Nutritional Habits and Performance in Male Elite Wheelchair Basketball Players During a Precompetitive Period

Physical condition and an optimized diet are relevant to enhance performance and recovery. The diet composition and meal frequency of eleven elite wheelchair basketball players were estimated using a 3-day food-weighing diary in two months during the precompetitive-period. Performance was determined through a 20 m sprint test. The players consumed 4.2 +/- 0.8 meals/day in May and 4.5 +/- 0.9 meals/day in June, resulting in total energy intakes of 2492 +/- 362 kcal/d and 2470 +/- 497 kcal/d, respectively. The macronutrient distribution was 3.8 +/- 1.3 g/kg carbohydrates, 1.7 +/- 0.6 g/kg protein, and 36 +/- 5% of energy derived from fat in May, and 4.2 +/- 1.9 g/kg carbohydrates, 1.5 +/- 0.5 g/kg protein and 32 5% of energy derived from fat in June. The maximum velocity of the sprint test improved from 4.77 +/- 0.31 m/s in May to 5.19 +/- 0.23 m/s in June. Our results revealed carbohydrate intake below and fat intake above recommendations, but improvements of dietary patterns. Further nutritional advice is necessary to ensure health and performance improvements.