Sport-specific nutrition: Practical strategies for team sports

Aug 12, 2011Journal of sports sciences

Nutrition strategies tailored for different team sports

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Abstract

Team sports require a tailored nutrition program to support intermittent activity and maintain energy levels.

High carbohydrate intake is essential for replenishing glycogen during pre-season training and matches.
Strength and power sports necessitate muscle-building programs that must include adequate nutrition.
Simple body measurements can assist in monitoring athletes' body composition over time.
Tools like body mass scales and urine specific gravity refractometers can help detect dehydration risks.
Common supplements include sports beverages and caffeine, with mixed opinions on the effectiveness of creatine.
An individualized approach is critical to address the unique nutritional needs of each athlete.

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Implementation of a nutrition programme for team sports involves application of scientific research together with the social skills necessary to work with a sports medicine and coaching staff. Both field and court team sports are characterized by intermittent activity requiring a heavy reliance on dietary carbohydrate sources to maintain and replenish glycogen. Energy and substrate demands are high during pre-season training and matches, and moderate during training in the competitive season. Dietary planning must include enough carbohydrate on a moderate energy budget, while also meeting protein needs. Strength and power team sports require muscle-building programmes that must be accompanied by adequate nutrition, and simple anthropometric measurements can help the nutrition practitioner monitor and assess body composition periodically. Use of a body mass scale and a urine specific gravity refractometer can help identify athletes prone to dehydration. Sports beverages and caffeine are the most common supplements, while opinion on the practical effectiveness of creatine is divided. Late-maturing adolescent athletes become concerned about gaining size and muscle, and assessment of maturity status can be carried out with anthropometric procedures. An overriding consideration is that an individual approach is needed to meet each athlete's nutritional needs.

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Sport-specific nutrition: Practical strategies for team sports

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