| Abstrakt: |
Background: A healthy diet is crucial for the health and physical fitness of both traditional sports and esports athletes. The present study aimed to assess the eating behaviors of elite Polish esports players using the QDS questionnaire. Methods: The survey was conducted on a group of 188 men aged 18-29 years, and a proprietary standardized questionnaire for rapid dietary assessment (QDS) was used. A chi-square test was used for the statistical analysis, assuming a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The results indicate that the largest percentage of esports players surveyed adhered to the dietary recommendations related to fluid intake (75%), fluid replacement during exercise (72.3%), consuming cereal products (67.6%), the recommended number of meals (62.2%), and adequate hydration after exercise (60.1%). The study found that the most common dietary mistakes were usage of dietary supplements without consulting a doctor or nutritionist (75.9%), low consumption of meat substitutes (66.5%), and inadequate intake of recommended products such as pulses (64.4%), fish (62.8%), vegetables (53.3%), and whole grain cereal products (51.1%). Most study participants were players characterized by low (44.7%) and average (40.4%) levels of following dietary recommendations, as indicated by the nutrition score used. A higher level of rational dietary choices was observed in 14.9% of the group. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differentiation of the analyzed dietary behaviors between professional and semi-professional players (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The Quick Diet Survey (QDS) questionnaire used in the study is a valuable and reliable tool for rapid diet assessment. Therefore, the high prevalence of unhealthy eating behaviors among esports players highlights the need for nutrition education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
