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Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 25779

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Prof. Dr. Miguel Mariscal-Arcas

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Guest Editor

Department Nutrition and Food Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: body composition; nutrition; nutrient intake; malnutrition; athletes; sport nutrition; sport performance; anthropometry

Dr. Fátima Olea-Serrano

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: nutrition; health nutrition; endocrine disrupters; human nutrition

Prof. Dr. Josep A. Tur

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Guest Editor

1. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2. Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
3. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
Interests: non-communicable chronic diseases; obesity; diet; nutrition; lifestyle; oxidative stress; inflammation
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Dear Colleagues,

Current evidence suggests a relationship between nutrition intake and body composition values both in athletes and in the general population.

Body composition is a tool that allows us to know the nutritional status of the subject. Therefore, it will help us to detect and solve different situations in both poor sports performance and malnutrition, which can range from undernutrition to overweight.

It would be of great interest to evidence the impact that such nutrient intakes can have in modifying body composition in professional athletes and the general population, even to be able to show if there is a nutrient deficit and if this is related to the modification of that body composition.

Referring explicitly to sport, body composition is the basic pillar, as it will determine the performance of athletes, whether in training or in competitions, being a factor that will determine the resistance to fatigue of athletes.

We must take into account the different sports modalities and even their role in the team, as these characteristics will indicate the respective body composition profiles needed to perform their sporting function.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Mariscal-Arcas
Dr. Fátima Olea-Serrano
Prof. Dr. Josep A. Tur
Guest Editors

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Keywords

body composition
nutrition
nutrient intake
malnutrition
athletes
sport nutrition
sport performance
anthropometry

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthropometric and Body Composition Changes during Pre-Season of Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players According to Playing Position

by Marta Ramírez-Munera, Raúl Arcusa, Francisco Javier López-Román, Desirée Victoria-Montesinos, Ana María García-Muñoz, Vicente Ávila-Gandía, Silvia Pérez-Piñero and Javier Marhuenda

Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162799 - 22 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1146

Abstract

Background: In professional soccer, body composition analysis is crucial to assess preparation and optimize performance. Different playing positions have different physical demands, which can lead to variations in body composition. However, there are few studies on women’s soccer that consider the playing position. This study aims to fill that gap by examining position-specific differences in anthropometric and body composition characteristics among Spanish professional female soccer players at the beginning and end of pre-season. Furthermore, it investigates the possible changes during the pre-season period between positions and correlates the data obtained from anthropometric equations with bioimpedance (BIA) measurements. Methods: Thirty-four female soccer players: 8 midfielders, 12 defenders, 11 forwards, and 3 goalkeepers (age: 23.06 ± 4.29 years, height: 164.15 ± 5.84 cm, weight: 58.39 ± 6.62 kg, and ∑6 skinfolds: 74.57 ± 18.48 mm) completed the study that lasted 4 weeks (pre-season) where they were measured anthropometrically and by bioimpedance twice. Results: Goalkeepers showed greater wingspan (176.60 ± 7.06 p < 0.05) compared to other positions. Regarding differences during pre-season, midfielders had the greatest decrease in ∑6 skinfolds compared to other positions (∆ −12.10 ± 5.69 p < 0.05). There was a correlation of % fat between Faulkner’s equation and BIA (Pearson’s r = 0.817). Conclusions: It seems that there are no significant differences in terms of positions and body composition, except for the wingspan and ankle diameter. During pre-season, midfielders are the ones who improve their body composition the greatest. The anthropometric equation for body fat that shows the highest correlation with BIA is Faulkner’s equation, followed by Durnin’s equation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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15 pages, 2592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutrition Status of Female Winter Sports Athletes

by María José Jiménez-Casquet, Javier Conde-Pipó, Ignacio Valenzuela-Barranco, Raquel Rienda-Contreras, Fátima Olea-Serrano, Cristina Bouzas, Josep A. Tur and Miguel Mariscal-Arcas

Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4472; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204472 - 22 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2467

Abstract

Eating disorders, especially restrictive eating, are common among female athletes. There are two main types of winter sports: those that are practiced outdoors on snow (−25 to +5 °C and 2500 m), such as alpine skiing and snowboarding, and those that are practiced indoors on ice (5–10 °C at low altitude), such as figure skating and ice hockey. The aim of this research was to identify the nutritional status and potential risk of female athletes practicing winter sports, considering the altitude of training. The sample was composed of 58 women (aged 19.81 years (SD: 12.61)) who were competitors in some winter sports. Anthropometrics and nutritional variables were taken. Statistically significant differences were found between HA and LA groups for all the characteristics except thigh skinfold, and neither group had an energy intake (EI) that matched their total energy expenditure (TEE). Both groups met at least two-thirds of the RDI for all minerals and vitamins except iodine, fluorine, vitamin D, vitamin E, and retinol. This study suggests that female winter sports athletes have insufficient energy, vitamin, and mineral intake, which can be worsened with altitude. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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12 pages, 302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Paleo Diet on Body Composition, Carbohydrate and Fat Metabolism of Professional Handball Players

by Aleksandra Pięta, Barbara Frączek, Magdalena Wiecek and Paulina Mazur-Kurach

Nutrients 2023, 15(19), 4155; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194155 - 26 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3547

Abstract

The Paleo diet (PD) involves a restriction of carbohydrates and increased fat content (35% energy from carbohydrates, 35% energy from fats and 30% energy from protein). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the PD on body composition, concentration of carbohydrates and lipids, as well as insulin, irisin, adiponectin and leptin in the blood. A total of 25 handball players were assigned to two groups: 14 in the experimental group (PD) and 11 in the control group (CD), using a PD and a rational diet, respectively. Analysis of body mass and body composition (body mass index, fat mass, lean body mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass, bone mineral content and bone mineral density), as well as blood concentration of metabolism markers (glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, irisin, adiponectin and leptin), were determined at the beginning and after 4 and 8 weeks of nutritional intervention. Body mass was lower (p < 0.01), and adiponectin blood concentration was higher (p = 0.03) in the PD group at the end of the intervention. There were no changes (p ≥ 0.05) in body composition and blood levels of other biochemical markers in either group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

18 pages, 1279 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Intake of Protein and Essential Amino Acids for Sustainable Muscle Development in Elite Male Athletes

by Marius Baranauskas, Ingrida Kupčiūnaitė and Rimantas Stukas

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 4003; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15184003 - 15 Sep 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6657

Abstract

Athletes need to develop a relatively high muscle mass and low body adipose tissue for the sake of better athletic performance. A full range of nine essential amino acids and eleven non-essential amino acids have to attend in appropriate amounts for protein biosynthesis. The aim of the observational comparative cross-sectional study was to assess the association between the diet quality profile and training-induced muscle mass estimated by bioelectrical impedance among elite male athletes. The research sample comprised 18.1 ± 3.1 year-old Lithuanian professional male athletes (n = 234). The study participants were enrolled to complete 24-h dietary recalls of three non-consecutive days. The body composition was assessed using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. The present study showed a significant insufficiency of the mean carbohydrate intake of 5.7 g/kg/day in a group of aerobic male athletes. The lower muscle mass of aerobic male athletes was related to the lower-carbohydrate diet (adjusted odd ratio (OR_adj) 0.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1–0.7). The mean protein intake of 1.8 g/kg/day was optimal for anabolism in the samples of both anaerobic and aerobic male athletes. The protein intake in appropriate doses was potentially associated with an increase in muscle mass only in anaerobic male athletes (OR_adj 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3–3.7). The positive relationship was revealed between the possible muscle mass gain and the increased intakes of amino acids such as isoleucine and histidine among anaerobic athletes (OR_adj 2.9; 95% CI: 1.1–4.7 and OR_adj 2.9; 95% CI: 1.0–4.3, respectively). An inverse feasible association was indicated between a higher intake of valine and lower muscle mass quantities among anaerobic male athletes (OR_adj 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1–0.5). The recommendations for sports nutritionists should emphasize the necessity of advising professional athletes on dietary strategies on how to manipulate dietary amino acid composition with respect to achieving long-term body composition goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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10 pages, 850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pre-Season Nutritional Intake and Prevalence of Low Energy Availability in NCAA Division III Collegiate Swimmers

by Dylan J. Klein, Patrick McClain, Victoria Montemorano and Alaina Santacroce

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132827 - 21 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2024

Abstract

There is limited information regarding the dietary habits and energy availability (EA) of collegiate athletes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to assess the nutrient intakes, dietary habits, and prevalence of low EA (<30 kcals/kg FFM) in a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III male and female swimmers. Energy and nutrient intake, body composition, and exercise energy expenditure was assessed in 30 (n = 15 males, n = 15 females) NCAA Division III swimmers during pre-season using three-day diet and seven-day activity records alongside multi-frequency, bioelectric impedance analysis. A validated screening tool was used to assess for low EA in the female swimmers. Mean EA in male and female athletes was 32.7 ± 12 and 34.9 ± 13.7 kcals/kg FFM, respectively, and was not significantly different between the sexes (p = 0.65). Twenty percent of swimmers (n = 3 males, n = 3 females) presented with optimal EA, 37% (n = 5 males, n = 6 females) presented with sub-optimal EA, and 43% (n = 7 males, n = 6 females) presented with low EA. Swimmers who presented with a low EA consumed significantly less calories, carbohydrates, and proteins than non-low EA swimmers (p < 0.02). The validated screening tool failed to classify 50% of female swimmers who presented with low EA. Only eight athletes achieved the USDA MyPlate recommendation for fruits, whereas three athletes achieved the recommendation for vegetables, with no differences between the sexes (p > 0.05). The present findings show that there was a high prevalence of low EA during the pre-season among male and female collegiate swimmers that was not fully captured using a validated screening tool for females. Low EA occurred alongside lower intakes of calories, carbohydrates, and proteins, and the majority of swimmers did not meet the United States Department of Agriculture recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. These data stress the need for improved dietary intakes in NCAA Division III collegiate swimmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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10 pages, 455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Young Artistic Gymnasts Drink Ad Libitum Only Half of Their Fluid Lost during Training, but More Fluid Intake Does Not Influence Performance

by Costas Chryssanthopoulos, Georgios Dallas, Giannis Arnaoutis, Eirini Charikleia Ragkousi, Georgia Kapodistria, Ioannis Lambropoulos, Ionas Papassotiriou, Anastassios Philippou, Maria Maridaki and Apostolos Theos

Nutrients 2023, 15(12), 2667; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122667 - 8 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1494

Abstract

To examine the effect of the fluid balance on and performance in young artistic gymnasts during training under ad libitum and prescribed fluid intake conditions, eleven males (12.3 ± 2.6 years, mean ± SD) performed two 3 h identical training sessions. Participants ingested, in a random order, water equivalent to either 50% (LV) or 150% (HV) of their fluid loss. After the 3 h training, the gymnasts performed program routines on three apparatuses. The pre-exercise urine specific gravity (USG) was similar between conditions (LV: 1.018 ± 0.007 vs. HV: 1.015 ± 0.007; p = 0.09), while the post-exercise USG was lower in the HV condition (LV: 1.017 ± 0.006 vs. HV: 1.002 ± 0.003; p < 0.001). Fluid loss corresponding to percentage of body mass was higher in the LV condition (1.2 ± 0.5%) compared to the HV condition (0.4 ± 0.8%) (p = 0.02); however, the sums of the score performances were not different (LV: 26.17 ± 2.04 vs. HV: 26.05 ± 2.00; p = 0.57). Ingesting fluid equivalent to about 50% of the fluid lost, which was the amount that was drunk ad libitum during training, maintained short-term hydration levels and avoided excessive dehydration in artistic preadolescent and adolescent gymnasts. A higher amount of fluid, equivalent to about 1.5 times the fluid loss, did not provide an additional performance benefit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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12 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Composition, Nutritional Intake Assessment, and Perceptions about Diet for Health and Performance: An Exploratory Study for Senior Futsal Players

by Sílvia Zambujo Brum, Bela Franchini and Ana Pinto Moura

Nutrients 2023, 15(6), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061428 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3424

Abstract

This study aims to assess the body composition and nutritional intake of senior male futsal players from the II Futsal Division—Azores Series and explore their individual viewpoints regarding the benefits and barriers of healthy eating and performance. Two groups were identified: those who only completed the sociodemographic questionnaire and the anthropometric data (Group 1, n = 48), and those who additionally had their food intake assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls and were interviewed (Group 2, n = 20). Although most of the players have a healthy body composition, those from Group 2 had a significantly higher Body Mass Index, showing that they are under “pre-obesity”, and have a higher percentage of body fat compared to the players from Group 1. Findings from the nutritional intake assessment revealed that players from Group 2 met dietary recommendations for protein, but not for energy and carbohydrate, and they slightly exceeded recommendations for fat. Findings from the interviews revealed that most of these players reported low levels of satisfaction with their sport performance, explained by their deviation from a healthy eating practice in their daily lives. They recognized the need to alter their diets, identifying food items that should be taken and avoided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

12 pages, 285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Composition and Nutritional Status of the Spanish National Breaking Team Aspiring to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

by Cristina Montalbán-Méndez, Nuria Giménez-Blasi, Inés Aurora García-Rodríguez, José Antonio Latorre, Javier Conde-Pipo, Alejandro López-Moro, Miguel Mariscal-Arcas and Nieves Palacios Gil-Antuñano

Nutrients 2023, 15(5), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051218 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3103

Abstract

Breaking is a sports dance modality that will debut for the first time at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This dance form combines street dance steps with acrobatics and athletic elements. It complies with gender equality, maintains aesthetic appeal, and is practised indoors. The objective of this study is to assess the characteristics of body composition and nutritional status of the athletes that make up the Breaking national team. This national team was recruited, and they underwent an analysis of body composition using bioimpedance measurement and a nutritional interview status with the completion of a survey on the frequency of the consumption of sports supplements and ergogenic aids. In addition, they completed a consumption questionnaire for a series of food groups with specified protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content. After that, parameters were analyzed in relation to their nutritional status during a complete medical examination at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Sports Medicine Center of CSD. A descriptive analysis of the results obtained was carried out to find the mean values of the variables analyzed. The analytical parameters described an adequate nutritional status, except for the mean capillary determination of 25-OH-vitamin D3, which was 24.2 ng/dL (SD: 10.3). Bone mineral density values were higher than those of the general population. This is the first time that a study of these characteristics has been carried out on Breakers, so it is highly relevant to increase knowledge in this area in order to conduct nutritional interventions aimed at improving the sports performance of these athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Body Composition of Athletes)

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