Janet Walberg Rankin, Ph.D., R.D.Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Nutrition can assist an athlete in attaining his performance potential. Although many athletes are convinced of the overall value of nutrition, many specific misunderstandings exist. Athletes look for nutrition information and assistance from coaches, athletic trainers and nutritionists. These individuals need to have a breadth of knowledge from an understanding of the basics of energy metabolism through the interpretation of the food guide pyramid.
The role of nutrition for any person is to maintain optimal health. Athletes look for additional benefits from their foods, including: fuel to delay fatigue, a tool to change body weight and composition, acceleration of recovery, reduction of illness, and prevention of decline in motor skills. Prediction of the limiting fuel for an activity is dependent on knowledge of energy metabolism and fuel utilization for exercise of different intensities and durations. An evaluation of the actual exercise workouts and competitions will help the counselor make decisions regarding fuel requirements for the athlete. Rapid loss of body weight can cause hazards to health as well as performance. Thus, reasonable recommendations regarding appropriate diets for weight gain or loss are critical. Total energy balance is the primary issue, but adequate carbohydrate and protein can also influence results. Athletes who participate in repeated events want to recover as quickly as possible between competitions. Consumption of fluid, carbohydrate and electrolytes provided in specific amounts and times can accelerate recovery. An increase in muscle protein balance is desirable for those participating in resistance exercise. Nutrition surrounding the workout may influence the lean tissue gains obtained from this training. An ill athlete should not compete; thus, every effort should be made to maintain a strong immune system. Nutritional strategies to reduce illness include avoiding rapid weight loss and maintaining body carbohydrate status. Motor skills deteriorate as athletes fatigue during a game or competition. Some evidence suggests that maintenance of carbohydrate intake and blood glucose will delay the fall in motor skill.
Challenges to good nutrition for active individuals include lack of time to attend to food preparation and selection, travel schedules, and performance pressure that may encourage athletes to attempt fad approaches or to take unproven or dangerous dietary supplements. It is the role of the diet counselor to assess the health and diet of the individual, develop a specific dietary plan, and educate the athlete on the value of these changes.
