How Swimmers Are Fueling Their Bodies: Macronutrient Intake and Timing
- projectunlaced
- Aug 23
- 1 min read
Elite swimmers burn a lot of energy and need the right balance of protein (PRO), carbohydrates (CHO), and fats (FAT) to support training and performance.
Method
In a study of 25 male and female swimmers (ages 18–22), researchers looked at daily energy intake, macronutrient intake, and timing relative to exercise.
Results
Most swimmers (24/25) met PRO recommendations.
Few swimmers (6/25 and 7/25) met FAT and CHO recommendations, respectively.
Carbohydrate intake before, during, and after exercise was often below recommendations, especially for the first daily training session. Notably, none of the swimmers met CHO recommendations pre- or during exercise for the first daily training session.
Conclusions
The study found clear differences between male and female swimmers. While most athletes are getting enough protein, many are falling short on carbohydrates and fats. Only about half of the swimmers met carbohydrate recommendations before, during, and after workouts. This suggests that swimmers should focus on boosting carbohydrate intake, especially around training sessions, to better support performance and recovery.
Citation
Lundstrom EA, De Souza MJ, Khen KM, Williams NI. Elite collegiate swimmers do not meet sport nutrition recommendations during heavy training: effects of sex and within-day nutrient timing. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025 Dec;22(1):2494846. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2025.2494846. Epub 2025 Apr 18. PMID: 40249655; PMCID: PMC12010650.