Download Post-exercise carbohydrate intake of elite female volleyball players

Post-exercise carbohydrate intake of elite female volleyball players
Stoffel-Kurt Nadine, Sottnikova Ivana, Colombani Paolo C.
INW Nutrition Biology, Department of Agriculture and Food Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich,
Switzerland
Introduction
Adequate nutrition is a key factor for optimal sport performance. Carbohydrate availability plays a particular role as
critical fuel for the muscles and central nervous system as well as for a rapid post-exercise recovery. Very little data
about dietary intake in elite volleyball exist. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the energy and nutrient intake of female elite volleyball players, paying particular attention to the immediate post-exercise carbohydrate
intake.
Methods
The nutrition was recorded by 9 female elite volleyball players of a top Swiss team (mean±SE age 26.9 ± 1.2 years;
body mass (BM): 73.0 ± 2.3 kg; height: 180.6 ± 3.2 cm). Data were collected using a 7-day weighed dietary record.
Energy expenditure was calculated from BM and skin fold thickness, and from a 7-day physical activity record to determine the basal metabolic rate.
2.6
2.4
Recommendation
2.2
2
Carbohydrate [g/kg BM]
Results
Mean energy intake was 7.6
± 0.5 MJ/d and ranged from
5.7 to 11.3 MJ/d (the energy
intake was 64 % of the estimated energy expenditure).
The intake of the macronutrients was: carbohydrates 3.21 ± 0.36 g/kg BM,
protein 0.93 ± 0.04 g/kg BM
and fat 0.89 ± 0.07 g/kg BM.
No significant difference
(paired t-test) was observed
with
the
energy
and
macronutrient intake when
comparing the mean values
of the training days with the
mean values of the trainingfree days, except for a
higher protein intake with
training days. All players
consumed only plain water
during the exercise sessions
(0.42 ± 0.06 L/h). The
carbohydrate intake during
the first 120 min post
exercise was 0.64 ± 0.17
g/kg BM (see Figure).
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
Mean Intake
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Subjects
Figure: Carbohydrate intake 120 min post exercise compared to recommendation (3)
Discussion/Conclusion
The volleyball players did not meet the recommended daily intake of 5 - 12 g carbohydrate/kg BM (1). Protein intake
was also below the recommendations (1.2 -1.7 g Protein/kg BM/d) (2), but not to the same extent as carbohydrate intake. Of particular interest was the low post-exercise carbohydrate intake, which for the first 120 min after exercise
was far below the suggested amount of 1.2 g/kg BM/h for optimal glycogen replenishment (3). The importance of a
carbohydrate-rich nutrition (or the know-how to put such nutrition into practice) seems not to be common knowledge
with elite volleyball players. This was also reflected in the food intake during exercise and competition where the athletes did not consume any carbohydrates. Furthermore, since jumping and agility are important performance factors
which are dependent on body mass, volleyball players may feel the pressure to be light-weighted. Better information
and counselling may help these athletes to find a balance between body mass control and achieving the fuel intake
goals necessary for optimal performance. For instance, the carbohydrate deficits could be substantially and easily
corrected without strongly impacting nutritional habits solely by using of sports drinks or other carbohydrate supplements, either during or after exercise.
References
1. Burke LM et al (2004). J Sports Sci 22:15-30
2. ACSM/ADA/DC (2000). Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:2130-45
3. Van Loon LJ et al (2000). Am J Clin Nutr 72:96-105