Health and Nutrition
Nutrition for Sports Performance
Energy for Work
During periods of training, the diet must supply the additional energy and nutrient requirement imposed by the training load. Energy intake and energy expenditure are key factors for a number of reasons. Most people who exercise on a regular basis use exercise as a way of controlling their body fat levels and of allowing them to enjoy a greater amount and variety of foods. Eating more food, especially if a variety of different foods are selected, will supply more of all of the essential nutrients. An athlete with a high rate of energy turnover who eats enough food to meet their needs is much less likely to suffer from nutrient deficiencies than a person who takes no exercise and restricts food intake in order to control body weight. Eating a lot is no sure guarantee of an adequate diet, and simply eating more food is not the answer.
Special nutritional needs for training
| Athletes believe: |
Scientific research shows: |
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Extra protein
Extra vitamins and minerals |
Major concerns
Appropriate energy intake Moderate concerns Adequate protein |
Athletes are often concerned to meet protein needs and to take various supplements, but the key issues in training are to consume the right amount of energy - neither too much nor too little - to ensure an adequate supply of carbohydrate as a fuel for the working muscles and to ensure that sufficient water is consumed to prevent dehydration.
It is also important to ensure an adequate intake of protein and an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Eating more than adequate amounts is not helpful.
