Dietary intakes of calcium, iron and vitamin D in club and county female Gaelic footballers

Abstract

Ladies Gaelic Football is recognised as one of the fastest growing female sports in Europe (1). At present, there is a paucity of research exploring the dietary intakes of female Gaelic footballers, and an absence of sport specific nutrition guidelines. Inadequate intakes of calcium and iron are common in females (3) , with inadequate iron intakes previously documented in female team sports (4). Vitamin D insufficiency is also evident in male Gaelic footballers but has yet to be examined in females (5). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate calcium, iron and vitamin D intakes of club and county female Gaelic footballers, and compare them to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) (2). Dietary intakes of club and county level female Gaelic footballers were recorded using three-day food diaries, which also included intakes of dietary supplements. Club (n = 23) and county (n = 26) footballers were recruited from three female Gaelic football teams. Of those recruited initially, food diaries were completed and returned by 78% (n = 18) of club and 74% (n = 19) of county footballers, under-reporting was evident in 22% of participants who were subsequently excluded from analysis. The remaining food diaries (n = 29) were assessed using dietary analysis software to compare micronutrient intakes to RDAs (2) and further analysed using SPSS version 24.

Factors influencing performance and injury risk in elite female Gaelic team sport players and future research directions: a narrative review

“…In addition, reported iron intakes of sub-elite players were significantly lower than elite players (p < 0.05), with no differences in calcium and vitamin D intakes between sub-groups. Interestingly, a minority of elite players (n = 2) in this study met the RDAs for calcium, iron, and vitamin D with the aid of dietary supplements [114]. A recent addition to the literature investigating the sex differences in prevalence of dietary supplement use in elite athletes, participating in individual and team sports reported that supplement use was slightly higher in males than in females however female athletes appeared to consume more iron supplements and supplements intended to improve health [115].…”

“…In Ireland, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is pervasive in athletes, and previous studies have identified a particularly high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in Gaelic footballers [112,113]. To date, there has only been one study (abstract only) that has investigated the dietary intakes of calcium, iron, and vitamin D in subelite (n = 23) and elite (n = 26) female Gaelic footballers [114]. Overall, median intakes of calcium, iron and vitamin D in both sub-elite and elite footballers were lower than the respective recommended daily intake (RDA) [114].…”

“…To date, there has only been one study (abstract only) that has investigated the dietary intakes of calcium, iron, and vitamin D in subelite (n = 23) and elite (n = 26) female Gaelic footballers [114]. Overall, median intakes of calcium, iron and vitamin D in both sub-elite and elite footballers were lower than the respective recommended daily intake (RDA) [114]. In addition, reported iron intakes of sub-elite players were significantly lower than elite players (p < 0.05), with no differences in calcium and vitamin D intakes between sub-groups.…”