos em nutrição de corredores de rua. Métodos Os corredores adultos de ambos os gêneros (n = 51) foram entrevistados sobre conhecimentos em nutrição, por meio de um questionário padronizado modificado. A avaliação do consumo alimentar foi feita com a aplicação de dois recordatórios de 24 horas em dias não consecutivos e com a análise da adequação de macronutrientes, micronutrientes e fibra alimentar. A avaliação antropométrica foi realizada por meio do índice de massa corporal e percentual de gordura. Resultados A maioria dos corredores de rua do gênero masculino teve um percentual de gordura adequado e foi constatada magreza para cerca de 30% de homens e mulheres. As inadequações dietéticas de ma-cronutrientes caracterizaram-se por consumo insuficiente de carboidratos (59,6% de indivíduos) e ingestão elevada de proteínas (32,7%). Fibra, cálcio, tiamina, riboflavina e niacina foram consumidas abaixo dos níveis recomendados, principalmente entre os homens. O conhecimento em nutrição foi associado à adequação da ingestão de micronutrientes. As mulheres tiveram melhor nível de conhecimento básico em nutrição e maior prevalência de ingestão adequada. Conclusão Apesar dos corredores de rua demonstrarem alto nível de conhecimento básico em nutrição e adequado perfil antropométrico, a maioria teve hábitos alimentares e nutrição inadequados ao desempenho esportivo.