File(s) not publicly available
Comparison of postexercise nutrition knowledge and postexercise carbohydrate and protein intake between Australian masters and younger triathletes
journal contribution
posted on 2018-07-17, 00:00 authored by Thomas DoeringThomas Doering, Peter ReaburnPeter Reaburn, G Cox, DG JenkinsPostexercise nutrition is a critical component of an athlete's recovery from training and competition. However, little is known about athletes' postexercise dietary practices or knowledge of dietary recommendations, particularly among masters athletes. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the knowledge of postexercise nutritional recommendations, and typical postexercise intakes of carbohydrate and protein, between masters and younger triathletes. 182 triathletes (Male = 101, Female = 81) completed an online survey distributed by Triathlon Australia. Knowledge of postexercise nutrition recommendations for protein and carbohydrate intake were assessed as a group, and contrasted between subgroups of masters (≥50 years) and younger triathletes (≤30 years). Using dietary recall, postexercise intakes of carbohydrate and protein were examined and contrasted between masters and younger triathletes. As a group, 43.1% and 43.9% of all triathletes answered, "I don't know" when asked to identify the recommended postexercise carbohydrate and protein intakes, respectively. Dietary analysis revealed masters triathletes consumed significantly less carbohydrate (0.7 ± 0.4 g.kg-1) postexercise than recommended (1.0 g.kg-1; p = .001), and in comparison with younger triathletes (1.1 ± 0.6 g.kg-1; p = .01). Postexercise protein intakes were similar between masters (19.6 ± 13.5 g) and younger (26.4 ± 15.8 g) triathletes. However, relative to body mass, masters triathletes consumed significantly less protein (0.3 ± 0.2 g.kg-1) than younger triathletes (0.4 ± 0.2 g.kg-1; p = .03), and consumed significantly less energy postexercise (22.7 ± 11.7 kJ.kg-1) than younger triathletes (37.8 ± 19.2 kJ.kg-1; p = .01). The present data suggests triathletes have poor knowledge of recommendations for postexercise carbohydrate and protein intakes. Furthermore, low postexercise intakes of carbohydrate and protein by masters athletes may impair acute recovery.
History
Volume
26Issue
4Start Page
338End Page
346Number of Pages
9eISSN
1543-2742ISSN
1526-484XLocation
United StatesPublisher
Human KineticsPublisher DOI
Language
engPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
Australian Institute of Sport, Gold Coast, University of QueenslandEra Eligible
- Yes