Nutrition concepts for elite distance runners based on macronutrient and energy expenditure.
BACKGROUND
Elite distance runners (EDR) must optimize their nutrition to maintain their demanding training schedules.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a nutrition concept for EDR based on energy and macronutrient expenditures.


METHODS
This theoretical study provides calculations for macronutrient and energy expenditures of EDR. Anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of EDR were assumed based on average real EDR.


METHODS
University of Kiel.


METHODS
Three prototypic types of male EDR described in the literature as type I (TI; body mass = 72 kg, respiratory quotient = 0.9 at rest, fast-twitch muscle fibers = 60% to 70%), type II (TII; body mass = 67 kg, respiratory quotient = 0.82 at rest, fast-twitch muscle fibers = 50%), and type III (TIII; body mass = 60 kg, respiratory quotient = 0.75 at rest, fast-twitch muscle fibers = 30% to 40%).


METHODS
We calculated the macronutrient and energy expenditures of the 3 types of EDR according to body mass, respiratory quotient, and percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers.


RESULTS
We found that the average energy expenditure was 3750 kcal . d(-1) for TI runners, 3463 kcal . d(-1) for TII runners, and 3079 kcal . d(-1) for TIII runners. The carbohydrate (CHO) expenditure reached an average value of 10.0 g . kg(-1) . d(-1) for TI runners, 8.0 g . kg(-1) . d(-1) for TII runners, and 4.7 g . kg(-1) . d(-1) for TIII runners. When the EDR accomplished running sessions at a pace >or=100% of maximum oxygen consumption, all types of runners had a CHO demand of about 10 g . kg(-1) . d(-1). The TI and TII runners need a CHO intake of 8 to 10 g . kg(-1) . d(-1). For the TIII runners, a CHO intake >6 g . kg(-1) . d(-1) is necessary during anaerobic training sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition concepts must be differentiated for EDR according to metabolic and anthropometric characteristics of the runners and their special training emphases.
Schröder
Sandra
S
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Fischer
Alexandra
A
Vock
Christina
C
Böhme
Mike
M
Schmelzer
Constance
C
Döpner
Myriam
M
Hülsmann
Olaf
O
Döring
Frank
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018657:Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins