The aim of the present study is to analyse nutritional supplements (NS) consumption by squash players of different levels (international vs. national). A total of 14 international players and 28 national ones answered a NS consumption frequency questionnaire that had been previously validated. A T-Student test was used for independent samples and a χ2 test was used in the comparative analysis among athletes of different levels. International level players consume NS in greater proportion vs. national level players (100% vs. 67.9% p = 0.017), with differences in the consumption of bicarbonate of soda, glutamine, branched-chain amino acids, and flaxseed oil (p < 0.05). Even though international level athletes show a greater total number of NS, as well as of the total of NS of each of the categories based on scientific evidence level (sports food, medical supplements, and ergogenic aids of groups A, B, C, and D) in relation to the national level athletes, no statistically significant differences were detected (p > 0.05). With regard to nutritional advice, there are also differences among performance levels (p = 0.003), being personal trainers (28.6%) and dietitians-nutritionists (21.4%) the greatest prescribers when it comes to international-level players, whereas 55.6% of the national-level players do not receive nutritional advice. The pattern of NS consumption, based on evidence level, is unbalanced and its performance could be favored if the dietitian-nutritionist were included as a nutritional advisor for these athletes.

Background: Squash is one of the four most popular racquet sports, practiced by 20 million people worldwide. It is a sport that has been scarcely researched in the area of nutrition, and even less so regarding the dietary habits of its players. The objective of this work is to perform a descriptive and comparative analysis of dietary habits in squash players at the national and international levels. Methodology: A total of 14 international and 28 national players answered a validated food consumption frequency questionnaire. We used a Student´s t-test for independent samples and a χ2 test in the comparative analysis of players of different levels. Results: The results show that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups of players in the consumption of bread (p = 0.016) and nuts (p = 0.008), with a tendency towards statistical significance for eggs (p = 0.064), blue fish (p = 0.057), and white meat (p = 0.069), which the international players consumed with a higher frequency. There were no significant differences in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, or pulses. The two groups had a similar consumption of potatoes, pasta, rice, juices and soft drinks, sweets and snacks, white fish, and red meat. Conclusions: Although it was not possible to estimate the intake and percentage of macronutrients, a possible deficit of carbohydrates and an excess of proteins can be deduced in both groups. In addition, these players do not usually seek advice from dieticians-nutritionists, so the involvement of these professionals in the coaching staff of squash players could improve athletic performance.