Evaluation of the actual nutrition and nutritional status of combat athletes

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the actual nutrition and nutritional status of combat athletes. Materials and methods: the evaluation of the actual nutrition of 129 athletes involved in martial arts: 86 men (average age 22.1±0.5 years) and 43 women (average age 22.2±0.8 years) were carried out. The actual nutrition was investigated by the method of 24-hour (daily) reproduction of food intake. The biochemical and anthropometric markers of the nutritional status were evaluated; body mass index (BMI) and component body composition were assessed using bioimpedansometry. Results: results of the study showed unbalanced nutrition of athletes - excessive consumption of animal fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugar (including high-fat dairy products and confectionery).The nutrition analysis of combat athletes revealed a lack of vitamins B, magnesium, calcium, which was associated with low consumption of dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Disturbances in the nutritional structure caused unfavorable changes in some participants, such as an increase in BMI, the amount of adipose tissue, dyslipidemia, against the background of insufficient efficiency of the recovery processes of athletes and the risk of overwork. Conclusions: violation of the nutritional structure of athletes leads to development of pathological changes in nutritional status, which include increase of BMI and the amount of adipose tissue, dyslipidemia due to the lack of efficiency of recovery processes of athletes and the risk of overwork. The noted violations of nutrition and nutritional status are a risk factor for the development of alimentary-dependent diseases (cardiovascular pathology, obesity, osteoporosis, etc.).