Examination of Race Oriented Nutritional Behaviors of Turkish

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the nutritional strategies and post-competition recovery methods applied by Turkish cyclists competing at the international level before, during and after the competition week. A total of 32 athletes, 19 men and 13 women, participated in the research. “Athlete Nutrition Form” was applied to determine nutritional habits and recovery methods. According to the research findings; that athletes have three regular meals; there is a significant difference between those who take their meals regularly and those who do not (P=0.034); 59% of the athletes did not skip meals; It was determined that 71.9% of the athletes took at least one snack in addition to the main meal. On the morning of the competition, 53.1% of the cyclists ate mainly carbohydrates (n=17), 6.3% protein (n=2), and 40.6% mixed diet (n=13); It was determined that 37.5% of the athletes consumed banana (n=12), 50% energy gel (n=16) and 6.3% energy bar (n=2) during the race. It has been revealed that cyclists consume beverages within an average of 48 minutes (±41) and food within an average of 78.5 minutes (±48.6) after the race, and apply different nutritional strategies within 10 minutes of the end of the race. Before the competition, 53.1% of the athletes had a carbohydrate diet (n=17), 18.8% a protein (n=9), 28.1% a mixed diet (n=6); after the race, it was determined that 40.6% of the cyclists had a carbohydrate, 28.1% a mixed and 18.8% a protein-based diet. It has been determined that among these macronutrients consumed after the race, the average of carbohydrates is 241.9 g (±192.9), protein is 46.0 g (±29.1), and fat is 13.3 g (±7). As a result, it has been determined that well-trained male and female cyclists have a carbohydrate-based diet on the morning of the competition, the main meal after the race and the meal 3 hours after the race, they have a mixed diet one day after the competition. It is thought that the results will be beneficial for athletes who want to do this sport at a high level and for sports workers such as trainers and dietitians who want to gain nutritional information.