Nutritional Profile and Body Composition of Indian Inter-Collegiate and National Level Female Handball Players

Abstract

Handball is a physically demanding sport that requires both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Female players need to consume adequate calories to fuel their training sessions and matches, as well as to support recovery. Other nutritional challenges faced by female athletes is micronutrient deficiency, which affects various playing capacities in women athletes. The present study was conducted to analyze the nutritional profile and body composition of female Handball players aged 17-25 years playing at intercollegiate and national level.  The total number of subjects taken were thirty female handball players (15 National level female handball players and 15 Inter-collegiate level female Handball players) in the age range of 17-25 years. In anthropometric and body composition variables, weight was taken using weighing machine, height was measured with anthropometric rod and these values were used to compute Body mass index (BMI).  Skin folds at biceps, triceps, supra-iliac and sub-scapular were taken with skinfold calipers to calculate body fat percent The nutritional profile was taken by recording 3-day’s dietary record method and the nutrient intake was calculated using Indian Food Composition tables as given by NIN/ICMR (2017).  The data obtained was analyzed by computing Mean (M), Standard deviation (SD).  Independent t-test was used to evaluate the significant differences in various indices studied; between 15 National level female handball players and 15 Inter-collegiate level female Handball players and level of significance was taken at 0.05 levels. Analysis of data revealed that both intercollegiate and national level female handball players require nutrition education about adequate dietary practices to obtain desired body composition levels and to promote healthy dietary habits.