Impacto de la nutrición en la calidad de vida y rendimiento de para-atletas: revisión sistemática

Nutrition is a fundamental component in the quality of life and performance of athletes with disabilities, as it directly affects their nutritional status, body composition, and physical capacity. This systematic review aimed to examine how sports nutrition influences both the quality of life and performance of this group of athletes. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were employed thru searches in the Scopus (n = 81), Web of Science (n = 144), and Science Direct (n = 76) databases, using Boolean operators and eligibility criteria defined thru PICO. After the selection, 18 studies met the established criteria and a critical evaluation was conducted using the JBI tool for observational studies. The findings revealed common deficiencies in the intake of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, as well as variations according to gender, age, and type of sport, in addition to irregular use of nutritional supplements. Physiological, sociocultural, and nutritional support factors that affect diet adherence and energy availability, impacting performance and body composition, were also identified. These results underscore the need for personalized nutritional interventions, specialized education, and constant monitoring to improve the overall wellbeing and performance of para-athletes. The review offers valuable information for coaches, nutritionists, and sports policy makers, highlighting that proper nutritional planning is an essential strategy to improve the athletic performance and quality of life of para-athletes.