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Competition nutrition strategies of the 2004 Australian Paralympic swimming team
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Competition nutrition strategies of the 2004 Australian Paralympic swimming team

Fiona Pelly, Mark A Holmes, Flavia Traven, Anne H Neller and Brendan J Burkett
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.10(Supplement 1), p.S50
Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport (ACSMS), 2007 (Adelaide, Australia, 13-Oct-2007–16-Oct-2007)
2007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(07)70128-7
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https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(07)70128-7View
Published Version

Abstract

Nutrition and Dietetics nutrition paralympic swimming team athletes
Optimum nutrition is essential for peak performance in elite athletes. However, past research has focussed on developing nutritional strategies for able-bodied athletes, leaving doubt as to whether these guidelines are suitable for the growing number of athletes with disabilities. In this study, members of the 2004 Australian Paralympic swimming team (n=26, 14F, 12M) completed a 31-item self-administered questionnaire about their nutritional strategies before competition. The team included 11 amputees, 7 cerebral palsy, 2 spinal cord injured, 2 vision impaired and 4 Les autres. Most swimmers had received some dietary advice (81%), however only 65% had received advice from a sports dietitian. While 46% of the team commenced their dietary preparation at least 3d before competition (BC), 34% (7F, 2M) commenced 24h BC. During the week BC, 69% of the swimmers reported that they had consumed the same amount of food, with 57% increasing carbohydrate, 76% maintaining protein and 69% decreasing fat. A majority increased water (77%) and sports drinks (54%) consumption BC. Most swimmers (88%) had their last meal 3-4h BC, with 42% consuming high carbohydrate items at this time. In addition, the majority of athletes consumed a high carbohydrate snack (88.5%) within one hour after competition. In contrast, the majority (73%) reported that they had no energy with 69% 'feeling flat' on competition day. The survey findings indicated that the competition dietary strategies adopted by the Paralympic swimmers appeared to follow current recommendations, however strategies varied between individuals and may not have been appropriate for achieving peak performance.

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