Nutrient intake and eating habits of professional women tennis players

Abstract

The dietary status of 40 professional women tennis players was evaluated. The nutrition section of the Health Habits and History Questionnaire was used to collect the data. The analysis of the questionnaires found a mean daily caloric intake of 2020 kcal or 33 kcal/kg. The mean percentage of kcal from carbohydrates of 50% was lower than the recommended range of 60% to 70% for athletes; the percentage of kcal from fat was 31% i and the mean intake of protein was in the recommended range of 1.0 to 1.5 g/kg. The mean intake of vitamins and minerals was over 100% of the RDA; however, some of the individual intakes were below 67% of the RDA for vitamin E, riboflavin, calcium, folacin, and iron. The use of supplements resulted in 200% or higher of the RDA in the daily intakes of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, iron, and calcium.

The analysis of the subjects weekly food intake revealed a mean intake of 4.6 servings of chicken and fish compared to 1.0 to 0.3 for beef and pork. The mean intake for fruit was 16.8 servings and vegetables was 23.3 servings. The mean intake for pasta was 5.9 servings and dairy products was 2.6 servings.

The nutrient intake of the professional women tennis players was comparable to that of other women athletes of various sports found in the literature.