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Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 August 2021) | Viewed by 31415

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Dr. Melissa Puppa

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College of Health Science, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
Interests: muscle metabolism; metabolic dysfunction; cachexia; nutrition; exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

Sports nutrition has come a long way in recent years. Nutritional support during training and competition can impact an athlete’s performance. Nutritional support may vary based on the type of training and can vary from pre and intra to post training. Several nutritional strategies including supplementation and nutrient timing, which is primarily focused on the intake of protein and carbohydrate before, during, and after training or training in a fasted state, are also commonly employed by athletes to enhance training and performance. It is widely recognized that the types and timing of nutrients will vary based on sport and a weightlifter will not have the same energy and nutrient requirements as an endurance athlete. It is also recognized that nutrition for athletic performance may differ from nutritional recommendations for long-term health.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight relevant topics on nutritional support for athletes including diet composition, supplements, and meal timing surrounding training and sport. We welcome different types of manuscript submissions, including original research articles and up-to-date reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

Dr. Melissa Puppa
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nutrient timing
sport nutrition
sport supplements
exercise nutrition
post-exercise nutrition

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Within-Day Energy Balance and Metabolic Suppression in Male Collegiate Soccer Players

by Sihyung Lee, Kuniko Moto, Seungah Han, Taewoong Oh and Motoko Taguchi

Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2644; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082644 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2577

Abstract

Metabolic suppression due to relative energy deficiency can cause various physiological impairments in athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate within-day energy balance (WDEB) and the ratio between measured and predicted resting energy expenditure (REE_ratio) and to investigate the relationships between the markers of metabolic suppression. Ten male collegiate soccer players completed a 7-day food diary, physical activity, and heart rate records during the training and rest days. Energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) were analyzed to evaluate WDEB components. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and blood sampling was conducted for hormonal analysis. The REE was measured using the Douglas bag method and predicted using the DXA-predicted method to calculate the REE_ratio. Participants were categorized into the normal (REE_ratio ≥ 0.94, n = 5) and suppressed (REE_ratio < 0.94, n = 5) groups. There were no group differences in the components of WDEB, except diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), but EI was significantly higher in the normal group than in the suppressed group (7-day total: 3660 ± 347 vs. 3024 ± 491 kcal/day, p = 0.046 and rest days: 3772 ± 463 vs. 2796 ± 800 kcal/day, p = 0.046). Analysis of hormonal markers of metabolic suppression only showed a significant positive association between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and REE_ratio (r = 0.771, p = 0.009). The relationships between metabolic suppression and the markers of energy deficiency were inconclusive. There are possible associations of insufficient EI and IGF-1 levels with metabolic suppression, and further study is required to understand energy deficiency in male soccer players. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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12 pages, 1898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Feeding Time on Markers of Muscle Metabolic Flexibility Following Acute Aerobic Exercise in Trained Mice Undergoing Time Restricted Feeding

by Aaron Persinger, Matthew Butawan, Martina Faietti, Ashley Pryke, Kyley Rose, Marie van der Merwe, Richard J. Bloomer and Melissa J. Puppa

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051717 - 19 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4620

Abstract

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is becoming a popular way of eating in physically active populations, despite a lack of research on metabolic and performance outcomes as they relate to the timing of food consumption in relation to the time of exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if the timing of feeding/fasting after exercise training differently affects muscle metabolic flexibility and response to an acute bout of exercise. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to one of three groups for 8 weeks. The control had ad libitum access to food before and after exercise training. TRF-immediate had immediate access to food for 6 h following exercise training and the TRF-delayed group had access to food 5-h post exercise for 6 h. The timing of fasting did not impact performance in a run to fatigue despite TRF groups having lower hindlimb muscle mass. TRF-delayed had lower levels of muscle HSL mRNA expression and lower levels of PGC-1α expression but displayed no changes in electron transport chain enzymes. These results suggest that in young populations consuming a healthy diet and exercising, the timing of fasting may not substantially impact metabolic flexibility and running performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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16 pages, 7178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single Ingestion of Trehalose Enhances Prolonged Exercise Performance by Effective Use of Glucose and Lipid in Healthy Men

by Naomi Hamada, Tsuyoshi Wadazumi, Yoko Hirata, Mayumi Kuriyama, Kanji Watanabe, Hitoshi Watanabe, Nobuko Hongu and Norie Arai

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051439 - 24 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3436

Abstract

Trehalose increases blood glucose levels slowly and induces a slight insulin response. The present study aimed to study the effect of trehalose on prolonged exercise performance. The participants were 12 healthy men (age: 21.3 ± 0.9 y). After an overnight fast (12 h), [...] Read more.

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O₂peak) for 60 min using a bicycle ergometer. They continued to exercise with a constant load (40%

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O₂peak) for 30 min between four sets of the 30-s Wingate test. After the 1st set, each participant ingested 500 mL water (control), 8% glucose, or 8% trehalose in three trials. These three trials were at least one week apart and were conducted in a double-blind and randomized crossover manner. Blood was collected for seven biochemical parameters at 12 time points during the experiment. The area under the curve of adrenaline after ingestion of trehalose was significantly lower than that for water and tended to be lower than that for glucose in the later stage of the exercise. Lower secretion of adrenaline after a single dose of 8% trehalose during prolonged exercise reflected the preservation of carbohydrates in the body in the later stage of the exercise. In conclusion, a single ingestion of trehalose helped to maintain prolonged exercise performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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15 pages, 1937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Pre-Game Carbohydrate Intake on Running Performance and Substrate Utilisation during Simulated Gaelic Football Match Play

by Luke O’Brien, Kieran Collins, Richard Webb, Ian Davies, Dominic Doran and Farzad Amirabdollahian

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051392 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4799

Abstract

Background: Previous research has reported that elite Gaelic football players’ carbohydrate (CHO) intakes are sub-optimal, especially, in the lead up to competitive matches. Despite clear decrements in running performance across elite Gaelic football matches, there are no studies that have investigated nutrition interventions on match-related Gaelic football performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether a higher-CHO diet in line with sports nutrition guidelines can improve Gaelic football-related performance compared to lower CHO intakes previously observed in Gaelic footballers. Methods: Twelve Gaelic football players completed a Gaelic football simulation protocol (GFSP) on two occasions after consuming a high-CHO diet (7 g·kg⁻¹) (HCHO) or an energy-matched lower-CHO diet (3.5 g·kg⁻¹) (L-CHO) for 48 h. Movement demands and heart rate were measured using portable global positioning systems devices. Countermovement jump height (CMJ) and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) were measured throughout each trial. Expired respiratory gases were collected throughout the trial using a portable gas analyser. Blood samples were taken at rest, half-time, and post-simulation. Results: There was no significant difference in total distance (p = 0.811; η² = 0.005) or high-speed running distance (HSRD) covered between both trials. However, in the second half of the HCHO trial, HSRD was significantly greater compared to the second half of the LCHO trial (p = 0.015). Sprint distance covered during GFSP was significantly greater in HCHO (8.1 ± 3.5 m·min⁻¹) compared with LCHO (6.4 ± 3.2 m·min⁻¹) (p = 0.011; η² = 0.445). RSA performance (p < 0.0001; η² = 0.735) and lower body power (CMJ) (p < 0.0001; η² = 0.683) were significantly greater during the HCHO trial compared to LCHO. Overall CHO oxidation rates were significantly greater under HCHO conditions compared to LCHO (3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.7 ± 0.6 g·min⁻¹) (p < 0.001; η² = 0.798). Blood lactate concentrations were significantly higher during HCHO trial versus LCHO (p = 0.026; η² = 0.375). There were no significant differences in plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol concentration between trials. In both trials, all blood metabolites were significantly elevated at half-time and post-trial compared to pre-trial. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a higher-CHO diet can reduce declines in physical performance during simulated Gaelic football match play. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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15 pages, 2532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pre-Exercise Carbohydrate or Protein Ingestion Influences Substrate Oxidation but Not Performance or Hunger Compared with Cycling in the Fasted State

by Jeffrey A. Rothschild, Andrew E. Kilding, Sophie C. Broome, Tom Stewart, John B. Cronin and Daniel J. Plews

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041291 - 14 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 11080

Abstract

Nutritional intake can influence exercise metabolism and performance, but there is a lack of research comparing protein-rich pre-exercise meals with endurance exercise performed both in the fasted state and following a carbohydrate-rich breakfast. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three pre-exercise nutrition strategies on metabolism and exercise capacity during cycling. On three occasions, seventeen trained male cyclists (VO_2peak 62.2 ± 5.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, 31.2 ± 12.4 years, 74.8 ± 9.6 kg) performed twenty minutes of submaximal cycling (4 × 5 min stages at 60%, 80%, and 100% of ventilatory threshold (VT), and 20% of the difference between power at the VT and peak power), followed by 3 × 3 min intervals at 80% peak aerobic power and 3 × 3 min intervals at maximal effort, 30 min after consuming a carbohydrate-rich meal (CARB; 1 g/kg CHO), a protein-rich meal (PROTEIN; 0.45 g/kg protein + 0.24 g/kg fat), or water (FASTED), in a randomized and counter-balanced order. Fat oxidation was lower for CARB compared with FASTED at and below the VT, and compared with PROTEIN at 60% VT. There were no differences between trials for average power during high-intensity intervals (367 ± 51 W, p = 0.516). Oxidative stress (F₂-Isoprostanes), perceived exertion, and hunger were not different between trials. Overall, exercising in the overnight-fasted state increased fat oxidation during submaximal exercise compared with exercise following a CHO-rich breakfast, and pre-exercise protein ingestion allowed similarly high levels of fat oxidation. There were no differences in perceived exertion, hunger, or performance, and we provide novel data showing no influence of pre-exercise nutrition ingestion on exercise-induced oxidative stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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12 pages, 726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Availability in Male and Female Elite Wheelchair Athletes over Seven Consecutive Training Days

by Thomas Egger and Joelle Leonie Flueck

Nutrients 2020, 12(11), 3262; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113262 - 25 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3875

Abstract

Background: Low energy availability (LEA) is a major problem as athletes often restrict their energy intake. It has been shown that LEA occurs often in female and endurance athletes and in athletes from weight-sensitive or aesthetic sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate energy availability (EA) in elite wheelchair athletes. Methods: Fourteen elite wheelchair athletes (8 males; 6 females) participated. Data were collected using a weighed seven-day food and training diary to estimate energy intake and exercise energy expenditure. Resting energy expenditure and body composition were measured, whereas energy balance (EB) was calculated. Results: Measured over 7 days, EA was significantly different (36.1 ± 6.7 kcal kg⁻¹ FFM day⁻¹) in male compared to female (25.1 ± 7.1 kcal kg⁻¹ FFM day⁻¹) athletes (p < 0.001). From all analyzed days, LEA occurred in 73% of the days in female athletes and in 30% of the days in male athletes. EB was positive in male athletes (+169.1 ± 304.5 kcal) and negative (−288.9 ± 304.8 kcal) in female athletes. Conclusions: A higher prevalence of LEA was found in female compared to male athletes. A higher energy intake would be recommended to meet energy needs and to maximize training adaptation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Peri-Training Nutrition and Sports: Nutritional Support for Athletes)

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