Body Composition, Nutrition and Hydration Profile of Paralympic Athletes

Year 2024, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 292 - 315, 28.08.2024

Tuğba Kahvecioğlu , Şule Aktaç

https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1433152

Abstract

Paralympic athletes are separated from healthy athletes by having various diseases/disabilities and using auxiliary equipment. This study was planned to compare paralympic athletes' hydration, body composition, and nutritional status. For this purpose, a comparison of branches, sex, and nutritional habits on training day and non-training day were examined by 66 professional athletes from the Turkish Physically Disabled Sports Federation included in the research. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, and physical activity data of individuals were collected. Dietary, physical activity, and water balance scale records were determined to evaluate the nutritional, physical activity, and hydration status of these athletes, respectively. Food consumption data were analyzed with the Nutrition Information System (BeBis) in detail; energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, water, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, and iron were examined. Measuring mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a good indicator of skeletal muscle protein mass. While women’s MUAC was 28.9±3.8 cm and men’s MUAC was 30.7±7.0 cm, respectively. When the reference values recommended for healthy athletes are met, it has been observed that protein, carbohydrate, iron, and calcium didn’t meet the recommendations. Carbohydrate, dietary vitamin D, calcium and magnesium values were found to be higher on the training day than on the non-training day (p<0.05). There was no difference between spesific gravity, fluid intake during exercise or the amount of sweating of the athletes (p>0.05). The hydration status of the athletes was found to be inadequate in all conditions of gender, branch and the presence or absence of training.

Keywords

Nutritional Status, Physical Activity, Physically Disabled

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Ethics Committee on 01.11.2019 with protocol code 09.2019.956. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants.

Supporting Institution

No conflict of interest is declared by the authors. In addition, no financial support was received.

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