In addition, the average VO2 max for soccer players and gymnasts are 54-64 and 52-58 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively [45]. Moreover, elite endurance athletes often average 70 ml/kg/min. One of the Blasticidin S order highest recorded VO2 max results (90 ml.kg-1.min-1) was that of a cross country skier [46]. The Kuwaiti fencers had an average of 49.6 ml.kg-1.min-1which is less than the average in most athletes particularly with fencers. This is may be an indication of lack of cardiovascular (aerobic) endurance training. The results on plasma lipids showed no abnormalities in blood lipid profile. It is well documented that aerobic exercise training will improve the blood lipid profile [47, 48, 27, 49, 28]. This could be an indication that the players

are engaged in a well designed training program. Energy requirements and energy expenditure should be considered when designing a training www.selleckchem.com/products/epoxomicin-bu-4061t.html program. A well-designed training

program should depend on a balance between diet and energy intake [1]. Athletes who consume a balanced diet that meet energy needs can enhance physiological training adaptations. Moreover, maintaining an energy deficient diet during training may lead to loss of muscle mass and strength, increased MK-2206 datasheet susceptibility to illness, and may lead to overtraining. Fencers should consume enough calories to supply the energy demand from exercise and daily body functions in order to avoid an energy deficit. However, the fencers in the present study had high caloric intake which should be monitored by coaches in order to avoid weight gain, obesity and possible nutrition related Carnitine dehydrogenase diseases. Recent studies suggest that diet records are more valid measures of nutrient intake than are food-frequency questionnaires [50, 51]. Therefore, a three-day diet record was used to estimate mean daily dietary energy, macronutrients, micronutrients

intakes and total energy (calories) requirements. Determination of food intake and analysis showed that the average Kuwaiti fencer should increase total carbohydrate consumption to meet the energy demand of training and competitions. It is important to increase and maintain high level of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. Carbohydrates are important to maintain blood-glucose levels during exercise and avoid muscle glycogen depletion [52–54]. In order to increase fat loss by fencers, it is important to follow a healthy and balanced diet, which includes a wide selection of nutritious foods containing vitamins and essential minerals. The mean intake of saturated fat by Kuwaiti fencers was greater than 10% of the subject’s ideal caloric level. The high intake of total protein 144.2 ± 42.3 g/day should be reduced due to the fact that the protein selected by fencers contained a very rich saturated fat content. It should be noted that a typical Middle Eastern diet incorporates a high red meat and poultry consumption, and uses a deep fried style of cooking. This may explain the high levels of iron found in the fencers blood analysis.