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Nutrition & Food Science: Article Information
Nutrition & Food Science: Article Information
Nutrition & Food Science: Article Information
Dimitrios Papandreou, Panagiotis Eystathiadis, Vassiliki Bouzoukiu, Maria Hassapidou, George Tsitskaris, Andreas Garefis,
(2007),"Dietary assessment, anthropometric measurements and nutritional status of Greek professional athletes", Nutrition
& Food Science, Vol. 37 Iss 5 pp. 338-344 http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00346650710828361
Sue Murphy, Yvonne Jeanes, (2006),"Nutritional knowledge and dietary intakes of young professional football players",
Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 36 Iss 5 pp. 343-348 http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00346650610703199
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Methodology
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at All athletes were recruited, on a voluntary
http://www.emerald-library.com/ft basis, from five athletics teams in Athens. At
the start of the study, more athletes
participated but some dropped off later and
Nutrition & Food Science
Volume 31 . Number 1 . 2001 . pp. 31±34 the final sample consisted of 47 eÂlite
# MCB University Press . ISSN 0034-6659 professional athletes (16 rowers, 14 volleyball
31
Dietary assessment of five male sports teams in Greece Nutrition & Food Science
Maria Hassapidou Volume 31 . Number 1 . 2001 . 31±34
players, six cyclists, five weightlifters and six Table I Anthropometric characteristics of the athletes
distance runners), members of national teams Age Weight Height Percentage
in Greece. Sport Number (years) (kg) (cm) of fat
Data were collected over the competitive
season when athletes were both practising and Rowers 16 23 + 3 87 + 8 188 + 7 11 + 3
competing in games or meets. Volleyball players 14 24 + 3 87 + 7 194 + 8 9 + 3
Cyclists 6 25 + 6 68 + 5 176 + 6 7 + 1
Weightlifters 5 27 + 5 99 + 5 177 + 7 18 + 3
Distance runners 6 21 + 4 61 + 5 175 + 5 7 + 2
Anthropometric data
Height was measured to the nearest players were taller, followed by rowers.
centimetre and weight was recorded to the Cyclists and distance runners had lower
nearest 0.1kg with a portable metric scale that percentages of body fat, as expected by their
was calibrated daily. The percentage of body type of sport. The highest mean percent body
fat was determined using skinfold fat was found in weightlifters.
measurements. Four skinfolds were taken: Table II shows the results for energy
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Rowers 5,639 + 1,432 2.8 + 0.2 3.9 + 0.5 48 + 6 321 + 29 12 + 1 2.7 + 0.3 5.9 + 2 1,682 + 384 17 + 4 32 + 2
Volleyball players 4,196 + 1,200 2.7 + 0.7 2.9 + 0.9 38 + 6 271 + 10 12 + 3 2.2 + 0.3 7.4 + 2 1,553 + 119 19 + 3 27 + 3
Cyclists 3,693 + 860 4 + 0.6 3.8 + 1.4 49 + 7 171 + 57 23 + 5 2.6 + 0.1 6+3 1,729 + 222 30 + 5 38 + 5
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Weightlifters 5,942 + 1,653 2.5 + 0.5 2.7 + 0.8 33 + 5 168 + 81 15 + 4 2 + 0.9 8.5 + 3 1,591 + 118 23 + 7 22 + 3
Distance runners 4,462 + 1,512 2.5 + 0.2 2.8 + 0.7 29 + 6 164 + 48 19 + 9 1.7 + 0.2 3.9 + 3 1,832 + 283 25 + 8 28 + 2
well as mineral intakes vary between athletic The mean reported energy intakes of
teams, but all mean values are well above the athletes varied from 2,926 +453Kcal per day
RDA values showing an adequate intake of for distance runners to 5,023 + 780Kcal per
vitamins and minerals by the athletes. day for cyclists. Many investigators have
reported that most male athletes meet their
energy requirements and consume higher
energy intakes compared with female athletes.
Discussion
(Hassapidou et al., 1999; Clark, 1991). Van
In the present study the dietary intakes of Erp-Baart et al. (1989) assessed the nutrient
e lite male athletes, of five different sports, composition of 419 athletes of different
have been determined. The study was sports. The highest energy intakes in this
carried out during the competitive season. study were found in endurance athletes
Anthropometric measurements were taken (cyclists, swimmers and rowers). These
for all athletes. As expected, cyclists and results are in accordance with our study.
distance runners had lower mean weights Most scientists agree that although athletes
and percentage of body fat, compared to the consume diets high in calories they are failing
to eat the ideal diet when macronutrient
other athletes. In these sports low body
consumption is considered.
weight and body fat are considered
The average protein intakes of athletes of all
necessary for optimal performance. Body
sports were found in this study to exceed the
weight and composition are functions of the
recommended protein intakes. Athletes
athletes' genetics, diet and training and
involved in sports not requiring a strength-
reflect the structural and functional
training programme may not have protein
characteristics that are specifically
needs higher than the community RDA for
favourable for the sport involved. protein. As exercise commitments increase in
Rowers and volleyball players had higher terms of intensity and duration then
mean percentages of body fat compared to significant adjustments must be made to
cyclists and runners but still significantly protein requirements especially for strength
lower than weightlifters. In these sports low training programme. Brotherhood (1984)
body weight is not so important and suggests a protein intake of 1.3g to 1.6g
percentages of body fat tend to be higher. protein/kg body weight for strength training
Weightlifters had the highest weight and athletes.
percentage of body fat. In this sport, athletes A review of the most recent studies
generally try to compete in weight divisions (Lemon, 1991; Tarnopolsky et al., 1988)
below their normal body weight and therefore suggests that the protein needs of strength
body weight fluctuation can be rapid, athletes are about 1.2g to 1.7g/kg /day. The
frequent and large. mean protein intakes of athletes of all
33
Dietary assessment of five male sports teams in Greece Nutrition & Food Science
Maria Hassapidou Volume 31 . Number 1 . 2001 . 31±34
34
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