A Systematic Review of the Effects of Nutrient Intake in Handball Players on Exercise Performance

Abstract

Introduction: Modern handball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1972 and is played by more than 19 million people worldwide. Beach handball was born as an adaptation of court handball in the 1990s. Both modalities are complex and multifactorial ball games characterised by a fast pace and variable game intensities, as well as the strong influence of tactical concepts, social factors and cognitive aspects. Objective: To analyse the nutritional status of both male and female players to assess whether it is in line with specific and general dietary intake demands. Methodology: A systematic search of databases was carried out using keywords with relevant Boolean operators. Results: A total of 468 studies was identified, of which 44 studies were included: 7 on hydration; 22 studies related to energy, macronutrient and fibre intake; 23 that assessed micronutrients; 4 studies on nutritional knowledge and information sources; and 2 articles on eating disorders. A further 85 articles were included in order to cross-check results. Discussion: The need for a state of euhydration and normal plasma electrolyte levels is clear. Adequate energy intake is the cornerstone of the handball athlete’s diet to support optimal body function. The ACSM sets daily recommendations of 6–10 g CHO/kg body weight for handball, and daily protein recommendations range from 1.2 to 2.0 g PRO/kg/day and 14 g dietary fibre per 1000 kcal. Conclusion: The nutritional habits of handball players do not seem to be adequate to the demands of the sport, although these demands are not clarified. The inclusion of nutrition professionals could be a key element in the performance of these athletes.

Dietary habits in adolescent male and female handball players: the Swedish Handball Cohort

“…Excluding foods due to other reasons than an intolerance might make it even more difficult to meet the substantial requirements in an already vulnerable group at risk of inadequate intakes. [14][15][16] Females reported lower frequency of all meals, higher prevalence of food exclusions, higher intake of fruits/vegetables and use of micronutrient supplements compared with males. The lower intake of fruits and vegetables in males has earlier been reported, 17 21 although both males and females overall failed to meet the NNR in this study.…”

“…Adherence to special diets to prevent gastrointestinal distress by excluding groups of carbohydrates has previously been reported in athletes34 35 but was not observed in this study. Excluding foods due to other reasons than an intolerance might make it even more difficult to meet the substantial requirements in an already vulnerable group at risk of inadequate intakes 14–16…”

“…Excluding foods due to other reasons than an intolerance might make it even more difficult to meet the substantial requirements in an already vulnerable group at risk of inadequate intakes. 14–16 …”

“…13 Adult handball players have been reported to not meet nutrition recommendations. [14][15][16][17] Studies on adolescent handball players' dietary habits are scarce and no previous studies have, to the best of our knowledge, examined differences with respect to sex and age. This study aimed to describe dietary habits in Swedish adolescent handball players and differences with respect to sex and school grade.…”

“…The sport’s intermittent nature with alternation between offensive and defensive elements12 impose demands on anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, in which glycogen is the main energy substrate 13. Adult handball players have been reported to not meet nutrition recommendations 14–17. Studies on adolescent handball players’ dietary habits are scarce and no previous studies have, to the best of our knowledge, examined differences with respect to sex and age.…”