The Muscle Mag
According to Sharon Madigan, PhD, science lead for Team Ireland and nutrition advisor to several competing athletes, women first participated in the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris. Fast forward 124 years later, and now there is an equal split between male and female athletes competing in the Olympics, which is a fantastic development.
In a recent review, Madigan emphasized the exponential growth of female participation in the Olympics over the last century, highlighting the importance of supporting women in achieving peak performance. Despite this progress, there are still significant gaps in understanding the nutritional requirements of male and female athletes.
One major reason for this gap is the historical bias towards male participants in sports and exercise science research, leading to a lack of knowledge about the unique physiological and nutritional needs of female athletes.
Nutrition intake
Madigan noted that many athletes come prepared with rehearsed meals and nutrition plans for the Olympics. The Olympic Village in Paris is designed to cater to various tastes and cultures, allowing athletes to eat comfortably. However, in the current climate of Paris, athletes participating in endurance events or outdoor competitions may require higher carbohydrate intake to sustain their performance.
Women’s marathon in Paris, scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday with temperatures expected to rise to 31°C, poses a challenge for athletes. To address this challenge, medical teams are implementing strategies such as providing ice slurries, maintaining carbohydrate and electrolyte levels, and ensuring proper hydration.
Carbohydrate intake is critical in endurance sports, but hormonal phases in women can impact carbohydrate metabolism and performance. Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle can also affect water and electrolyte regulation in female athletes.
Female athletes have distinct nutritional needs compared to males, with research indicating lower energy and micronutrient intake among female athletes. Key micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D are crucial for performance, with iron deficiency anemia being more common in women due to blood loss during menstruation.
Close quarters
This year’s Olympic Village has hosted nearly 11,000 athletes, increasing the risk of infections, especially respiratory ones. Under-fueling can lead to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections, which can affect athletes of all genders but may be more prevalent among females.
Societal norms and gender ideals can influence young girls’ activity and nutrition choices, potentially leading to disordered eating habits. The notion of masculinity and femininity can impact gender roles in sports and affect athletes’ relationships with food.
Research advances
Madigan highlighted the importance of increased female-specific research funding to address the lack of data on female athletes, especially at the elite level. The growing number of female researchers in the field is a positive sign for driving research advancements in women’s sports and nutrition.
