Active adults and competitive athletes turn to sports nutrition to help them achieve their goals. Some examples of individual goals could include gaining lean mass, improving body composition, or improving athletic performance. Rehydration with water and sports drinks containing sodium are usually consumed depending on the athlete and the sporting event. Sports dieticians are increasingly being hired to develop nutrition and fluid programs aimed at each athlete or team.
To play high-level sports, an athlete needs adequate nutrition that allows for the best possible performance. According to the Academy of Sports Medicine, “the ethical use of sports supplements is a personal choice and remains controversial. Adequate nutrition is vital for child and adolescent athletes to achieve adequate growth and perform optimally in sports. Athletes are advised to use fluid replacement strategies as part of their sports nutrition to maintain optimal body function.
Nutrition is an important part of young athletes' athletic performance, as well as allowing for optimal growth and development.
