Lietuvos didelio meistriškumo slidininkų ir biatlonininkų mitybos bei fizinio išsivystymo ypatumai

Abstract

Physical development of high-performance winter sports athletes must be optimal, and with proper diets athletes must ensure an increased their body’s needs for essential nutrients. Only a scientific evaluation of the athletes’ nutrition status provides the opportunity to adjust, optimize and personalize their diets properly. The aim of the present research was to assess nutrition status (3-day food records), physical development for high-performance Lithuanian skiers and biathletes. Research on the athletes nutrition status and physical development was carried out in the preparatory competition period in 2013. The sample included skiers (n = 14) and biathletes (n = 20). The results showed that nutrition profile of Lithuanian elite skiers and biathletes determines an optimal physical development of male athletes and a moderate physical development of female athletes. Nevertheless, nutrition status of skiers and biathletes does not meet the requirements. This is confirmed by the data that protein intake of athletes does not meet the guidelines, their diets lack carbohydrates and there is too much fat. It was found that the athletes’ nutrition status depends on gender. Male athletes’ diets do not contain enough carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids), vitamin D and contain too much protein, fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. On the contrary, the energy intake of food does not cover the energy expenditure of female athletes, their diets lack carbohydrates, protein, non-essential aminoacid phenilalanine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D, A, B1, B2, B12, folic acid and minerals potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc. In conclusion the nutrition of high-performance winter sports athletes in Lithuania must be optimized, individualized and adjusted according to the gender. Special attention must be paid to nutritional care of female athletes, which nutrition profile does not meet the requirements and can‘t stimulate maximal adaptation of the body to long-lasting and (or) highintensity physical loads.