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Competition Level Not Associated With Diet Quality in Marching Artists
Colleen McConnell1, Alyssa McPherson2, Kathleen Woolf1
11 NYU Steinhardt.
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
|October 17, 2017
Summary
Marching artists have high physical demands but suboptimal diets. Elite performers reported higher activity and less meal skipping, yet diet quality did not differ between elite and non-elite groups.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Marching artists face significant physical demands requiring adequate nutrition.
- Understanding the relationship between diet quality, physical activity, and eating behaviors is crucial for this athletic population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine diet quality, physical activity, and eating behaviors of marching artists.
- To compare these factors between elite (Drum Corps International) and non-elite competition levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis utilizing the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire II, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Eating Behavior Patterns Questionnaire.
- Diet quality assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square and independent sample t-tests.
Main Results:
- Elite marching artists (DCI members) reported higher physical activity and fewer instances of meal skipping compared to non-elite participants.
- No significant difference in overall diet quality (mean HEI score) was observed between elite and non-elite groups.
- A very low percentage of participants met recommendations for whole grains, sodium restriction, and empty calorie limits.
Conclusions:
- Marching artists exhibit suboptimal diet quality despite high physical activity levels.
- Interventions are needed to improve nutritional intake and eating behaviors in this unique athletic group.
- Further research should focus on targeted nutritional strategies for marching artists.