Sports Nutrition: Fuel Movement & Sport

Introduction

Olympic athletes benefit by incorporating science-based sports nutrition recommendations into their exercise training programs and competitions. Athletes improve their capacity for exercise training when they meet their energy, fluid, and nutrient needs on a consistent basis. However, maintaining a daily energy and fluid balance can be challenging. Athletes grapple with these questions: How much foods and fluids to consume? What type? When to eat? Viewing nutrition support in terms of a daily fueling cycle helps athletes make nutrition work for them.

Objectives

Describe the basic principle of sport nutrition guidance for energy, fluids, and
macronutrients.
Apply those recommendations to the needs of strength/power athletes and endurance athletes.
Apply the fueling cycle concept to an athlete's needs.
Describe the current recommendations for achieving optimal hydration in athletes.
Apply those recommendations to the needs of strength/power athletes and endurance athletes.
Discuss the rationale for, and appropriate use of, sports drinks.
Discuss the pros and cons of carbohydrate loading and creatine loading.

Key Points

Each topic presents both basic concepts and application to one or more representative athletes in either strength/power or endurance sport categories.

Athlete		Sport Category
Cross country skier (female)		Endurance
Cross country skier (male)		Endurance
Ice hockey (female)		Strength/power
Ice hockey (male)		Strength/power
Figure skater (female)		Strength/power