Nutritional parameters of female Rugby athletes
Abstract
Nutrition plays a crucial role for young athletes, as during this phase, adequate energy intake is necessary to meet the demands for growth and development, as well as the physical activity requirements. Given that improper nutrition can lead to various health issues, including an increased risk of injuries, the present study aimed to assess the nutritional parameters in female rugby athletes. This is a descriptive observational study, with a sample consisting of 9 female rugby athletes. To analyze the nutritional parameters, a physical evaluation of the athletes was conducted (weight, height, circumferences, skinfolds, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage), and data on their dietary profile were collected through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The average weight was 57.19 ± 9.48 kg, with an average height of 1.59 ± 0.038 meters. The average body fat percentage was 24.68 ± 5.62%, with half of the sample classified as having a body fat percentage above normal. Considering the height-for-age index, all athletes were classified as having adequate height for their age. Regarding the BMI-for-age index, most were classified as eutrophic. Although the athletes reported low consumption of foods considered unhealthy, the intake of healthy foods appears to be insufficient. More nutritional education actions are needed to raise awareness among athletes in this age group, considering that habits and learnings during adolescence influence behavior in many aspects throughout life.
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