Rekreasyonel Koşucularda Kullanılabilir Enerji Düzeyinin ve Makro Besin Ögesi Alımlarının Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Runners often have a low level of energy availability due to the high cost of energy or low body weight goals. The aim of this study was to determine the energy availability and macronutrient intake of recreational runners and to compare these values for an intense training day, a light training day and a rest day. The study included a total of 42 healthy volunteers (21 men and 21 women), aged 19-42 years, who had been recreational endurance runners (at least 3 days/week) for at least 1 year. Participants' resting metabolic rate was calculated using the Cunningham equation. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Food consumption and physical activity were recorded for 4 days (2 intense training days, 1 light training day and a rest day) and macronutrients, energy intake, energy expenditure, energy availability and energy balance were calculated for these days. Independent groups T-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used for data analysis. The energy availability levels for women were 34.52  17.28, 30.71  14.29 and 37.55  17.15 kcal/kg FFM on intense, light and rest days, respectively (p > 0.05). Energy availability levels for men were 24.72  9.01, 30.22  12.98 and 32.25  14.66 kcal/kg FFM/day on intense, light and rest days, respectively (p > 0.05). When the participants were evaluated in terms of energy deficit, 9.5% of them had an energy deficit and all of them were women. With regard to the general macronutrient intake of the participants, while the protein intake was at the recommended levels, the carbohydrate intake remained below the recommended levels. In conclusion, male and female recreational runners assessed in this study were at risk of low energy availability. This suggests that energy and nutrient intakes need to be individually monitored and planned to protect health and improve performance.