Eating and Nutrition Habits in Young Competitive Athletes: A Comparison between Soccer Players and Cyclists
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Date
2015Author
Galanti, Giorgio
Stefani, Laura
Scacciati, Irene
Mascherini, Gabriele
Buti, Gabriella
Maffulli, Nicola
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Show full item recordAbstract
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.