Sex Differences in Supplement Intake in Recreational Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

Wirnitzer, Katharina; Motevalli, Mohamad; Tanous, Derrick; Gregori, Martina; Wirnitzer, Gerold; Leitzmann, Claus; Rosemann, Thomas; Knechtle, Beat

doi:10.3390/nu13082776

Cited by 20 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Nutrient/nutritional concerns might be more critical for endurance athletes who are known to have a higher risk of low energy availability [46], such as those who follow specific kinds of diets (e.g., plant-based diets) and particularly when the diet is not appropriately planned [47]. Findings from our laboratory indicate that vegan runners have a higher intake of dietary supplements to meet their nutritional requirements [48], without sex-specific association [49]. At the same time, it has also been shown that dietary needs can be translated appropriately to a well-planned personalized diet and even ultra-endurance challenges (e.g., mountain bike race) can be successfully completed following a vegan diet [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Training and Racing Behaviors of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1)

et al. 2021

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As a key modulator of training adaptations and racing performance, nutrition plays a critical role in endurance runners’ success, and the training/racing behaviors of runners are potentially affected by their diet types. The present study aimed to investigate whether distance runners with a vegan diet (i.e., devoid of foods or ingredients from animal sources), vegetarian diet (i.e., devoid of meat and flesh foods), and omnivorous diet (i.e., a mixed diet with no restriction on food sources) have different training and racing patterns in general and based on race distance subgroups. A total of 3835 recreational runners completed an online survey. Runners were assigned to dietary (omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan) and race distance (<21 km, half-marathon, and marathon/ultra-marathon) groups. In addition to sociodemographic information, a complete profile of data sets focusing on running and racing behaviors/patterns was evaluated using a questionnaire-based epidemiological approach. There were 1272 omnivores (47% females), 598 vegetarians (64% females), and 994 vegans (65% females). Compared to vegans and vegetarians, omnivorous runners prepared for a longer time period for running events, had a higher number of half-marathons and marathons completed with a better finish time, and had more reliance on training under supervision (p < 0.05). The present findings indicate an important association of diet types with patterns of training and racing amongst endurance runners that may be related to different motives of omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan runners for participating in events.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Training and Racing Behaviors of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1)

et al. 2021

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“…Reports from national dietary investigations on general populations of D-A-CH countries (including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; home of the majority of participants) also show that sex is a remarkable contributor to dietary intake/patterns [64][65][66][67]. Dietary-related sex differences in endurance runners, however, cannot only be attributed to the patterns of supplement intake, as previously reported by the "NURMI Study" [68].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Female Endurance Runners Have a Healthier Diet than Males—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

et al. 2022

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Sex has been recognized to be an important indicator of physiological, psychological, and nutritional characteristics among endurance athletes. However, there are limited data addressing sex-based differences in dietary behaviors of distance runners. The aim of the present study is to explore the sex-specific differences in dietary intake of female and male distance runners competing at >10-km distances. From the initial number of 317 participants, 211 endurance runners (121 females and 90 males) were selected as the final sample after a multi-level data clearance. Participants were classified to race distance (10-km, half-marathon, marathon/ultra-marathon) and type of diet (omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan) subgroups. An online survey was conducted to collect data on sociodemographic information and dietary intake (using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire with 53 food groups categorized in 14 basic and three umbrella food clusters). Compared to male runners, female runners had a significantly greater intake in four food clusters, including “beans and seeds”, “fruit and vegetables”, “dairy alternatives”, and “water”. Males reported higher intakes of seven food clusters, including “meat”, “fish”, “eggs”, “oils”, “grains”, “alcohol”, and “processed foods”. Generally, it can be suggested that female runners have a tendency to consume healthier foods than males. The predominance of females with healthy dietary behavior can be potentially linked to the well-known differences between females and males in health attitudes and lifestyle patterns.

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“…Compared with the highest rate of supplement intake reported by half-marathoners (16%), a recent study reported that 30% of female and 40.2% of male endurance runners consume supplements in order to enhance performance 72 . Although few studies have yet compared different groups of endurance runners regarding the patterns of supplement intake 73 , it has been well-documented that endurance athletes use supplements to a greater extent than non-endurance athletes 74 , probably due to the higher exercise-induced nutritional requirements associated with long-time training, competition, and recovery 75 . Reports from a recent study on elite track and field athletes indicated that distance runners have a significantly higher prevalence in supplemental micronutrient but not macronutrient intake when compared to runners in other track and field disciplines 76 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health status of recreational runners over 10-km up to ultra-marathon distance based on data of the NURMI Study Step 2

Wirnitzer

Boldt

Wirnitzer³

et al. 2022

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Endurance running is well-documented to affect health beneficially. However, data are still conflicting in terms of which race distance is associated with the maximum health effects to be obtained. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the health status of endurance runners over different race distances. A total of 245 recreational runners (141 females, 104 males) completed an online survey. Health status was assessed by measuring eight dimensions in two clusters of health-related indicators (e.g., body weight, mental health, chronic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions, medication intake) and health-related behaviors (e.g., smoking habits, supplement intake, food choice, healthcare utilization). Each dimension consisted of analytical parameters derived to a general domain score between 0 and 1. Data analysis was performed by using non-parametric ANOVA and MANOVA. There were 89 half-marathon (HM), 65 marathon/ultra-marathon (M/UM), and 91 10-km runners. 10-km runners were leaner than both the HM and M/UM runners (p ≤ 0.05). HM runners had higher health scores for six dimensions (body weight, mental health, chronic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions, medication intake, smoking habits, and health care utilization), which contributed to an average score of 77.1% (score range 62–88%) for their overall state of health. Whereas 10-km and M/UM runners had lesser but similar average scores in the overall state of health (71.7% and 72%, respectively). Race distance had a significant association with the dimension “chronic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions” (p ≤ 0.05). Despite the null significant associations between race distance and seven (out of eight) multi-item health dimensions, a tendency towards better health status (assessed by domain scores of health) among HM runners was found compared to other distance runners. However, the optimal state of health across all race distances supported the notion that endurance running contributed to overall health and well-being.Trial registration number: ISRCTN73074080. Retrospectively registered 12th June 2015.

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Sex Differences in Supplement Intake in Recreational Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

Cited by 20 publications

References 85 publications

Training and Racing Behaviors of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1)

Training and Racing Behaviors of Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1)

Female Endurance Runners Have a Healthier Diet than Males—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

Health status of recreational runners over 10-km up to ultra-marathon distance based on data of the NURMI Study Step 2

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