Dietary and nutritional approach to do the rioja bike race: case study

Abstract

The Rioja Bike Race is an individual mountain bike competition that is carried out in 3 stages, with variable distances (60-83km). The event provides refreshment areas and technical assistance to meet the nutrition and hydration needs of the participants. The dietary-nutritional preparation is of great importance in order to reduce or even prevent gastrointestinal problems, dehydration, hyponatremia, fatigue, among others. The aim of this case study is to describe the dietary and nutritional planning of an athlete in this event. Test subject: Male, 37 years old and 10 years of sports experience and very important sport achievements. His eating habits, supplement intake and body composition were evaluated. For nutrition planning of the Rioja Bike Race, we took into account the dietary and nutritional recommendations for athletes in compe-tition, test time, refreshment areas and possible food intake/supplements. The dietary-nutritional planning in ultra-endurance events is important for successful performance in the competition, to decrease nutritional risk and avoiding dehydration, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, etc.