Nutritional survey of highly trained women runners

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 954 - 962
• Main Authors: Deuster, PA, Kyle, SB, Moser, PB, Vigersky, RA, Singh, A, Schoomaker, EB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01-12-1986; American Society for Clinical Nutrition
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; CALCIO; CALCIUM; Calcium, Dietary - administration & dosage; CINC; COMPOSICION DE LA SA; COMPOSITION DU; Copper - administration & dosage; Energy Intake; Female; FEMME; FER; HIERRO; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; INGESTION DE ALIMENTOS; iron; Iron - administration & dosage; kcalories; MAGNESIO; MAGNESIUM; Magnesium - administration & dosage; Medical sciences; MUJERES; NAABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES; NUTRICION; NUTRITION; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status; Nutritional survey. Food supply and nutritional requirement; Physical Education and Training; PRISE ALIMENTAIRE; r)ABSORCION DE SUBSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; Running; serum ferritin; ZINC; Zinc - administration & dosage; iron; magnesium; kcalories; serum ferritin; Calcium; zinc; Human; Physical exercise; Nutrient requirement; Cations; Woman; Inorganic element; Running locomotion; Feeding
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/44.6.954

Mean daily intakes from 3-day dietary records for calories, energy-providing nutrients, and selected minerals were calculated for 51 highly trained women runners. Selected blood constituents relating to mineral status were also measured. Intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper were above the amounts recommended by the National Research Council whereas zinc intake was below the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Caloric intakes, although above the RDA for sedentary women, appeared low for women running 10 miles/day. Concentrations of serum ferritin and plasma zinc were indicative of marginal iron and zinc status in many of the women. Whether the nutrient content of the diets consumed by these women is adequate relative to energy output or whether training lowers nutrient requirements by enhancing metabolic efficiency will require further investigation.