Effects of a High-Energy Nutritional Protein-Based Bar on the Performance of Young Athletes

Abstract

Background: Young athletes require adequate energy, carbohydrate, protein, fluid, and micronutrient intake to support training, recovery, growth, and health. Nutrient-dense sports foods may provide a convenient means of supplementing dietary intake, but claims regarding athletic performance require direct objective testing. Objective: To develop and nutritionally characterize a high-energy protein-based bar and describe its acceptability and self-reported performance-related perceptions among young athletes. Methods: A bar containing oats, kidney bean flour, peanut butter, dried berries, banana flour, sugar, glucose syrup, salt, and water was developed and analyzed for proximate composition, selected minerals, phenolic content, and sensory characteristics. Questionnaire data from 250 respondents were analyzed for demographic and sporting characteristics, dietary practices, perceived energy after bar consumption, fatigue, perceived endurance, product acceptability, and future-use intentions. Results: The bar contained 22.80±0.08% protein, 10.78±0.06% fat, 4.92±0.08% fiber, 4.45±0.05% ash, and 14.80±0.65% moisture. Corrected carbohydrate by difference was 42.25%, yielding an estimated energy value of approximately 357 kcal/100 g. Sixty percent of respondents reported perceived improvement in endurance or stamina, while 20% did not and 20% were unsure. Eighty percent would recommend the bar and 75.2% reported willingness to continue using it. Conclusion: The developed bar had substantial protein and energy content and was generally well accepted. Questionnaire findings represent perceived rather than objectively measured athletic-performance effects; controlled performance efficacy cannot be established from these data.