Sports nutrition is the study and practice of nutrition and diet with regards to improving athletic performance. It focuses on the type and quantity of fluids and food taken by an athlete, as well as the consumption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Factors that may affect an athletes nutritional needs include the type of activity, gender, weight, height, body mass index, workout or activity stage, and time of day. Sports nutrition differs from regular nutrition because athletes require different levels of nutrients than non-athletes.
Nutrients are fuel for the body, and in order for physical and mental health to remain strong and healthy, a balanced diet of nutrients is required that can carry an individual through everyday life, including sports activity. Important nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The types of food that should be included in a diet for optimum sports nutrition include vegetables, whole grains, fruit, sources of lean protein, low-fat dairy produce, and healthy fats.
Recommendations for sports nutrition are highly individualized based on factors such as the sport, position, training experience, and on/off-season status. However, a good amount of sports nutrition advice is applicable to most athletes, regardless of their sport. To support high-intensity training or competition, athletes should focus on consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods from the five basic food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, lean proteins, and dairy products. Timing is also an important factor to consider when optimizing sports nutrition, as the body utilizes some nutrients more effectively during sleep than while awake.
Sports nutrition plays a key role in optimizing the beneficial effects of physical activity, whether an individual is a bodybuilder, a professional athlete in training, or exercising to improve their health. Nutrition professionals offer a variety of services to support health and sporting goals, ranging from a daily food diary to tips for eating after workouts or a comprehensive nutrition plan for training and competitions.
