ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Limited studies have examined the dietary intake pattern of Malaysian endurance athletes. Differences in the types of foods consumed between Malaysian and Western population leads to varying nutritional intake values. This study aimed to characterise the dietary intake of Malaysian endurance athletes as compared to sports nutrition recommendations, and to determine the associations between participants’ backgrounds and macronutrients intake status. Methods: A total of 85 endurance-trained Malaysian athletes participated in a cross-sectional study. Dietary intake for three days throughout the training season was evaluated using 24-hour dietary recall. The macronutrients and micronutrients intakes were compared to the nutritional recommendation for athletes and the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI), respectively. The food serving size was compared to the Malaysian Food Pyramid 2020. Results: Of all participants, 51% met the minimum recommendations for carbohydrate (CHO) intake (6g/ kg/day). For protein intake, 88% of participants had surpassed the lower limit of 1.2g/kg/day. The lower limit of fat intake (20% of total daily energy intake) was met by 99% of the participants. Most of the participants had a suboptimal intake of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin E, while all had inadequate vitamin D intake. The athletes’ institution was significantly associated with the CHO intake status. Also, the athletes’ institution and the highest education level were significantly associated with the protein intake status. Conclusion: Athletes who practised Asian-based diets were able to achieve the energy, protein, and fat intake recommendations. However, there was a suboptimal intake of the CHO and micronutrients as compared to the recommendations.
ABSTRACT
About a decade ago, carbohydrate mouth rinsing was shown to enhance endurance exercise performance. This improvement was more pronounced in a fasted compared to a fed state, suggesting that the ergogenic effect of carbohydrate mouth rinse is dependent on endogenous carbohydrate storage. Hence, indirectly highlights the potential use of carbohydrate mouth rinse as a potential strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of exercise during Ramadan fasting. To date, only one study has been carried out to explore the potential benefit of carbohydrate mouth rinse on exercise performance during Ramadan fasting. This single observation showed that a 10-km time trial performance was enhanced when performing mouth rinsing with either a carbohydrate or a placebo solution as compared with not performing mouth rinsing. While one study had acknowledged that the practice of mouth rinsing do have a positive effect on exercise performance during Ramadan fasting, future studies is warranted in order to have a better understanding on the underlying mechanisms associated with carbohydrate mouth rinsing during Ramadan fasting
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to examine the influence of sahour meal on exercise performance, and physiological responses to a 10Km Time-Trial [10KTT] at two different times of the day during Ramadan. Three well-trained Muslim runners participated [age, 25 +/- 0.8years; maximal oxygen uptake, 54.87 +/- 3.45 ml.kg-1.min-1; body weight, 52.4 +/- 1.99 kg; height, 162.7 +/- 3.55 cm]. Subjects ran a 10KTT on four occasions: 8.00am [Am], and 5.00pm [Pm], separated by one day rest two weeks before Ramadan [BRam] and during the second week of Ramadan [DRam]. BRam, subjects consumed their usual diet. DRam, subjects consumed a standardized sahour meal containing 5.6 +/- 0.6kcal/kgBW; 2.3 +/- 0.1gCHO/kgBW; 0.6 +/- 0.0g Protein/kgBW; 0.5 +/- 0.0gFat/kgBW. During each 10KTT, the subject ran at 85%VO2max for the first two Km, and then at a self?selected speed then onwards. Blood samples were collected before the run, and at 2, and the end of 10 Km. Time to complete 10KTT were recorded. Urine specific gravity was measured before each run. There was no difference in hydration status for the Am and Pm runs BRam and DRam. Running performance DRamAM, was better compared to the DRamPm. There were also no changes in blood glucose BRam and DRam. Serum Testosterone was highest at the end of 10KTT DRamPm when compared to the DRamAm, and was generally higher than BRam. Serum Cortisol showed no differences between the trials. All runners did not experience dehydration, lack of energy nor drop in performance DRam. The results from this study suggest that when athletes are provided with a balanced sahour meal, during Ramadan, they can maintain their performance
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Accurate yet inexpensive methods for measuring free-living energy expenditure (EE) are much needed. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of heart-rate monitoring method (HRM) in measuring EE as compared to the established activity diary (AD) were used simultaneously in 34 young adults (18 females, 16 males, mean age 21.5 ± 1.5 years). Estimates of the EE from HRM were based on individually measured and published energy cost of various activities. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and its components (EE during sleep, during rest and during physical activity) were compared using Student paired-t tests. Results: TDEE from HRM method averaged 8.17 ± 2.00 MJ/day compared to 8.50 ± 1.28 MJ/day from AD method. Although large intra-individual differences were found (ranging from -36.9% to 47.4%), there was no significant difference between the two methods (mean difference -3.6 ± 19.4%). The limits of agreement (mean ± 2SD) were -3.77 and 3.11 MJ/day. There were no significant differences for any of the TDEE components between the two methods, except for EE during sleep (p<0.05). Conclusion: HRM method was found to be a feasible method for assessment of EE, and was comparable to AD for group assessment of TDEE and its components