A Study on

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF NATIONAL &

STATE LEVEL SPRINTERS

By

MRS. ANJALI TRIPATHI

Enrollment No.: 142228007
M.SC (DFSM)
MFNP

SYNOPSIS
(A synopsis submitted to IGNOU in partial fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Dietetics and
Food Service Management)

Supervised by
Dr. Srilakshmi Potluri
M.Sc, M.Phil, PhD

2018

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 1. INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND
Individualized dietary advice, day to day dietary advice and specific
advice before, during and after training is being increasingly recognized (Beck et al
2015). The athletes should have adequate knowledge of general nutrition, exercise
and proper eating strategies. Depending on various aspects such as athlete’s goal,
the sport which he plays and the environment, athlete’s dietary requirements vary.
Though the nutritional requirements of different athletes vary advice of a registered
dietician or nutritionist will always be beneficial.( Beck et al 2015)
ROLE OF NUTRITION IN SPRINTERS

In sprinters, nutrition plays an important role in not only influencing

training adaptations but also helps in recovery from training and competition. So
when planning optimal nutritional strategies for increasing muscle power and mass,
the type of protein intake along with the timing of its intake along with nutrients
ingested concurrently must be taken into consideration. (Tipton et al 2007)
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
Nutritional strategies help to achieve success in speed-strength sports.
Athletes nowadays use a combination of intensive training and competition
programs with college education generating additional methodological challenges.
In athletes, limited studies are done which compare existing methods and scare
information is there in elite athletes regarding the validity of self-reported dietary
intake. In active competitive athletes, a need for a properly validated dietary
intake method is required. (Wardenaar FC 2017)

AIM
1. To conduct a comparative study of assessment of nutritional status of sprinters
below the age of 20 - 24 years of male sprinters.

OBJECTIVES
The study will be focused on the following objectives -
1. To assess the food habits of National and State level sprinters.

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2. To assess the pre and post meal consumption of sprinters.
3. To assess the fluid and water intake of the National and State level sprinters.
4. To compare the awareness of carbohydrate loading between National level and
State level sprinters.
5. To analyze the consumption of ergogenic aids and compare the data between
National level and State level sprinters.
6. To calculate and compare the energy requirement of National and State level
sprinters.
7. To calculate the intake of various macro nutrients (Proteins, Carbohydrates and
fats) based on 24 hour dietary recall method and compare it with RDA of sports
person to find excess or deficit in intake.
8. To calculate the intake of various micro nutrients (calcium and iron) of National
and State level sprinters.
9. To record anthropometric indices of National and State level sprinters.
10. To access the percentage of body fat with skin fold method.
11. To impart sports nutrition knowledge to National and State level sprinters.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Barbieri (2017) assessed competitive sprinters' body composition and size
and their impact on performance. Results showed that Top sprinters had
significantly greater relaxed and contracted upper arm girths, body mass index, fat
free mass and fat free mass index, thigh and calf girths, and lower ectomorphy
than the lowest tertile. The study concluded that Body composition, size and
somatotype differed between level of performance in speed running. Significant
differences in sprinting performances can be explained by being less ectomorphic,
and greater strength and fat free mass and strength.
A study was conducted by Durkalec-Michalski K et al (2016) with the
aim of the study to assess diet, nutritional habits and body composition in a group
of highly-trained sprinters. Assessment of dietary practices was done by noting
down the consumption of all products by the athletes during 5 consecutive days
and filling a validated food frequency questionnaire. Normal values were

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observed in body composition analysis although low total water levels were found
in females. As concluded by this study little nutritional mistakes were made by
Sprinters as confirmed by normal body composition. In this particular group, an
increased intake of vegetable oils, fish, carbohydrates, some vitamins and whole-
grain breads is recommended.

Beck KL et al (2015) conducted a study and concluded the

following findings. Dietary requirements of an athlete depend on the athlete’s
goal, sport, some practical issues and environment. Individualized dietary
advice has a key role today, which includes dietary advice on a daily basis,
specific advice includes before training, during and after training. A
combination of dietary strategies is adopted by the athletes to maximize
glycogen stores to improve performance. Athletes are using supplements such
as vitamin D, beta- alanine and nitrate, which have beneficial effect on
performance.
Korhonen et al 2014 in his book chapter stated that multiple biochemical
and neuromuscular factors are considered with Sprint running ability. Age-related
muscle loss mainly affects the sprint running ability, so exercises should be
designed to promote muscle growth especially emphasising on increasing the size
of fast-contracting type II fibres. Although protein needs may increase by
combined sprint and strength training and quality protein consumption should be a
considered by older sprinters to aid in muscle recovery.
Garthe I et al (2013) reported the effect of nutritional intervention on
body composition and performance in elite athletes. This study concluded that the
strength training and positive energy intake are the most important factors related
to lean body mass (LBM) gain. Under nutritional guidance BW increased more,
but careful consideration of excess energy intake in a weight-gain protocol should
be done as body fat could increase undesirably.
Uth N (2005) presented a study to compare the anthropometry of sprinters with
the normal population. Anthropometric indices including height and body mass (BM) of
42 male sprinters and 44 female sprinters were compared statistically with the normal
Danish and American populations. The study revealed that BM and height variability was
statistically less among male sprinters compared with normal male population of America

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and Danish BM variability of female sprinters was less compared with normal female
population of America and Danish.

3. METHODOLOGY

The present study will be carried out to assess the nutritional status of
national level and state level sprinter, and find out if there are any differences.

3.1. STUDY AREA

This section is a description of the data collected on nutritional assessment

of national and state level, between the age of 20-24 years by adopting various
scientific methods and techniques.

3.2. RESEARCH DESIGN AND STUDY SUBJECTS

The subjects selected for the study will be trained players from different
sport institutes at Pune. The national level & state level players will be selected
from
A) SPORTS MEDICINE CENTRE
(Ghourpuri, Pune)
B) ARMY SPORTS INSTITUTE
(Ghourpuri, Pune)
The subject selected will be male sprinters between the age group 20 – 24
years who are sprinting for at least 4 to 5 years.

3.3. SIZE OF SAMPLE AND SAMPLING PROCEDURE

Total 50 number of subject will be selected for the study. Data will be
collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire will be filled by researcher
while interviewing the subjects.

3.4. DURATION OF STUDY

The present study will be undertaken for a month April – May 2017

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3.5. Data collection Method

The data will be collected under following subheads-

3.5.1. GENERAL INFORMATION

General information such as name, age, sex, address, family history of

sports, number of tournaments played and won, etc will be collected by
questionnaire and interview schedule method. The questionnaire will be filled by
us while interviewing the subjects. General information will be noted as per the
questionnaire.

A. AGE

As per the inclusion criteria of this study based upon sprinters age,
sprinters between the age group of 20- 24 years will be selected for the study.

B. GENETIC INFLUENCE OF SPORTS

The sprinters selected will be categorized if they had any genetic influence
of sports in family or not.

C. DURATION OF TRAINING

For how many years the sprinter is actively involved in sports will be
asked in the interview schedule.

D. TYPE OF DIET CONSUMED

The sprinters will be interviewed regarding the type of diet they consumed,
whether vegeterian and non- vegetarian

E. NUMBER OF MEALS CONSUMED

The number of meals consumed by the sprinter will also be noted in the
questionnaire.

F. PREGAME MEALS

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 The sprinters will be interviewed if they consumed any food before
workout. The type of food consumed will be recorded.

G. POSTGAME MEALS

Post game meal are essential for replenishing glycogen stores. This finding
will be recorded with the consumption of meals.

H. FLUID CONSUMPTION OF WATER CONSUMED/DAY

The amount of water consumed by the sprinters will be also recorded.

I. CONSUMPTION OF FLUID OTHER THAN WATER

If any other fluid, other than water will be consumed by the sprinters then
it will be also recorded.

J. CONSUMPTION OF FLUIDS DURING PRACTICE

The consumption of fluid exercise is a good habit. The consumption of

fluids during practice will be noted down.

K. CONSUMPTION OF FLUIDS AFTER PRACTICE

As the water and electrolyte levels replinish after exercise, so fluid should
be consumed after exercise. The consumption of fluids after exercise will be
recorded.

L. CARBOHYDRATE LOADING

Carbohydrate loading will be recorded.

M. CONSUMPTION OF ERGOGENIC AIDS

The consumption of ergogenic aids will be analyzed and recorded.

N. DIETARY RECALL OF 24 HOURS

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 A 24 hour diet recall chart with general information will be given to every
sprinter. It will be filled by them and collected next day. Menu and quantity along
with time will be mentioned in it.

3.5.2. DIETARY ASSESSMENT

ENERGY - To maintain body weight it is necessary to balance the energy derived

from food with that expended in physical activity. To lose weight, energy
expenditure must exceed intake and to gain weight , energy intake must exceed
expenditure.

3.5.3. Macronutrients

A. Average Carbohydrate

Average carbohydrate consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

B. Percentage Carbohydrate

Percentage carbohydrate consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

C. Average Fat

Average fat consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

D. Percentage Fat

Percentage fat consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

E. Average Protein

Average protein consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

F. Percentage protein

Percentage protein consumed by the sprinters will be recorded

3.5.4. Calcium and iron intake

A. Average calcium

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Average calcium consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

B. Average iron

Average iron consumed by the sprinters will be recorded.

3.5.5 Anthropometric assessment

The following anthropometric data will be collected using calibrated scales
- height (cm), weight (kg), BMI (kg/m2) and subcutaneous body fat (%)

A. HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

The height will be measured with a vertical height meter which will be 195
cm high and a least count of 0.1 cm. The subjects were asked to remove their
shoes and stand straight by the scale with their feet parallel and the arms hanging
loose by the side in a natural manner..

B. WEIGHT MEASUREMENT
A standardized electronic weighing scale having a least count of 0.01 kg
will be used to weigh the sprinter. The subjects will be asked to remove their
shoes and heavy clothing, if any. They were made to stand erect at the centre of
the scale without touching anything around and the weight was recorded.

C. BODY MASS INDEX

Body mass index will be calculated using Easy care machine.

D. SUBCUTANEOUS BODY FAT

Subcutaneous Body fat will be calculated using Easy care machine.

E. UPPER ARM CIRCUMFERENCE

Upper Arm Circumference is the circumference of the upper arm,
measured at the mid way between the point acromial humeral and radial. Upper
arm circumference will be recorded in sitting position.

F. ABDOMEN
Abdomen will be measured 1 inch above the navel (Umbilicus).

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G. RIGHT FORE ARM

Right forearm will be measured. The maximum girth with the arm
extended in front of the body with palm up will be measured.

H. RIGHT CALF

Right calf will be measured. The widest girth mid way between the ankle
and knee will be measured.

3.6. INSTRUMENT

For measuring height Heightometer will be used and for measuring Weight, BMI
and Subcutaneous body Fat “EASY CARE MACHINE” will be used.

3.7. Statistical Analysis of Data

The collected data will be entered in “Microsoft Excel” work sheets of

software Windows 10. Various statistical measures will then be evaluated with the
help of tabulated data and categories there in. The data will be analysed using
GraphPad Prism 8 software and Openepi software (for calculating t test for two
independent variables).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Beck KL, Thomson JS, Swift RJ, von Hurst PR. Role of nutrition in
performance enhancement and postexercise recovery. Open Access J
Sports Med 2015; 6: 259–267.
2. Barbieri D, Zaccagni L, Babic V, Rakovac M, et al. Body composition and
size in sprint athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2017 Sept; 57 (9); 1142 –
1146.
3. Durkalec - Michalski K, Baraniak A, Kusy K, Krol-Zielinska M, Zielinski
J. The Assessment of nutrition and body composition in Elite Polish
sprinters. J Kinesiology Ex Sci 2016; 74 (26): 47-54.
4. Garthe I, Raastad T, Refsnes PE, Sundgot- Borgen J. Effect of nutritional
intervention on body composition and performance in elite athletes. Eur J
Sport Sci 2013;13 (3): 295-303.
5. Korhonen MT, Marko Haverinen and Hans Degens . Training and
Nutritional Needs of the Masters Sprint Athlete. Ch 16 Nutrition and
Performance in Masters Athletes 291-321; 2014.

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6. Tipton KD, Jeukendrup AE, Hespel P, International Association of
Athletics Federations. Nutrition for sprinters. J Sports Sci. 2007;25 Suppl
1: S5-15.
7. Uth N. Anthropometric Comparison of World-Class Sprinters and Normal
Populations. J Sports Sci Med 2005 Dec; 4 (4): 608 -616.
8. Wardenaar FC. Evaluation of dietary intake and nutritional supplement use
of elite and sub-elite Dutch athletes. Thesis Dutch Sport Nutrition and
Supplement Study 2017.

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