Achieving peak performance is a constant goal in sports but this requires more than just natural talent and physical training. You need to understand proper nutrition and how this affects your performance. This is where sports nutritionists come in. They are able to help athletes to optimise their diets and improve recovery.
Nutrition plays an important role in maximising the performance potential of the athlete
And sports nutritionists that carry a sports science degree are able to work with athletes in order to develop personalised nutrition plans for them so that it aligns with their training regimens and specific goals. Nutrition is what provides you with essential nutrients and energy needed to train, compete and recovery. And the sports nutritionists will consider the dietary preferences of the athlete as well when creating nutrition plans. Some of the factors they consider in this are energy expenditure, requirements for macronutrients and micronutrients. The nutrition strategies will be tailored to support the overall wellbeing of the athletes. Athletic performance and recovery also depend on the timing of the meals and their composition. Athletes will be advised on how to fuel properly before, during and after exercise so that their optimal energy levels can be maintained along with hydration and replenishment of nutrients. When it comes to pre-exercise meals, the focus is on getting in carbohydrates for fuel. During the workout, nutrition needs to maintain the energy levels of the athlete and their hydration levels. After the workout, nutrition needs to replenish glycogen stores, repair muscle tissue and support the immune function of the athlete.
Hydration is important when it comes to maintaining performance
This will help athletes in preventing fatigue that occurs as a result of dehydration. It will also prevent heat related illnesses that can come up during exercise. The individual hydration needs of the athlete will be assessed by the sports nutritionists depending on their sweat rate, environmental conditions and intensity of the exercise. They will guide the athlete on proper intake of fluids before, during and after training. Athletes will be educated on how they can replace the electrolytes they lose through sweating. When hydration status of the athlete is optimised, they will be able to perform at their best. This will reduce the risk of performance decrements. It can also reduce injuries that can occur as a result of dehydration.
Nutrition also plays a big role in recovery and reducing the risk of injuries in athletes
Sports nutritionists will recommend supplements and foods that are rich in nutrients that help repair muscles, improve recovery and reduce inflammation. They will guide the athletes in incorporating food rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients so that their immune function can benefit from it. And as each athlete is unique with different nutritional preferences, needs and dietary restrictions, sports nutritionists will take a tailored approach to nutrition counselling. They will consider the body composition, gender, age and training volume of the athletes. The nutrition plan developed will align with the lifestyle, performance goals, cultural preferences etc. of the athletes.
