Multidimensional Differences Between Athletes of Endurance, Strength, and Intermittent Sports: Body Composition, Diet, Resting Metabolic Rate, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Sports performance is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors, which differ across disciplines. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the distinct multidimensional profiles (i.e., body composition, diet, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, sleep quality, and subjective well-being) of athletes from different sports disciplines (i.e., endurance, strength, and intermittent sports). Methods: This study included 77 athletes (28 women) classified as endurance (n = 40), strength (n = 12), or intermittent (n = 25). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance, and anthropometry, diet was determined using dietary recalls, resting metabolic rate was assessed by indirect calorimetry, physical activity and sleep quality were determined by a wrist-worn accelerometer, and subjective well-being was determined through validated questionnaires. Results: Strength and intermittent athletes had greater body weight, lean mass, and bone parameters than endurance athletes, whereas intermittent athletes showed higher adiposity than endurance levels (all p ≤ 0.008). The endurance group did not exhibit a higher intake of fats or proteins compared to the strength and intermittent groups; however, it did demonstrate a higher consumption of carbohydrates (p ≤ 0.016). No differences were observed in resting metabolic rate, sleep quality, and subjective well-being, though endurance athletes demonstrated higher levels of vigorous physical activity than strength athletes (p = 0.014). Conclusions: In conclusion, we reveal a distinct physiological phenotype between strength, intermittent, and endurance athletes in terms of body composition, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored training and nutrition protocols depending on the sports discipline.

Keywords: conditioning; energy; energy expenditure; fat mass; fat-free mass; macronutrients; nutrition; recovery.

Figure 1

Differences in body composition between endurance, strength, and intermittent sports athletes. Differences in body weight (A), adiposity (B–D), lean mass index (E), adipose to muscle index (F), sum of skinfolds (G,H), muscle to bone index (I), bone parameters (J–L), somatotype (M–O), and phase angle (P). Data represent mean and standard deviation. p values and η² obtained from one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bold p values and η² represent statistically significant p values. Symbols mean statistically significant differences between groups after post hoc Bonferroni correction (* = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001). Abbreviations: BMD, bone mineral density; FMI, fat mass index; LMI, lean mass index; VAT, visceral adipose tissue.

Figure 2

Differences in dietary intake between endurance, strength, and intermittent sports athletes. Differences in energy intake (A), energy availability (B), fat intake (C,D), protein intake (E,F), and carbohydrate intake (G,H). Data represent mean and standard deviation. p values and η² obtained from one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bold p values and η² represent statistically significant p values. Symbols mean statistically significant differences between groups after post hoc Bonferroni correction (* = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01). Abbreviations: BW, body weight; EA, energy availability; FFM, fat-free mass.

Figure 3

Differences in resting metabolic rate (A) and handgrip (B) between endurance, strength, and intermittent sports athletes. Resting metabolic rate and handgrip strength were relativized to lean mass. Data represent mean and standard deviation. p values and η² obtained from one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Abbreviations: LM, lean mass; RMR, resting metabolic rate.

Figure 4

Differences in physical activity and sleep quality between endurance, strength, and intermittent sports athletes. Differences in sedentary behaviour (A), physical activity (B–D), steps (E), cadence peak (F,G), time of MVPA based in cadence (H), sleep duration (I), and quality (J–L). Data represent mean and standard deviation. p values and η² obtained from one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bold p values and η² represent statistically significant p values. Symbols mean statistically significant differences between groups after post hoc Bonferroni correction (* = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01). Abbreviations: MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; WASO, wake after sleep onset.