Nutritional practices associated with low energy availability in Division I female soccer players.
The purpose of this study was to examine macronutrient intake, energy density and energy intake distribution that may be associated with low energy availability (EA) in Division I female soccer players. The energy intake, exercise energy expenditure and EA of 19 participants (18-21 years) was assessed during the pre-, mid- and postseasons. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the changes across the season. Chi-square analysis was performed to examine the distribution of participants meeting the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for carbohydrate and protein consumption. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences between groups. The proportion of athletes who did not meet the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for carbohydrate intake (6-10 g . kg(-1) BW) was significantly greater in the low (<30 kcal . kg(-1) LBM) than higher (≥ 30 kcal . kg(-1) LBM) EA group (χ(2) (1) = 7.5; P = 0.006). Participants with low compared to higher EA consumed a lower energy dense dinner (0.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.1 kcal . g(-1); P = 0.004) after a soccer match during midseason. No differences in the percentage (%) of kilocalories from food (84.5 ± 2.0% vs. 84.7 ± 2.6%), sports drinks (7.3 ± 1.4% vs. 6.0 ± 3.2%), other drinks (7.6 ± 1.5 % vs. 6.0 ± 1.5%) or bars/gels/beans (1.7 ± 0.6 vs. 3.0 ± 1.5) were observed in participants with low compared to higher EA (P > 0.05) during the pre- and midseasons. Identifying inadequate carbohydrate intake and the practice of consuming lower energy dense meals may be important in preventing low EA conditions and consequently the Female Athlete Triad.
a Women's Health and Exercise Laboratory, Noll Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA.
Jennifer L
JL
Reed
Mary Jane
MJ
De Souza
Joseph M
JM
Kindler
Nancy I
NI
Williams
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D053716:Female Athlete Triad Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins
elite athletes; energy availability; energy density; macronutrient; nutritional practices; soccer