title: Eating and nutrition habits in young competitive athletes: a comparison between soccer players and cyclists.
abstract: The study evaluated the dietary habits in two groups of young athletes, practicing two different sports: soccer players and cycling. The dietary habits of 47 athletes were investigated by questionnaire. Body Mass Index, Fat Mass, Free Fat Mass, Total Body, Intracellular, Extracellular Water and Phase Angle were measured by bioimpedance. The t-Student test for unpaired data was used. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Body Mass Index was similar between the groups, while total body water and extracellular water were significantly higher in the soccer player group (soccer players: 63.8±1.96%; cyclists : 59.8 ± 8.7%; and soccer players 43.9±3.1%, cyclists 43.8 ±2.1%, respectively). Fatty mass of the soccer player group (14.5±2.9%) was significantly lower than that of the cyclist group (19.5±3.6%). Daily food intake was similar between the two groups (2844 kCal/die for soccer players /2630 kcal/die for cyclists), and lower than recommended. There was a low intake of Calcium (soccer players 1120±128.9 mg/die, cyclists 718±309 mg/die) for both groups, and a low intake of Potassium for soccer player (2576 mg/die ± 52.4) The caloric intake of adolescent athletes is lower than recommended. Body composition is significantly different between soccer players and cyclists.
authors: Sports Medicine Center -University of Florence -Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Galanti
authors: Sports Medicine Center -University of Florence -Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Stefani
authors: Sports Medicine Center -University of Florence -Italy.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Scacciati
authors: Sports Medicine Center -University of Florence -Italy.
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Mascherini
authors: Dietetic Unit-University of Florence - Italy.
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Buti
authors: Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy; and Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Health Sciences Education, Centre for Sports and Exercise, UK.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Maffulli
keywords: cyclists; eating habits; nutrition; soccer players; young athletes