Christine A. Rosenbloom

Dietary intake of female U.S. soccer players.

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the dietary intake of female soccer players from the Under-21 (U-21) United States women’s national soccer team. Participants completed three-day food records and a medical history questionnaire. The female soccer players reported an energy intake of 34 kcal/kg body weight (total 2015 kcal/day). The contribution of protein, fat and carbohydrate to total energy intake were 15%, 30% and 55%, respectively. Dietary intakes of vitamins D and E were less than two-thirds of the recommendations and intake of all minerals was greater than two-thirds of the recommendations. The self-reported health status suggests that this was a healthy group of female athletes. Responses to the nutrition attitude questions suggest that these athletes may benefit from appropriate education regarding the role of nutrients in health and performance. In summary, results of this pilot study suggest that these young female soccer players should be encouraged to eat small, high carbohydrate nutrient dense meals, frequently throughout the day, and they should be provided with appropriate nutrition counseling.

Special populations: The female player and the youth player

Abstract Females and youth are frequently described as “special” populations in football literature, but together these two populations outnumber male players. What makes females “special” is that they tend to eat less when training and competing than their male counterparts, leading to lower intakes of energy, carbohydrate, and some nutrients. Youth football players are special in regard to energy and nutrient requirements to promote growth and development, as well as to fuel sport. There is limited research on the dietary habits of these two populations, but the available literature suggests that many female and youth players need to increase carbohydrate intake, increase fluid intake, and develop dietary habits to sustain the demands of training and competition.

Body Measurements of Black and White Elderly Persons with Emphasis on Body Composition

The measurements obtained on 103 male and female subjects, 60-103 years of age, who were participants in a community nutrition program, included weight, height, knee height, body mass index, triceps skinfold, midarm circumference, midarm muscle area, total body fat, total body water, and lean body mass. Over the 43-year range of this cross-sectional study, 78% of body weight loss in men and 51% in women was attributable to lean tissue, while fat tissue accounted for 22% of weight loss in men and 53% in women. Analysis of variance of the measured values over the age interval showed trends that were not statistically significant among males, but females showed significant decreases in weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold, midarm muscle area, total body fat (% and lb), total body water (l), and lean body mass; also, a significant increase in total body water (%) was observed in females. Ethnic differences among the parameters included higher triceps skinfold in white than in black males and larger knee height and midarm circumference in white than in black females. Comparison of parameters by gender within each ethnic group showed larger body weight and midarm muscle area in white males than in white females; triceps skinfold was larger in black females than in black males. t tests indicated that subjects who received home-delivered meals had significantly smaller mean body weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold, midarm circumference and total body fat (% and lb) than those who came to a senior center for the noon meal. Elderly who lived alone had a higher total body fat (%) than those who lived with other(s). In females, significant correlation coefficients (r) were shown by weight, total body water (l), and lean body mass with all parameters. The weakest r values in females were those for height and for triceps skinfold with other parameters. In males, there was no single parameter that correlated with all others; triceps skinfold correlated with none. The strongest correlations in the male were for weight with total body water and with lean body mass, and for midarm circumference with midarm muscle area.

A Comparison of Functional Outcomes Following a Physical Activity Intervention for Frail Older Adults in Personal Care Homes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of 2 consecutive 10‐week exercise interventions for increasing functional ability of residents living in personal care homes (PCHs). Methods: Residents in 2 intervention homes (n = 15) participated in a series of exercise classes followed by a walking program. Residents living in 2 PCHs matched for demographic and environmental variables served as controls (n = 15). Pre‐ and post‐test measures (0 weeks and 21 weeks) included the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the Tinetti Performance‐Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), and the Functional Reach Test (FRT). A General Linear Model was used to analyze group (control vs. intervention) by time (0 vs. 21 weeks) interactions as well as changes over time within the intervention group (0 vs. 10 vs. 21 weeks). Results: In comparing the 2 groups at the beginning and end of the intervention, the POMA Balance Subscale showed significant improvement (p = .04) for the intervention group. Within the intervention group, scores of the MBI and POMA increased after the 10‐week exercise class series, then declined exhibiting a significant quadratic relationship (p = .03). Conclusions: It is likely that without the intervention, the gradual decline noted in the control group would have occurred in the intervention group as well. Given that older adults who live in PCHs often experience declines in their activities of daily living (ADL) and independent activities of daily living (IADL) performance, it is critical that physical activity programs be available to residents to mitigate and/or reverse these declines.

Risky Business: Dietary Supplement Use by Athletes

Sports nutrition supplements tempt athletes with promises of sleek, powerful bodies produced by pills, potions, and powders. However, many supplements are risky for athletes because an estimated 5% to 20% contain prohibited substances and unlabeled pharmaceuticals. Dietary supplements considered most at risk of containing unlabeled drugs and prohibited substances include those for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and muscle building. Sports governing bodies have banned or prohibited certain substances for athletes competing in all levels of sports; high school, college, elite, professional, and master athletes can all be tested. The banned ingredients can be in products unintentionally, due to poor hygiene in producing the supplement, or intentionally by the purposeful addition of unlabeled substances, such as anabolic steroids. Regardless of how the prohibited ingredient found its way into a dietary supplement, all sports organizations have a “strict liability” policy; that is, athletes are responsible for anything they put in their bodies, including dietary supplements. This article examines the issue of sports supplement contamination and provides athletes with resources to evaluate risky dietary supplements.

Fundamentals of glycogen metabolism for coaches and athletes

Abstract The ability of athletes to train day after day depends in large part on adequate restoration of muscle glycogen stores, a process that requires the consumption of sufficient dietary carbohydrates and ample time. Providing effective guidance to athletes and others wishing to enhance training adaptations and improve performance requires an understanding of the normal variations in muscle glycogen content in response to training and diet; the time required for adequate restoration of glycogen stores; the influence of the amount, type, and timing of carbohydrate intake on glycogen resynthesis; and the impact of other nutrients on glycogenesis. This review highlights the practical implications of the latest research related to glycogen metabolism in physically active individuals to help sports dietitians, coaches, personal trainers, and other sports health professionals gain a fundamental understanding of glycogen metabolism, as well as related practical applications for enhancing training adaptations and preparing for competition.

Sports Nutrition Myths That Deserve to Die but Live On

Sports nutrition research and the practical applications of the research are ever changing and evolving. However, some myths remain widespread in the athletic community. Coaches, trainers, and athletes often cling to outdated information, which can harm performance and health. Three sports nutrition myths that are addressed in this article surround carbohydrate intake before exercise, treatment for muscle cramps, and quantity of dietary protein needed to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.Each myth will be given historical context, and this article showcases newer research to dispel the myth. Moreover, for each myth, a researcher with expertise in the content area will provide the “bottom line” for practitioners for communicating to athletes.

Youth Athletes: Nourishing Young Bodies and Minds

Youth participation in individual and team sports is high, yet little is known about the nutritional needs of children or adolescents who compete in sports. Parents and volunteer coaches are responsible for nutrition and hydration advice for youth athletes and it can be woefully incorrect. There are no predictive equations for energy needs, and research on protein intake for muscle growth and repair is conducted on adults. Currently, the best we can do is adapt nutrition guidelines for adults to young athletes, using growth and development as a guide for monitoring success with the implementation of nutrition strategies. Hydration strategies are critical for young athletes as heat illnesses occur more frequently in this group compared with adults. Young athletes are not immune to messages on enhancing muscle development, and use of performanceenhancing substances is higher than previously thought. Strategies for nutrition education for young athletes are included, basedonpsychosocial development. Nutr Today. 2016;51(5):221Y227

What’s New in Sports Nutrition Recovery?: A Closer Look at the Evidence for Tart Cherry Juice and Blueberry Juice for Recovery

Athletes seeking to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after exercise often use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although sold over the counter for many years, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not without health risks, especially when taken in large doses for long periods. Could polyphenolic-rich cherry or blueberry juice be a natural way to speed recovery without drug side effects? This article examines the evidence for using tart cherry juice and blueberry juice as a nutritional recovery strategy after strenuous exercise. Researchers have found modest benefits for tart cherry juice for pain reduction, relief for muscle soreness, and muscle inflammation after exercise. Although blueberry juice has similar chemical properties as tart cherry juice, the evidence supporting it as a recovery drink is limited at this time. Consuming cherry or blueberry juice is not harmful and may have some positive benefits for recovery and for increasing fruit consumption in athletes and active people.