Dietary Calories And Macronutrients Intake In Crossfit® Practitioners
Vieira, Lilian Cardoso Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: August 2021 - Volume 53 - Issue 8S - p 275
Adequate nutrition is extremely important to provide energy and nutrients for physical exercise and recovery of muscle damage. Crossfit® is a strength and conditioning program and the exercises are performed rapidly, repetitively in a high intensity with little or no recovery time between sets.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to verify the nutritional intake as calories and macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) in Crossfit® practitioners using traditional dietary assessment methods.
METHODS: Twelve male recreational Crossfit® practitioners (Mean ± SE: age 30.2 ± 5.5 years old/ body mass 80.8 ± 10.8 kg) were recruited to participate in this study. Dietary data were collected by self-reported 6 days intake record. They could choose 4 middle of weekdays and 2 weekends days for 20 days. These records were writing by which one and analyzed using nutrition software.
RESULTS: The data are presented as Mean, SE, and %. Average daily intake was 2.561,9 ± 539,3 kcal/day, corresponding 31,7 ± 7,36 kcal.kg-1.d-1. The intake of protein was 118,9 ± 34 g/day (18,9% of total daily energy intake) and 1,5 ± 0,5 g.kg-1.d-1; carbohydrate 296,7 ± 78,1 g/d (47,4% of total daily energy intake) and 3,5 ± 1,2 g.kg-1.d-1 and fat 95,7 ± 21,7 g/d (33,7% of total daily energy intake). According to the intake recommendations, 100% (12 participants) reported lower energy intake daily, 83% (10 participants) carbohydrates, 41,6% (5 participants) protein. They reported were consuming sufficient (75% - 9 participants) or more (25% - 3 participants) fat daily.
CONCLUSION: In our study, the daily diet of the Crossfit® practitioners indicates a lower intake of important nutrients that could lead to a risk of nutritional irregularities over longer periods. The daily energy intake and carbohydrate content were lower compared to recommendations. Also, we identified the importance of educating athletes and coaches about nutrition, the individual needs, and the energy and nutrients required for a good performance and to decrease the risks of injury.