Dietary intakes of Greek basketball players

Abstract

This study assesses the nutritional status of 15 elite athletes. Their body weight, height and skinfold thickness were measured and BMI calculated. Dietary intakes were assessed using three days’ dietary diaries for each athletic season. Data were collected over three athletic seasons, the transitional (vacation), the training and the competitive. The results showed that the athletes’ mean energy intake decreased from the transitional to the training season. and that during the competitive season most athletes were not in energy balance. Their mean protein intake varied from 11 percent of energy intake during the transitional season, to 16 percent during the competitive season. Carbohydrates provided 41‐53 percent of energy intake, whereas fat intake ranged from 32‐48 percent, indicating a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate. Dietary intakes varied among the athletes but in general they had an unbalanced nutrition. Provision of appropriate nutritional information in Greek athletic teams is needed to improve athletes’ diet and performance.

Citation

Hassapidou, M.N., Fourtounopoulos, D., Efstratiou, E., Kitsou, S. and Papakitsos, C. (2003), "Dietary intakes of Greek basketball players", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 23-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650310459536