A study of sport nutrition of national team athletes

Abstract

Background: International studies have shown that sports nutrition have positive effects on nutritional status of athletes and thus on their health, athletic performance and the recovery.1-3 It has been well documented that athletes lack the knowledge to make good nutritional decisions to improve health, performance and growth.4,5 It is recognized that physical activity, athletic performance and recovery from exercise are all improved with the proper nutrition.3 Adequate energy intake is essential for maximizing performance. Materials and Methods: The survey for the athletes about their Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP), Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the 24-hour recall methods. The research ethics committee of MNUMS approved the research on June 18, 2021. (№2021/3-08) Results: Twenty-four elite athletes (19 – 49 years) were completed the study, mean age 26.5±5.3. The average year spent by athletes in sports was 12.0 ± 4.1 years, with 53.6% being female athletes. Athletes’ diets are unsustainable, with low levels of complex carbohydrates and high levels of protein (173.2 g/day). In addition, 96.3% consume food supplements (protein powder). And 68% of high-class athletes are dehydrated. Participants nutrition knowledge scored an average of 1.6 out of 5 points. Participants tend to neutral nutrition attitudes. This illustrates that despite the lack of knowledge about sports nutrition, they are ready to change their traditional methods. Conclutions: 1. Study shows that athletes do not follow a diet appropriate to their type of sport and physical activity, and food composition does not have a positive effect on their ability to athlete’s performance. 2. Finding depicts participants tend to neutral nutrition attitudes. This illustrates that despite the lack of knowledge about sports nutrition, they are ready to change their traditional methods.