Vitamins and minerals consumption in the basic diet in athletes specializing in freestyle

Introduction. The most important factor in ensuring the solution of problems of medical and biological support for sports is the optimization of nutrition taking into account the tasks set at a certain stage of preparation.

Materials and methods. The study involved twenty one member of the Russian Freestyle National Team (12 men aged 22±1 years and 9 women (21±1 years)). Nutrition was assessed using the recording method – self-maintaining a food diary using the NIAP web service.

Results. For the first time, the nutrition in freestyle skiers was assessed using remote technologies and artificial intelligence. It was found that 67% had low intake of vitamins B₁, B₂ and C, 77% had low intake of beta-carotene and vitamin E, 89% had low intake of folic acid and vitamin K, 100% had low biotin, 44% had low intake of pantothenic acid and vitamin B₁₂, and 33% had low intake of B6 and niacin. The vitamin A content in the diet in 4 female athletes did not reach 400 µg. In men, the content of beta-carotene, folic acid and biotin in the diet was below the norm in 83%, 75% had low intake of vitamin K, 50% had low intake of E, 33% had low intake of C, 25% had low intake of B₁ and pantothenic acid, and 17% had low intake of niacin and B₆. All of them had a vitamin D deficiency. There was established insufficient consumption of a number of macro- and microelements, such as Ca and I in 8 out of 9 (89%), K and Mg in 7 (78%), Fe and Zn in 6 (67%). in women, and a smaller deficiency of the same elements, with the exception of iron, in men.

Limitations. To ensure the most precise nutritional information, it is crucial to provide respondents with pre training before using the NIAP online service and for a nutrition expert to control and validate the completed diaries on a daily basis.

Conclusion. It is essential to fine-tune the fundamental eating plan for freestyle skiers. In cases  of weight management or exceptionally high energy expenditure, it is recommended to incorporate specialized foodstuffs for sportsmen's nutrition, which address the specific nutritional gaps.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study protocol (as part of the implementation of FNI No. FGMF-2025-0002) was approved by the ethics committee of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Research Center for Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety. All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Kobelkova I.V. – concept, organization and design of the study, collection of data, writing the text, editing;
Seledkova Yu.A. – concept and design of the study, collection and processing of data, statistical processing of data, writing the text;
Korosteleva M.M. – collection of data, writing the text, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Acknowledgments. We would like to express our gratitude to the Russian Freestyle Federation, represented by A.N. Kurashov, M.S. Nosov, V.V. Zebzeev, A.I. Lukina, K.N. Kireev, S.A. Lazarenko, D.R. Zakirov, M.F. Tomilin, A.I. Ponkratova for their active interest and assistance in organizing the study.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was carried out within the framework of funds allocated for the implementation of the state assignment of the Federal Research Center of Nutrition and Biotechnology (No. FGMF-2025-0002).

Received: Decemebr 20, 2024 / Accepted: June 26, 2025 / Published: July 31, 2025

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