Body composition, dietary intake and supplement use among triathletes residing in the Western Cape Region

[摘要] Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the body composition, dietary intakeand supplement use among training olympic and ironman distance triathletes residing inthe Western Cape region.Design: Descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study designSetting: Western Cape Province (South Africa)Subjects: Triathletes residing in the Western Cape region registered with Triathlon SouthAfrica (N = 26)Outcome measures: Percentage body fat, total energy intake, macro– and micronutrientintake, use and reasons for use of nutritional supplements or nutritional ergogenic aids.Results: The mean age of the men and women was 37.9 [Standard Deviation (SD) 6.82]and 37.5 (9.6) years respectively. The corresponding mean amount of training per weekfor men and women respectively were 15.1 (4.1) and 15.3 (4.7) hours. The percentagebody fat as determined by multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis of the menand women were 12.97% (4.3) and 21.4% (6.3) respectively. The mean dietarymacronutrient intake as determined by a three day food record for men was for totalenergy intake 14 534.7kJ (4509.8), carbohydrate intake 5.3g/kg body weight (BW) (1.9),protein intake 2.0g/kg BW (0.5) and fat intake 34.6% (10.31) of total energyrequirements. Dietary micronutrients not reaching 67% of dietary reference intakes (DRI)from food alone included iodine (44%) and fluoride (49%). Vitamin C (154%).Micronutrient intake above upper limit (UL) was sodium (213%), manganese (162%) andniacin (228%). The dietary macronutrient intake for women was for total energy intake 9004.1kJ (2368.8), carbohydrate intake 3.5g/kg BW (1.0), protein intake 1.2g/kg BW(0.2) and fat intake 29.8% of total energy intake (6.0). Micronutrients not reaching 67%of the DRI were chloride (61%), iodine (31%) and fluoride (52%). Micronutrient intakeabove the UL was vitamin C (218%) and manganese (174%). The dietary intake of themen was inadequate in carbohydrate, provided sufficient energy and protein andexcessive fat. The dietary intake of the women was inadequate in total energy andcarbohydrate, with an adequate protein intake and excessive fat intake. Although thesample size was very small, some associations were found between dietary intake andclinical health status. Seventy three percent of the triathletes use over the counter dietarysupplements. The supplements used most often included carbohydrate supplements(81%), multivitamin and mineral supplements (81%) single vitamins (65%), proteinsupplements (100%), single minerals (58%), antioxidants (54%) and herbal supplements(42%). Most popular reasons for consuming supplements included recovery (62%),increasing energy supply (61%), enhancing immune function (50%), exerciseperformance enhancement (46%), increasing muscle mass (54%) and to make up for aninadequate diet or nutrient replacement (31%).Conclusion: Percentage body fat of the men and women were at the upper end of therange associated with elite athletes. The athletes have a fairly good intake of macro– andmicro-nutrients. Inadequate habitual carbohydrate intake can be attenuated by the vastmajority of the triathletes taking additional carbohydrate supplementation. Supplementswere used widely among the athletes, whether it is scientifically proven to be beneficialor not.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University