Dietary Intake and Energy Expenditure During Two Different Phases of Athletic Training in Female Collegiate Lacrosse Players

Abstract

Kumahara, H, Ohta, C, Nabeshima, E, Nakayama, A, Mine, S, and Yamato, T. Dietary intake and energy expenditure during two different phases of athletic training in female collegiate lacrosse players. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1547-1554, 2020-This study aims to investigate the state of nutrient intake and energy expenditure (EE) among various phases of periodization in female collegiate lacrosse players. A total of 17 Japanese female collegiate lacrosse players (age: 20.0 ± 0.9 years) were enrolled in this study. Physical activity (PA) and dietary intake were assessed over each 1-week period during the training preparatory phase (P-phase) and transition phase (T-phase). The exercise training-related EE (EEE) and EE associated with other daily living activities (i.e., nonexercise activity thermogenesis [NEAT]), were measured using accelerometers and heart rate (HR) monitoring using the flex-HR method. The total daily EE during the P-phase was significantly higher than that of the T-phase (2,168 ± 248 vs. 1744 ± 138 kcal·d; p < 0.01); however, no significant differences were observed in the total energy intake. Moreover, EEE during the P-phase was significantly higher than that of the T-phase, whereas no significant difference was found in NEAT. Furthermore, no significant differences were noted in any macronutrient intake variable observed between the 2 phases (protein:fat:carbohydrate ratio: 12.6 ± 1.5:32.9 ± 3.9:54.1 ± 5.1% in the P-phase vs. 12.1 ± 1.7:30.7 ± 3.9:55.7 ± 5.2% in the T-phase). The carbohydrate and protein intake were below recommended levels during the P-phase. Conversely, the saturated fatty acid ratio was higher than the dietary goals for disease prevention. Based on the changes in the PA volume observed during different training phases, female collegiate lacrosse players did not attain optimal nutrient intake required for optimal athletic performance and health.