Nutritional status of top team‐sport athletes according to body fat

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment of energy and nutrients intake of elite female athletes and identify potential differences according to body fat (BF).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 69 top female athletes, members of the Greek Olympic National Teams of Volleyball (14 athletes), Basketball (16 athletes), Handball (17 athletes) and Football (22 athletes), aged 25.42 + 3.86 years. The participants undergo anthropometric examinations and the body fat percentage (%BF) is calculated. The sample is divided into two subgroups based on the mean %BF value (35 athletes with %BF ≥ 17 and 34 athletes with %BF < 17). In addition, a three‐day dietary intake record is taken.

Findings

The athletes' body mass index is 22.00 ± 1.75 and %BF is 16.94 ± 3.26. Athletes with %BF ≥ 17 present significantly higher energy intake (1,696 ± 578 kcal) than athletes with %BF < 17 (1,397 ± 379 kcal), p < 0.05. There is a significant positive correlation between %BF and energy intake of the athletes, (r = 0.300, p < 0.05). The athletes with %BF ≥ 17 receive significantly higher amounts of protein and fat in comparison with athletes with %BF < 17. This can be attributed to the fact that these athletes consume more meat and fat group equivalents than athletes with lower fat levels. Athletes with higher BF levels present higher values in vitamins A, B1, B12, folic acid and minerals P and Mn, p < 0.05, compared to the other athletes.

Originality/value

The observed deficiencies in energy and macro‐ and micro‐nutrients, have to be corrected as they represent a barrier for the elite female team‐sport athletes to maintain health and achieve their sport‐related nutrition and competition goals.

Citation

Papadopoulou, S.K. and Papadopoulou, S.D. (2010), "Nutritional status of top team‐sport athletes according to body fat", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 64-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346651011015935