Nutrition Science & the Olympics
Welcome to Sports Nutrition! Science is a powerful asset for athletes who want to use nutrition to their advantage. Whether an Olympic medal is won by tenths of a second in a ski race, decimal points in a figure skating competition, or goals in an ice hockey game, an athlete's nutritional status makes a critical difference in reaching peak performance.This course explores the science of sports nutrition and shows how to apply nutrition principles to benefit an athlete's training and performance.

Fueling & Cooling Olympic Athletes
Just as high performing race cars require fuel and coolant, maintaining energy, fluid, and nutrient balance are essential goals for Olympic athletes. Consistency is essential -- nutrition needs to be addressed throughout months and often years of athletic training as well as before and during competitive events. Energy and fluid needs may differ dramatically between days of physical training and days of competition. How much foods and fluids to consume? What type? When to eat and drink? Athletes deal with these questions daily. Scientific studies conducted in laboratories and on the field, the snow, and the ice rink provide answers. For specifics, visit the Fuel Movement & Sport and Eat for Performance sections.

Nutrition & Training are Team Players
Nutrition and physical training are connected -- long term athletic success depends on meeting day-to-day nutritional needs. For example, maintaining optimal hydration status and sufficient muscle glycogen stores delays the onset of fatigue and enables athletes to train longer before tiring. Also, although the stress of exercise training stimulates physiological improvement, adaptations to physical stress actually occurs in the recovery period following the exercise sessions. Satisfying an athlete's needs for rehydrating, refueling, and rest are essential components of the recovery process.