Overtraining may affect the majority of elite athletes at least once in their career, the pathophysiology is, however, not clearly understood. This study investigated dietary patterns in adolescent sprinters by comparing athletes who maladapted to prior training with those who adapted well, to identify underlying triggers of overtraining. Food diaries were completed by participants during different training phases over 26 weeks. Participants were classified as non-athletes (NA, n = 13), maladapted (MA, n = 12) and adapted (AA, n = 20) athletes. Total energy (p < 0.001), protein (p = 0.009) and carbohydrate (p < 0001) intakes changed across the different training phases. Compared to AA, MA showed a decrease in total energy (p = 0.009) and carbohydrate (p < 0.001) intakes throughout the season. Similarly, compared to NA, MA showed a decrease in total energy (p = 0.005) and carbohydrate (p < 0.001) intake across the season. A combination of total energy and carbohydrate intakes, sleep quality, and training load/volume were assessed in a logistic regression model, energy intake [OR (95%CI): 4.7 (1.4, 9.3), p < 0.001], carbohydrate intake [OR (95%CI): 14.6 (10.0, 21.4), p < 0.001], and sleep quality [OR (95%CI): 2.8 (1.9, 4.8), p = 0.014] explained overtraining beyond the training load/volume in sprinters. Reduced total energy intake, carbohydrate intake and sleep quality are likely triggers of overtraining beyond intensive training. Caloric and macronutrient periodization as a part of training could prevent maladaptation to training in adolescent sprinters.
© Copyright 2022 Human Nutrition & Metabolism. Elsevier. All rights reserved.