A Systematic Review of the Effects of Nutrient Intake in Handball Players on Exercise Performance

Introduction: Modern handball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1972 and is played by more than 19 million people worldwide. Beach handball was born as an adaptation of court handball in the 1990s. Both modalities are complex and multifactorial ball games characterised by a fast pace and variable game intensities, as well as the strong influence of tactical concepts, social factors and cognitive aspects. Objective: To analyse the nutritional status of both male and female players to assess whether it is in line with specific and general dietary intake demands. Methodology: A systematic search of databases was carried out using keywords with relevant Boolean operators. Results: A total of 468 studies was identified, of which 44 studies were included: 7 on hydration; 22 studies related to energy, macronutrient and fibre intake; 23 that assessed micronutrients; 4 studies on nutritional knowledge and information sources; and 2 articles on eating disorders. A further 85 articles were included in order to cross-check results. Discussion: The need for a state of euhydration and normal plasma electrolyte levels is clear. Adequate energy intake is the cornerstone of the handball athlete’s diet to support optimal body function. The ACSM sets daily recommendations of 6–10 g CHO/kg body weight for handball, and daily protein recommendations range from 1.2 to 2.0 g PRO/kg/day and 14 g dietary fibre per 1000 kcal. Conclusion: The nutritional habits of handball players do not seem to be adequate to the demands of the sport, although these demands are not clarified. The inclusion of nutrition professionals could be a key element in the performance of these athletes.