NUTRITIONAL PRACTICES OF ELITE FEMALE SURFERS DURING TRAINING AND COMPETITION

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary practices of 10 elite female surfers. Four-and five-day food diaries completed over competit ion and training periods demonstrated energy intakes (mean +/- SD) of 9,468 kJ (+/-2,007) and 8,397 kJ (+/-1,831), respectively. This level of energy intake was less than that estimated for the requirements of surfing. Female surfers' carbohydrate intakes failed to meet the recom mendations, and suboptimal zinc intake was observed with 90% of subjec ts not meeting the Australian RDI. Comparisons between competition and training demonstrated that carbohydrate (g and g/kg body weight) and confectionary (g) intakes were significantly higher (p < .05) and prot ein intake was significantly lower (p < .05) during competition. These results show that although body fat stores were not compromised (mean 22%), self-reported energy, carbohydrate, and nutrient intakes were m arginal in elite female surfers. Questionnaires revealed that 90% of s urfers did not have good nutritional habits while traveling, which was compounded by a lack of knowledge of nutritional practices.