Scientific Study

Introduction: There is a scarcity of information about the dietary intake and food selection of combat sport people. Optimizing nutritional status; body weight; and body composition are key factors for their performance. Aim: The assessment of dietary intake; food habits; and body composition in elite combat sport people. Subjects and methods: 22 sportmen were recruited from the Spanish National Teams of Taekwondo; Judo; and Boxing. Food intake (FFQ); food habits and bodycomposition (DXA and Bioimpedance) were analyzed. Results and discussion: Weight and body composition of the individuals assessed were similar to that previously described; although almost half of them were moderately over their desired competition weight. A lower than the recommended intake of vegetables (77% of individuals); cereals; bread; rice; potatoes; and pasta (73%); while red meat and derivatives intake exceeded the recommendations. Their main preferences were pasta; meat; and cereals. Legumes; vegetables; and fish were their main dislikes. A statistically significant relationship between food preferences and intakes was only observed for legumes; yogurt; and nuts. The athletes reported that reducing the intake of biscuits and confectionery (68% of individuals); high-fat foods (36%); and/or bread (27%) would be a good dietetic strategy for losing weight. None of them reported that voluntary dehydration would be a good strategy for this purpose. Conclusions: food offer to which this sport people have access and their choices are adequate; although the intake of some food groups (vegetables; red meat and derivatives) does not follow the recommendations. Their body weight slightly exceeds their competition weight; what it is frequently found in these sports. Nevertheless; their knowledge about nutrition and dietetics applied to exercise are acceptable.