Energy intake, Hydration Status, and Sleep of World-Class Male Archers During Competition

Ozcan Esen*, Ian Walshe, Stuart Goodall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Nutritional intake and sleep, play an important role for recovery and performance in elite sport but little work has been undertaken in archery. The present study aimed to assess energy intake (EI), hydration status, and sleep parameters in world-class male archers over the course of a four-day competition. Methods: Results, Conclusions Six male, elite-standard archers participated in the study and measurements of hydration status, EI, competition load, and sleep were recorded throughout each day of competition. Results: Daily energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake ranged between 2,563 and 3,986 kcal, 4 and 7.1 g/kg BM, 2.2 and 3.6 g/kg BM per day, respectively. Thus, archers practiced elements of periodized nutrition such that energy and carbohydrate intake was greater on the high-volume competition days (i.e. days 1 and 3; more numbers of arrows, longer duration, and walking distance) in comparison to low-volume days (days 2 and 4) over the tournament (all p > 0.01). Additionally, urine specific gravity was higher after waking, compared to pre- and post-competition, and before bed (all p < 0.05). This indicates that archers were euhydrated pre- and post-competition and before bedtime, while they were slightly hypohydrated after waking up. Sleep data show that disturbances were kept to a minimum. Conclusions: Collectively, archers appear capable of periodizing their nutritional intake according to daily physical loading during a tournament whilst, staying euhydrated and maintaining sleep quality. In part, such data can help to explain why these archers experience a sustained level of success.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2345358
Pages (from-to)349-361
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Volume21
Issue number1
Early online date6 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 May 2024

Keywords

  • archery
  • carbohydrate
  • fluid
  • sports nutrition
  • Archery

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