Análise do consumo alimentar e balanço nitrogenado de atletas amadores de handebol em Cuité - PB.

Abstract

Handball is a collective sport characterized by being predominantly aerobic with moments of activation of the anaerobic system, requiring fast and high intensity physical explosive efforts. Therefore, the adequate consumption of proteins and carbohydrates is an important item in the diet to maintain positive nitrogen balance, essential for the development and maintenance of muscle mass. Considering that athletes nutritional needs are distinct from sedentary or moderately active individuals, it is questioned the adequacy of food consumption in relation of the established recommendations. Therefore, the present study evaluated the food consumption of Cuite-PB Handball amateur athletes, aiming know their food and nutritional profile. In addition, the nitrogen balance was analyzed from the urine dosage of 24 hours. The study consisted in a sample of eight athletes, aged between 15 and 17 years. The information of anthropometry indicated that the mean weight, height and fat percentage were 74.54 kg ± 14.05 kg, 1.78 m ± 0.07 m and 13.69% ± 3.04%, respectively. Information about food consumption was obtained using the 24-hour reminder, applied on three alternate days, including weekend. The results of the dietary evaluation, obtained through the program Avanutri®, indicated that athletes eating habits do not contemplate the principle of a balanced diet despite adequate energy consumption (2796 kcal ± 795.2 kcal). Was observed a inadequate intake of carbohydrates compared to the recommendations, with a percentage of 56.70% ± 6.39% of the total energetic value. However, lipid intake shown to be an adequate average (27.65% ± 4.67%). The average protein intake of 1.44 g / kg was sufficient to maintain a positive average nitrogen balance in the sample, however the protein consumption for the adequacy of nitrogen balance should also consider factors such as energy adequacy, sources, quality and timing of protein intake. In this context, the need for individualized nutritional guidance and monitoring is evident in order to adapt the alimentary habits in order to meet the nutritional requirements of the sport and, consequently, to obtain an improvement in sports performance.