Sporcularda Beslenme Alışkanlıklarının Fiziksel Uygunluk Parametreleri Üzerine Etkileri

Abstract

Nutrition is one of the major component of sustainable energy, optimal body composition, improving physical fitness and maintaining good health status in athletes. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of nutritional habits on physical fitness parameters of athletes playing in university teams in different sports branches. Height, body weight of the athletes were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. 12 minute run test, 20 meter sprint test, slalom test, sit ups test, push up test, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUET test), vertical jump test and hand grip strength test (right-left) were applied to the athletes. 72 athletes who participated in the study, 41.7% were female and 58.3% were male. It was found that the majority of athletes (60.0% for women; 66.7% for men) consumed 3-4 meals a day. While the majority of the athletes reported that they skipped meals, the most skipped meal was breakfast (p=0.05). It was observed that the group consuming 5 or more meals covered more distance in standing long jump and vertical jump tests. When the right and left hand grip strength examined, it was shown that the group who consumed 5 or more meals had better performance, but there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). As a result, athletes need different nutritional programs depending on factors such as gender, age, sport, training/competition time. A well nourished athlete will have higher physical fitness and concentration ability and maximum efficiency of the training.