The ultimate goal of nutrition in sports is to balance these macro and micronutrients to achieve optimal energy production and, sometimes, optimal body composition for the intended sport. Dividing the amount a person needs will depend on specific personal and sporting factors. 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.
Nutrition is an important part of young athletes' athletic performance, as well as allowing for optimal growth and development. Whether your goal is to train for a specific event or to make more general improvements, such as controlling weight, improving concentration or energy levels, a sports nutrition professional will assess your entire body health, your daily habits, supplements, and regular medication needs. A sports nutritionist will work with you to analyze your goals and current status and design a personalized nutrition plan to maximize your performance. Adequate nutrition is vital for child and adolescent athletes to achieve adequate growth and perform optimally in sports.
Sports dieticians are increasingly being hired to develop nutrition and fluid programs aimed at each athlete or team. Athletes are advised to use fluid replacement strategies as part of their sports nutrition to maintain optimal body function. Hydration and refueling strategies vary depending on the type of event you're participating in, so using key principles, let's see what sports nutrition could look like for the average gym enthusiast and marathon runner. Rehydration with water and sports drinks containing sodium are usually consumed depending on the athlete and the sporting event.
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.
