Aim. - This study aimed at defining how many fats require sportsmen with a high volume of training. Materials and method. - Nineteen ultra athletes and cyclists volunteered to take part. We assessed lipid intake with a 4-day dietary recall and a frequency questionnaire, in order to have a more precise quantification as possible. Results. - Our results showed first that in spite of a mean fat intake of 1.5 g/kg per day, eighteen out of our nineteen subjects presented with a biological abnormality, most of which concerned "omega 3" fats. Dietary recall did not help predicting any deficiency, except for "omega 3". Every time rapeseed oil was not consumed, biological abnormalities were seen. Moreover, a carbohydrate intake below 6 g/kg per day increased the probability for a subject to have his biological fatty acids status being disturbed. Conclusion. - We concluded that "safety fat intakes" must be increased to 1.3 g/kg per day and that a high quality is required for fats. When rapeseed oil is lacking, "omega 3" requirements are harder to meet, even with fats intake far beyond 1,5 g/kg per day. Moreover, an optimal carbohydrate intake is necessary in order to meet fats requirements.
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