In order to quantify the nutritional status and the feeding pattern of professional
cyclists during continuous competition, food intake was accurately measured and recorded
using the weighed inventory of food (over three 24 h periods) during all meals in
ten top professional cyclists during a real 3 weeks' competition. A 24 h period was
defined as the time between the start of one stage and the next start. The 24 h period
intake of energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate was used to discover whether these
intakes met requirements for endurance exercise. The average intake of energy and
macronutrients was: energy = 23.5 ± 1.8 MJ/24h period, carbohydrate = 841.4 ± 66.2
g/24 h period; protein = 201.8 ± 17.7 g/24h period; and fat = 158.6 ± 16.3g/24h period.
The carbohydrate, protein and fat contribution to energy was 60.0 %, 14.5 %, and 25.5
% respectively. Fluid intake per 24 h period was 3.29 ± 0.941 (1.26 ± 0.55 l during
the race). Our study shows a similar energy intake in comparison with the only previous
study in 1989 but there is a change in the feeding pattern of top level cyclists.
A more important role is given to the intake of carbohydrate just after competitions
together with an increase in protein intake. Both changes could have a positive effect
on performance.
Key Words
Endurance athletes - glycogen repletion - exercise - dietary assessment - fatigue
- carbohydrate - fluid replenishment - protein intake
