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Diet and Nutrition Health Channel

Feature Article

Nutrition and athletic performance

Definition

There is a connection between food consumption and athletic performance.

Function

There is a large body of evidence showing a relationship between food consumption and athletic performance.

A poor diet will almost certainly have a negative effect on the performance of even the most casual athlete.

A good diet with adequate calories, vitamins, minerals, and protein will help provide the energy required to finish a race or simply enjoy a recreational sport or activity.

Recommendations

The diet recommended for an athlete differs little from the diet suggested for any healthy individual. The food guide pyramid is an excellent resource. However, the amount of each food group needed will depend on the type of sport, the amount of training and the time in relation to activity or exercise. Calorie needs vary with the size, age, sex and physical activity performed by the individual so the number of servings a person requires will vary.

CARBOHYDRATES

Complex carbohydrates are a diet staple. They are found in foods such as pasta, bagels, whole grain breads and rice. They provide energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are low in fat. Carbohydrate loading (a concerted diet/training regimen) will increase the body's energy stores of a carbohydrate called glycogen. Carbohydrate loading has been shown to improve performance in endurance-type activities lasting more than 1 hour.

The classical method of carbohydrate loading has been abandoned and replaced by a modified method which is safer and equally effective at increasing muscle glycogen. The most important factor influencing glycogen stores is to consume 50 - 60% of calories from carbohydrates on a daily basis.

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