NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF THE FINNISH ELITE SKI JUMPERS

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of Finnish elite male ski jumpers (N = 21) and ape-matched controls ( N = 70). Methods: Nutritional status was assessed by estimating body c omposition with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), dietary intake with 4-d food records, and assessment of nutritional status was compl emented with biochemical and hematological indices. Results: Mean (SD) age (19.7 (3.6) vs 19.8 (3.9) yr, P = 0.675) and stature (176.4 (6.0) vs 178.5 (5.5) cm, P = 0.259) were similar in ski jumpers and in cont rols, respectively. However, ski jumpers had a lower mean (SD) body we ight (61.9 (4.8) vs 71.5 (9.0) kg, P < 0.001) and body fat percentage (8.6 (1.9) vs 16.1 (7.2) %, P < 0.001) than controls. The amount of bo ne-free lean soft tissue and bone mineral content: (BMC) did not diffe r between the groups, but age- and bone-free lean soft tissue-adjusted bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine (L2-4) and in proximal fem ur was greater in ski jumpers. Mean (SD) energy intake was lower in sk i jumpers than in controls (7.4 (3.3) vs 11.0 (2.6) MJ, P = 0.001), re spectively, whereas the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrate s was higher in athletes. Despite the markedly lower energy consumptio n, intake of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, calcium, and iron was similar in both groups, whereas intake of vitamins D and E, magne sium, and zinc was lower in ski jumpers than in controls (P-values ran ge from 0.012 to 0.004). Biochemical and hematological indices showed no abnormalities in either group. Conclusions: These data suggest that despite the lower body weight and energy intake, nutritional status o f the elite Finnish ski jumpers was not compromised as compared with t hat of nonathletic controls.