Paula J. Ziegler, PhD, RD, Satya S. Jonnalagadda, PhD, RD, Judy A. Nelson, MS, Corrinna Lawrence, BS, and

Brandy Baciak, MS, RD

Presented byCourtney Dillon

February 17, 2011

• Figure skating is a highly competitive and physically demanding sport which requires a special diet and lean physique.

• Past studies have shown this population suffers from compromised health due to inadequate nutrient intake.

• Purpose: To examine the contribution of daily meals to the macro/micronutrient intake of elite figure skaters during their competition season.

• Hypothesis: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will contribute equally to the macro/micronutrient intake of the elite figure skaters.

Subjects◦ n= 94 (46 males, 48 females) competitors in the 1999 USFSA

National Championships Dietary Intake

◦ Three-day food records were collected 2 weeks prior to the competition. Two non-consecutive weekdays and one weekend day

Anthropometric Measurements◦ Height and weight were measured prior to daily exercise and food

consumption. Data Analysis

◦ SPSS◦ Mean +/- SE◦ Intake was tested using the general linear model.

• Mean BMI: 21.2 (males) and 18.5 (females)• Based on the dietary measurements, it appears the figure skaters meet the macronutrient recommendations• Diet Composition• Males: High CHO, AA, Sat TAG, Tchol• Females: Low TAG, Tchol, fiber• Neither met all micronutrient requirements (folate, Fe, Ca)

• Limitations• Use of food records as dietary measurements• Small sample size• Length of study• Self-reported data• Cannot be certain all dietary needs are being met

• What was learned • Consistent meal patterns may have a significant effect on micro/macronutrient consumption in athletes.• Individuals working with athletes may need to provide tips for preparing meals that can be consumed on the run, which will meet their energy needs during training and performance.• Athletes should be encouraged to consume more frequent meals and to distribute their energy intake between the meals based on their activity schedules