Table 2 Dietary practices of endurance athletes who reported following a planned diet
Total (%) n = 69 | Male (%) n = 29 | Female (%) n = 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|
What diet do you follow? | |||
Balanced diet | 18 (26.1%) | 10 (34.5%) | 8 (20.0%) |
Plant-based diet | 18 (26.1%) | 3 (10.3%)b | 15 (37.5%)a |
Why do you follow this diet? | |||
Health benefits | 52 (75.4%) | 22 (75.9%) | 30 (75.0%) |
Performance benefits | 31 (44.9%) | 19 (65.5%)a | 12 (30.0%)b |
Personal/medical reasons | 31 (44.9%) | 8 (27.6%)b | 23 (57.5%)a |
Do you have difficulty adhering to your diet? | |||
Yes/Occasionally | 29 (42.0%) | 12 (41.4%) | 17 (42.5%) |
No | 40 (58.0%) | 17 (58.6%) | 23 (57.5%) |
What difficulties do you experience? | n = 29 | n = 12 | n = 17 |
Social influences | 12 (41.4%) | 3 (25.0%) | 9 (52.9%) |
Preparing/obtaining food | 9 (31.0%) | 4 (33.3%) | 5 (29.4%) |
Scheduling conflicts | 9 (31.0%) | 5 (41.7%) | 4 (23.5%) |
General adherence | 9 (31.0%) | 4 (33.3%) | 5 (29.4%) |
How long have you been following this diet?* | |||
Less than a month | 7 (10.3%) | 3 (10.4%) | 4 (10.3%) |
Months | 12 (17.6%) | 9 (31.0%) | 3 (7.7%) |
Years | 49 (72.1%) | 17 (58.6%)b | 32 (82.1%)a |