Nutritional recovery practices of team sport athletes training at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : Aim: To determine nutritional recovery practices of team sport athletes training at NelsonMandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), South AfricaObjectives: i) To determine timing and macronutrient composition of recovery meals ii) todetermine factors driving recovery food choices, iii) to identify sources of recovery nutritioninformation iv) to compare data to current literature recommendations for optimal recovery,and v) to compare athletes in terms of gender and sport code.Design: A cross-sectional study design with an analytical component.Setting: NMMU, Eastern Cape, South AfricaSubjects: Qualifying students had to be 18 years of age or older, competent in English andpart of a registered NMMU hockey (n=29), netball (n=26), or rugby (n=31) team.Methods: A multiple choice questionnaire was used to identify sources of recovery nutritioninformation and factors influencing choices. 24-Hour diet recalls were analysed to establishtiming and macronutrient composition of recovery meals.Results: Eighty-six athletes including both females (53%, n=46) and males (47%, n=40);rugby (36%, n=31), netball (30%, n=26) and hockey (34%, n=29) voluntarily participated.Ninety-one percent (n=78) were between the ages of 19 and 24. Most athletes (86%, n=74)prepared their own recovery meals. Seventy-four athletes completed 24-hour diet recalls.Average daily macronutrient composition of all groups: fat (33 ± 8.7) percent of total energy,total protein (g/kg body weight (BW)/day) (1.49 ± 0.81); total carbohydrate (g/kg BW/day)(2.57 ±1.17). Eighty-eight percent (n=65) had a recovery meal after exercise. The averagetime lapse between exercise and the recovery meal was (40.5 ±28.27) minutes; with postexercisecarbohydrate intake (g/kg BW) (0.52 ±0.42) and post-exercise protein intake (g)(29.96 ±18.76). The most important factors driving recovery food choices were: nutritionalcomposition (35%, n=30), easy to prepare (34%, n=29) and it must fill them up (13%, n=11).Sports nutrition advice came mainly from coaches (35%, n=30), family and friends (24%,n=21). Average daily carbohydrate intake (all groups) of 2.57g/kg/day (±1.17) wassignificantly below recommended literature values (5-7g/kg/day) (p=0.00). Daily proteinintake (all groups) of 1.5g/kg/day (±0.81) met literature guidelines (1.2-1.7g/kg/day). Theaverage fat intake (all groups) of 34% (±8.7) of total energy was within guidelines 20-35% of total energy. An average time delay of 40.5 minutes (±28.3) was significantly (p=0.004)above literature recommendation (< 30 minutes after exercise). All groups failed to meetrecovery carbohydrate intake post-exercise 0.52g/kg BW (± 0.42; p=0.00), with rugbyplayers (0.35g/kg BW ±0.33; p=0.00) and males (0.34g/kg BW ±0.32; p=0.00) having theleast recovery carbohydrates. Protein needs post-exercise (20-25g) was met (all groups)29.96g (±18.75). Daily protein intake for male athletes (1.95g/kg BW ± 0.85; p=0.00) andrugby players' (2.03g/kg BW ± 0.92; p=0.00) were significantly above literaturerecommendations (1.2-1.7g/kg BW), compared to female athletes (1.15 ±0.58; p=0.61) andnetball players (1.00 ±0.58; p=0.12) where no statistical significance was found. Females hada significant time delay between exercise and the recovery meal of 50.12 minutes (± 31.02;p=0.00) compared to male athletes consuming recovery meal at 28.52 minutes (±18.9;p=0.67) after exercise. Netball players were found delaying recovery meal the most, with59.64 minutes (±27.15; p=0.00) compared to hockey (33 minutes ± 30.01; p=0.64) and rugbyplayers (29.88 minutes ±19.03; p=0.97) meeting recommendations.Conclusion: All participating athletes significantly failed to meet recommended recovery anddaily carbohydrate intake for team sport athletes, with emphasis on protein consumption;males consuming significantly more than recommendations. The significant time delay foundbetween exercise and the recovery meal could negatively impact performance when recoverytime is short. Lack of knowledge in the basics of recovery nutrition and generalmisconceptions in the field of nutrition as well as time constraints and tight budgets are themost likely factors influencing recovery food choices. Coaches, family, and friends aseducators should be included as part of nutritional education programmes.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University