Advisory Committee Chair
Eric P Plaisance
Advisory Committee Members
Gordon Fisher
Jenna M Lachanaye
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2017
Degree Name by School
Master of Science (MS) School of Education
Abstract
Nutrition plays an invaluable role in the ability of an athlete to perform at an optimal level. Numerous studies have provided considerable information regarding the amounts of various macronutrients thought to maximize body composition and performance. However, few studies have explored macronutrient intake frequencies, in particular protein, and the impact feeding frequency may have on body composition and performance. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between protein frequency and body composition in collegiate female soccer players. Participants completed food and activity logs over a three-day period along with a nutrition history form. Relationships between the number of protein instances ≥ 15 g and total protein intake was compared to fat mass and muscle mass determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Twenty-four hour energy net average was -120.6 ± 507.0 kcals indicating that the participants were primarily in energy balance. All participants met recommendations for total protein intake (1.2 – 1.7 g/kg body weight), but the frequency of protein intake of at least 15 grams ranged from only 1 to 4 instances. There was no relationship between total protein intake and either component of body composition. There was not a statistically significant relationship found between protein intake instances of 15 grams or more and fat percentage and fat mass. However, a trend towards a negative correlation between protein intake instances of ≥ 15 g and fat mass was observed (r = -0.417, p = 0.067). These results suggest that increased frequency of protein intake ≥ 15 g per instance may be associated with lower adiposity.
Recommended Citation
Gabriel, Rachael, "Relationship Between Protein Timing and Body Composition in Colegiate Women Soccer Players" (2017). All ETDs from UAB. 1678.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/1678