From pre-competition prep to recovery: analysing cyclists' dietary choices and gastrointestinal health in an endurance competition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.29.3.2458Keywords:
nutrition, endurance, sport supplements, foods, Cyclists, NIQECAbstract
Introduction: In recent years, long-distance events and mountain biking or MTB have seen a growth in both the number of events organised and number of participants. In this type of endurance event, proper nutritional and hydration planning is essential to maintain optimal sporting performance and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal problems. This study aims to determine the dietary intake and compliance with nutritional recommendations of athletes in two endurance competitions at different times: pre-competition, during competition and post-competition, and as well, assess the incidence of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out on the consumption of liquids, food, and supplements in 40 MTB athletes participating in Gran Fondo Sierra de Alcaraz (Castilla la Mancha, Spain), in two different distances: Long-distance (143 km) and Marathon (64 km). The mean age was 44.21 ± 11.88 years, and body mass was 74.05 ± 11.86 kg. Data was registered by self-completing a validated questionnaire (NIQEC) by each participant after completing the competition.
Results: The mean intakes during the competition were 186.2 ±92.3 kcal/h for energy, carbohydrate (CHO) 41.1 ±21.2 g/h, fluids 516.6 ±177.7 ml/h and sodium 181.9 ±175.6 mg/h. Significant differences were found, with energy, CHO, and sodium intake being higher in the long-distance group. Additionally, a trend toward a negative correlation was observed in the long-distance group between CHO intake during the race and finishing time.
Conclusions: Mean intakes of CHO and sodium were lower than scientific recommendations but higher in the long-distance competitors, but fluids intake met these recommendations in both groups.
Author Biography
José Miguel Martínez-Sanz, Nursing Department. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Alicante. Spain; Research Group on Applied Dietetics, Nutrition and Body Composition (DANUC). University of Alicante. Spain.
Nombre: José Miguel Martínez-Sanz
Afiliación: Departamento de Enfermería. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad de Alicante.
Correo electrónico: josemiguel.ms@ua.es
Líneas o intereses de investigación:Nutrición deportiva, suplementación en el deporte, antropometría aplicada y composición corporal al deporte y salud, salud pública y legislación en nutrición deportiva.
Enlace a perfil de Twitter: @jmartinezDN
ORCID: 0000-0001-9054-3858
Research ID: F-4892-2017
Enlace a pubmed:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Mart%C3%ADnez+Sanz+JM&cauthor_id=27513500
Link a cuadro de conflictos de interés: http://www.renhyd.org/index.php/renhyd/pages/view/editorCOIs#jmartinez
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Copyright (c) 2020 Mónica Castillo-Martínez, Rubén Jiménez-Alfageme, César Iván Ayala-Guzmán, Sergio Martín Hernández, Isabel Sospedra, Aurora Norte, David Romero-García, Lucía Herrera-Puche, José Miguel Martínez Sanz
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