Dietary intake of professional Australian football athletes surrounding body composition assessment

• DOI: 10.1186/s12970-018-0248-5
• Publication Date: 2018-09-14T04:51:17Z
• Authors: Sarah Louise Jenner; Gina Trakman; Aaron Coutts; Thomas Kempton; Samuel Ryan; Adrienne Forsyth; Regina Belski
• Keywords: Clinical nutrition; Sports medicine; Sports nutrition; Dietary Reference Intake

Background Sports Dietitians aim to assist in improving performance by developing nutrition knowledge (NK), enhancing dietary intake and optimising body composition of athletes. In a high-pressure environment, it is important identify factors that may compromise an athlete's status. Body assessments are regularly undertaken sport provide feedback on training adaptions; however, no research has explored the impact these professional athletes.Methods This cross-sectional study assessed (7-day food diary), (Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire) (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) 46 male Australian football (AFL) athletes during 2017 pre-season week (7 days) where were undertaken. Dietary was against International Olympic Committee recommendations athletes.Results Overall, athlete met their recommended energy (15 ± 1.1 vs. 9.1 1.8 MJ, respectively) or carbohydrate (6–10 2.4 0.9 g·kg-1·day-1). Only 54% protein recommendations. Secondary analyses demonstrated significant associations between education status (P < 0.04) vegetable 0.03), with higher levels being associated intakes. A moderately positive association observed NK scores meeting estimated requirements (r = 0.33, P 0.03). also positively 0.35, 0.02), fibre 0.51, 0.001) calcium intakes 0.43, 0.004).Conclusions identified AFL did not meet current Several influence athletes, including lower levels, poor restriction surrounding assessment. Athletes require support continue performance-based plans periods