A Comparison of a Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Diet in Indian Female Athletes in Relation to Exercise Performance

The study was conducted to explore the prevalence of vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism amongst the Indian female athletes and its effects on nutritional status and exercise performance of the subjects. Sixty four women national athletes attending national camps in preparation of international competition in the age group of 16-25 yrs participated in the present study. Anthropometric measurements viz; height, weight, body fat and lean body mass were taken and dietary intake pattern was assessed through 24 hour recall method. Performance was assessed by graded exercise till exhaustion. Blood samples were taken prior to exercise for assessment of haemoglobin. Results showed prevalence of non-vegetarianism was high amongst Indian sports women (61.9%) than lacto (22.2%) and ovolacto vegetarians (15.9%). None of them were pure vegetarians. Body fat was significantly higher among lacto vegetarians (27.2 + 4.2%) than non- vegetarians (24.3 +4.0%) and ovolacto vegetarians (23.1+1.92%). No significant difference was found for energy and carbohydrate intake between the three groups. Protein intake was significantly higher in non – vegetarians as compared to ovolacto vegetarian and lacto vegetarian group (p<0.01) and fat intake was higher in lacto vegetarians as compared to ovolacto vegetarian and non vegetarian group (p<0.01). B-complex vitamins, iron intake, haemoglobin concentration (p<0.05) were high in non-vegetarians. Calcium and fibre intake was hig