Multidimensional Differences Between Athletes of Endurance, Strength, and Intermittent Sports: Body Composition, Diet, Resting Metabolic Rate, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Well-Being

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Sports performance is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors, which differ across disciplines. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the distinct multidimensional profiles (i.e., body composition, diet, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, sleep quality, and subjective well-being) of athletes from different sports disciplines (i.e., endurance, strength, and intermittent sports). <b>Methods</b>: This study included 77 athletes (28 women) classified as endurance (n = 40), strength (n = 12), or intermittent (n = 25). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance, and anthropometry, diet was determined using dietary recalls, resting metabolic rate was assessed by indirect calorimetry, physical activity and sleep quality were determined by a wrist-worn accelerometer, and subjective well-being was determined through validated questionnaires. <b>Results</b>: Strength and intermittent athletes had greater body weight, lean mass, and bone parameters than endurance athletes, whereas intermittent athletes showed higher adiposity than endurance levels (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.008). The endurance group did not exhibit a higher intake of fats or proteins compared to the strength and intermittent groups; however, it did demonstrate a higher consumption of carbohydrates (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.016). No differences were observed in resting metabolic rate, sleep quality, and subjective well-being, though endurance athletes demonstrated higher levels of vigorous physical activity than strength athletes (<i>p</i> = 0.014). <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, we reveal a distinct physiological phenotype between strength, intermittent, and endurance athletes in terms of body composition, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored training and nutrition protocols depending on the sports discipline.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nutrients
Published
2025-03-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071172
Citations
5
Primary Topic
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.76
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article

Multidimensional Differences Between Athletes of Endurance, Strength, and Intermittent Sports: Body Composition, Diet, Resting Metabolic Rate, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Well-Being

Jonatan R. Ruiz, Sergio Espinar, Lucas Jurado‐Fasoli, Juan J. Martín-Olmedo et al.
5 citations
Nutrients
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
5.76
article

Multidimensional Differences Between Athletes of Endurance, Strength, and Intermittent Sports: Body Composition, Diet, Resting Metabolic Rate, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Well-Being

Jonatan R. Ruiz, Sergio Espinar, Lucas Jurado‐Fasoli, Juan J. Martín-Olmedo, Marcos Rueda-Córdoba
article en
5 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Sports performance is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors, which differ across disciplines. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the distinct multidimensional profiles (i.e., body composition, diet, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, sleep quality, and subjective well-being) of athletes from different sports disciplines (i.e., endurance, strength, and intermittent sports). <b>Methods</b>: This study included 77 athletes (28 women) classified as endurance (n = 40), strength (n = 12), or intermittent (n = 25). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance, and anthropometry, diet was determined using dietary recalls, resting metabolic rate was assessed by indirect calorimetry, physical activity and sleep quality were determined by a wrist-worn accelerometer, and subjective well-being was determined through validated questionnaires. <b>Results</b>: Strength and intermittent athletes had greater body weight, lean mass, and bone parameters than endurance athletes, whereas intermittent athletes showed higher adiposity than endurance levels (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.008). The endurance group did not exhibit a higher intake of fats or proteins compared to the strength and intermittent groups; however, it did demonstrate a higher consumption of carbohydrates (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.016). No differences were observed in resting metabolic rate, sleep quality, and subjective well-being, though endurance athletes demonstrated higher levels of vigorous physical activity than strength athletes (<i>p</i> = 0.014). <b>Conclusions</b>: In conclusion, we reveal a distinct physiological phenotype between strength, intermittent, and endurance athletes in terms of body composition, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored training and nutrition protocols depending on the sports discipline.

NutrientsVol. 17(7)
Universidad de Granada (ES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES), Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ES), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (ES), Universidad Católica de Murcia (ES), Universidad de Murcia (ES)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
5.76
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