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Vol. 43. Issue 159.
Pages 118-126 (July 2008)
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Vol. 43. Issue 159.
Pages 118-126 (July 2008)
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Nutritional assessment of dietary habits in young competitive fencers
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Marta Carrasco Margineta, Alfredo Irurtia Amigób, Vicky Pons Salac, Xavier Iglesias Reigd, Eulàlia Vidal Garcíae, Daniel Brotonsf
a Servicio de Nutrición y Dietética. Centro de Estudios de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo. Esplugues de Llobregat. Barcelona. España.
b Departamento de Rendimiento Deportivo del Instituto Nacional de Educación Física de Cataluña. Centro adscrito a la Universidad de Barcelona. Barcelona. España.
c Centre d'Alt Rendiment Esportiu (CAR) de Sant Cugat. Sant Cugat del Vallès. Barcelona. España.
d Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC). Centre de Barcelona. Barcelona. España.
e Escola Universitària d'Infermeria, Fisioteràpia i Nutrició Blanquerna (EUIFN). Barcelona. España.
f Centre d'Estudis d'Alt Rendiment Esportiu. Consell Català de l'Esport (CEARE). Barcelona. España.
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Introduction and objectives: Although the nutritional requirements and somatic profile of the elite fencer have been described, this information is lacking in young fencers. The aim of the present study was two-fold: firstly, to describe the kinanthropometric profile of a group of young competitive fencers and, secondly, to assess their nutritional habits. Methodology: The present observational, descriptive study classified the variables analyzed into two categories: a) nutritional assessment (24 h recording): total energy, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, cholesterol, dietary water content, vitamins and minerals; b) kinanthropometric assessment: height, weight, somatotype, and body composition. Results: Total energy intake was above recommended levels in 26.3% of the group and below these levels in 57.9%. Carbohydrate intake was lower than recommended, whereas protein and lipid intake was higher. Intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats was below recommended levels in 89.5% and 63.2% of young fencers, respectively. Saturated fat intake was higher than recommended intake in 89.5% of the fencers. Fiber consumption was deficient in 52.6% of the fencers. In contrast, cholesterol intake was higher than recommended consumption in 73.7%. Vitamin intake was in line with recommended levels but intake of some minerals was deficient. Both sexes were remarkably heterogeneous in somatic profile. Conclusions: Nutritional habits in most of the young fencers analyzed were unsuitable both to maintain a state of health and to practice sport. These habits should be corrected through proper education and nutritional follow-up with further interventions to optimize sports performance. The kinanthropometric assessment confirms these results.

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