Nutritional awareness and habits of Premier league sportsmen in the Sarajevo Canton

Abstract

Introduction: Selection of optimal nutrition for physical activity of sportsmen depends on several factors, and includes the type and duration of exercises, total energy consumption, time needed for recovery, and nutritional preferences. Proper nutrition of sportsmen relies on adequate combination and participation of all the macronutrients. The aim of this research was to analyse and determine the nutritional awareness and habits of sportsmen depending on their age and type of sports they indulge. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study undertaken from May to July 2011 on the sample of 100 examinees/sportsmen of the Football Club "Zeljeznicar" and Basketball Club "Bosna". Results: General awareness of sportsmen on basic principles of proper nutrition is unsatisfactory. Statistical significance per type of sport and age of sportsmen is proved through representation of macronutrients in their nutrition. For 49.1% footballers and 52% sportsmen over 19 years of age the most important combination of macronutrients resembles the model of carbohydrates-proteins-fats, while 48.9% of basketballers and sportsmen under 18 prefer proteins-carbohydrates-fats. The study had shown a statistically significant difference (p=0.01) between the footballers and basketballers with regard to the type of meal they consume before the trainings. Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge on the subject reflects in bad nutritional habits, especially those related to the number and arrangement of daily meals in comparison to respective sports activities.