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Nutrients
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Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition
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Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 3398

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lucas Jurado-Fasoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: nutrition; exercise training; metabolism; body composition; dietary supplements
Dr. Agustín Jerez-Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
Interests: exercise training; physical activity; muscle strength; body composition; sport performance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between nutrition, exercise, and body composition is complex and multifactorial. Evidence has shown that the quality and quantity of food intake, along with regular physical activity, including exercise intensity, type, and the interaction between these factors, play a crucial role in determining body composition across different life stages.

Developing healthy habits in both nutrition and physical activity is crucial, as the interplay between these factors significantly influences body composition and overall health throughout life. Given the multifaceted nature of these relationships, there is a need for further attention and targeted interventions across diverse populations.

This Special Issue of Nutrients aims to update the latest scientific evidence on these topics, focusing on the interaction between diet and exercise and how they affect key body composition parameters, such as fat mass, muscle mass, and bone health. We are also seeking studies that explore new strategies or innovative approaches to promoting a healthy lifestyle through the combination of nutrition and physical activity.

This Special Issue of Nutrients welcomes the submission of manuscripts describing original research (epidemiological studies or clinical trials), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Dr. Lucas Jurado-Fasoli
Guest Editor

Dr. Agustín Jerez-Martínez
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nutrition
  • exercise
  • fat mass
  • lean mass
  • bone mass
  • physical activity
  • dietary supplements

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1345 KiB  
Article
Exploring Gender-Specific Correlations Between Nutritional Intake, Body Composition, Psychological Skills, and Performance Metrics in Young Taekwondo Athletes
by Mohammad Hossein Samanipour, Mohammad Azizi, Omid Salehian, Halil Ibrahim Ceylan, Juan Francisco Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan Del Coso, Raul Ioan Muntean, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi and Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071202 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 695
Abstract
Objectives: Taekwondo performance is influenced by a complex and dynamic interplay of physical, nutritional, and psychological factors, all of which contribute to competitive success. However, the gender-specific relationships among these factors in young high-performance athletes remain understudied. This study aimed to fill in [...] Read more.
Objectives: Taekwondo performance is influenced by a complex and dynamic interplay of physical, nutritional, and psychological factors, all of which contribute to competitive success. However, the gender-specific relationships among these factors in young high-performance athletes remain understudied. This study aimed to fill in this knowledge gap. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 35 elite taekwondo athletes (male: n = 20, female: n = 15, age: 13 ± 1 years). Participants underwent anthropometric assessments, dietary evaluations, and psychological skill assessments during an 8-week training camp before the World Taekwondo Championships. Physical performance was assessed using the Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKTmult) and the Taekwondo-Specific Agility Test (TSAT). Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, correlation analyses, and regression models. Results: Males exhibited significantly higher fat-free mass (FFM: 42.8 ± 2.9 kg vs. 36.3 ± 1.6 kg, p < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass (SMM: 31.1 ± 2.2 kg vs. 28.2 ± 1.6 kg, p < 0.001), and energy intake (32.4 ± 4.6 kcal/kg vs. 29.3 ± 3.1 kcal/kg, p = 0.032) than females. Males also had greater dietary intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron (all p < 0.05). There were no gender differences in any psychological attributes associated with emotional intelligence, sport success perception, and mental toughness. Although the total kick count in the FSKTmult was similar for male and female taekwondo athletes (100.2 ± 4.6 vs. 97.5 ± 5.9 kicks, p = 0.139), males outperformed females in round 4 (19.4 ± 1.1 vs. 18.6 ± 1.4 kicks, p = 0.048) and round 5 (18.2 ± 1.0 vs. 17.2 ± 1.0 kicks, p = 0.007) of this test, suggesting higher physical performance maintenance during the test. Regression models indicated that body mass (β = 0.901, p < 0.001) and calcium intake (β = 0.284, p = 0.011) predicted performance in males, while body mass (β = 1.372, p < 0.001), protein intake (β = 0.171, p = 0.012), and emotional regulation (β = 0.174, p = 0.012) were key predictors in females. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of an integrated approach to training, nutrition, and psychological preparation in optimizing taekwondo performance. While males and females demonstrated similar psychological resilience and total kick output in a taekwondo-specific test, males exhibited superior endurance in later test rounds of this test. Performance optimization in young elite taekwondo athletes may require the implementation of gender-specific training and nutrition strategies, emphasizing body weight control and calcium intake for males and protein intake for females. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition)
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16 pages, 2024 KiB  
Article
Multidimensional Differences Between Athletes of Endurance, Strength, and Intermittent Sports: Body Composition, Diet, Resting Metabolic Rate, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Well-Being
by Marcos Rueda-Cordoba, Juan J. Martin-Olmedo, Sergio Espinar, Jonatan R. Ruiz and Lucas Jurado-Fasoli
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071172 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sports performance is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors, which differ across disciplines. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the distinct multidimensional profiles (i.e., body composition, diet, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, sleep quality, and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sports performance is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors, which differ across disciplines. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the distinct multidimensional profiles (i.e., body composition, diet, resting metabolic rate, physical activity, sleep quality, and subjective well-being) of athletes from different sports disciplines (i.e., endurance, strength, and intermittent sports). Methods: This study included 77 athletes (28 women) classified as endurance (n = 40), strength (n = 12), or intermittent (n = 25). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance, and anthropometry, diet was determined using dietary recalls, resting metabolic rate was assessed by indirect calorimetry, physical activity and sleep quality were determined by a wrist-worn accelerometer, and subjective well-being was determined through validated questionnaires. Results: Strength and intermittent athletes had greater body weight, lean mass, and bone parameters than endurance athletes, whereas intermittent athletes showed higher adiposity than endurance levels (all p ≤ 0.008). The endurance group did not exhibit a higher intake of fats or proteins compared to the strength and intermittent groups; however, it did demonstrate a higher consumption of carbohydrates (p ≤ 0.016). No differences were observed in resting metabolic rate, sleep quality, and subjective well-being, though endurance athletes demonstrated higher levels of vigorous physical activity than strength athletes (p = 0.014). Conclusions: In conclusion, we reveal a distinct physiological phenotype between strength, intermittent, and endurance athletes in terms of body composition, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored training and nutrition protocols depending on the sports discipline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition)
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12 pages, 241 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Anxiety and Nutritional Habits on the Body Distortion of Athletes
by Maria Isabel Ramírez-Goerke, José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera, Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez and Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 682; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040682 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1027
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders have been rising globally, particularly among adolescents and women. However, the relationship between diet, psychological traits, and anxiety levels in athletes remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the nutritional and psychological differences between athletes with varying anxiety levels, [...] Read more.
Background: Anxiety disorders have been rising globally, particularly among adolescents and women. However, the relationship between diet, psychological traits, and anxiety levels in athletes remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the nutritional and psychological differences between athletes with varying anxiety levels, hypothesizing that higher anxiety correlates with unhealthier dietary habits, greater body distortion, and less adaptive psychological profiles. Methods: A total of 58 athletes (23 women, 35 men), aged 18 to 45 years (mean age = 30.2 years), participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using validated online questionnaires, including the Big Five Inventory, Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), as well as surveys assessing nutritional habits and physical activity levels. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (v24.0), with independent t-tests to compare differences between higher and lower anxiety groups (p < 0.05). Results: It has beenindicated that higher anxiety was associated with greater neuroticism, lower psychological flexibility, and higher eating disorder symptomatology, while better sleep quality and psychological profiles correlated with lower anxiety levels. Additionally, athletes who cooked their own meals exhibited higher anxiety, whereas greater water intake and whole grain consumption were linked to lower anxiety. More frequent and intense training, particularly weight training, was also associated with reduced anxiety. Conclusion: This study concludes that anxiety in athletes is influenced by multiple lifestyle factors, including sleep quality, dietary habits, psychological traits, and exercise patterns. These findings emphasize the need for holistic approaches integrating nutrition, psychological interventions, and structured physical training to manage anxiety in athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition)
12 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Energy and Key Micronutrient Intake in Amateur Swimmers: A Pilot Study
by Sara Gonçalves, Filipa Vicente and Paula Pereira
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040664 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 833
Abstract
Swimming is a highly demanding sport that requires the integration of multiple physical, physiological, and psychological factors for optimal performance. Despite its popularity, most swimmers are amateur, and few studies have assessed energy and nutrient intake at this athlete level. Therefore, the aim [...] Read more.
Swimming is a highly demanding sport that requires the integration of multiple physical, physiological, and psychological factors for optimal performance. Despite its popularity, most swimmers are amateur, and few studies have assessed energy and nutrient intake at this athlete level. Therefore, the aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate energy and nutrient intake and compare them with the recommended values. Methods: The participants were recruited from local teams. To determine body composition, weight, height, and skinfold measurements were taken. Food intake assessment was conducted through a 3-day food log. Results: The sample was composed of 15 individuals, where 7 were female. There were no significant differences in energy and macronutrient intake between male and female swimmers, nor between rest or workout days. Despite protein intake being within the recommendation, the estimated average intake for energy was significantly lower than the recommended values. Female swimmers also showed an inadequate intake of calcium, iron, and zinc. Conclusions: Swimmers showed an inadequate energy and carbohydrate intake for their activity level. Female athletes also reported a low intake of crucial micronutrients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Exercise and Body Composition)
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