The Importance of Nutrition in Sporting - Literature review Example

Literature Review General Overview and Case Study Nutrition is an important process to maintain human life and ensure continual existence (Dodge, 2003). Once the term “nutrition” is used instead of “eating”, a whole lot of technicalities become attached and the reference goes beyond the simple act of taking in food. In fact, nutrition has been explained as “the sum total of the processes involved in the taking in and the utilization of food substances by which growth, repair and maintenance of the body are accomplished” (Tips for Healthy Lifestyle, 2010). This means that nutrition concerns itself with the use of food by the body for the right purpose. It is not surprising, therefore, that whereas some people rely on nutrition to gain weight, others rely on nutrition to lose weight – so the point is in what one takes in food to achieve and as to whether the aim is being achieved that constitutes nutrition. In this case study, an investigation is made to establish the nutritional status of a thirty-three (33) year old male athlete whose focus for nutrition is to build the right kind of body to promote performance in sports. The importance of nutrition in sporting In fact, a sport is all about performance, so the general concern of a sports personality who takes up special diet would be to improve performance. It is in this direction that it is said that sports personalities who refuse to practice the right dietary intake are characterised by their bodies becoming “less likely to achieve peak performance and may even break down rather than build up muscles” (Kids Health, 2012). The overall importance of nutrition to the person under the case study is, therefore, briefly explained below. General Health and Fitness: The first point is the fact that nutrition in the sportsman under study would be to ensure general health and fitness. By this, emphasis is being taken away from sports to imply that good health and wellbeing is necessary, whether or not the person is viewed from the sporting perspective, and that nutrition can ensure this health and fitness. Through well planned nutrition, common diseases and sicknesses will be avoided. Keeping the right body weight: Each sporting discipline has a body weight correspondence that fits it best (Okala, 2008). In some disciplines, the rules are so strict that sports personalities who go beyond the weight requirement by just a kilo are not allowed to participate. A well planned diet and nutritional status can, therefore, ensure that a sports personality maintains the right body weight that is just perfect for the sports undertaken. This would be done in the absence of any side effects. The sporting area of the person under study is long jump and a weight around 70kg should just be perfect. Accumulation of power and strength: It is common knowledge that people involved in sports need extra energy, strength and power because they are often engaged in extra training and exercise when all other people are relaxing (Healthy Living Organisation, 2007). Exercising involves the burning of a lot of calories; thus, following the right nutrition would ensure that the athlete makes up for the extra body activities undertaken. Nutrition, therefore, serves as fuel for extra body activities such as training and exercise (Philipp, 2007) Empirical dietary requirements associated with sports There are several scientific data and on the empirical dietary requirements for athletes. In the following section, the development, implementation and evaluation of various food, fluids, quantity of intake timing of intake and supplement choices that are most ideal for a 33 year old male athlete in long jump will be discussed. Most of the data and analysis shall be based on recommendations by the Dieticians Association of Canada, Nutritional Health Association of UK, the American Dietetic Association, and the English College of Sports Medicine. Comparatively, the role of the health specialist in ensuring the adequacies shall also be reviewed. Carbohydrate Intake: Anderson, Young and Prior (2010) note that “in the early stages of moderate exercise, carbohydrates provide 40 to 50 percent of the energy requirement.” This means that at the pre-training or performance level, a lot of carbohydrate intake is needed as “carbohydrates yield more energy per unit of oxygen consumed than fats” (Anderson, Young and Prior, 2010). Protein Intake: The function of protein is just in line with that of carbohydrate with an additional function of replenishing glycogen stores, providing adequate protein for building and repairing tissue (Quinn, 2004). Due to their slow digestion rate, however, Anderson, Young and Prior (2010) posit that “the ADA reports that a protein intake of 10 to 12 percent of total calories is sufficient.” Fat Intake: The most supreme role of fat in the nutrition of the sports personality would be “to provide essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as to help provide adequate energy for weight maintenance” (Quinn, 2004). Generally, therefore, fats serve as the fuel of the body and keep the athlete going. Quantitatively, Anderson, Young and Prior (2010) advise that “consumption of fat should not fall below 15 percent of total energy intake because it may limit performance.” Fluid and water intake: All sporting activities are characterised by loss of liquid from the body – even swimming (Apotro, 2005). For the long jumper, therefore, a lot of water is needed before and during activities to keep the body well hydrated. More to water, Quinn (2004) observes that “consumption of sport drinks containing carbohydrates and electrolytes during exercise will provide fuel for the muscles.” Body weight and composition: For the long jumper in question, his present weight is 75kg and height is 175 cm. As far as the weight is concerned, he may be considered a little heavy for his discipline as long jumping involving the swinging of the body away from a given spot and requires lighter weight to accrue maximum jump. It is therefore recommended that exercises and meal intake levels that will allow for reduced weight are adhered to. Vitamins and mineral supplement: Scientific research strongly advises against vitamins and mineral supplement for sports people, especially because they should be able to depend on natural dietary sources to achieve this (Quinn, 2004). In fact Anderson, Young and Prior (2010) support this stand and put it blunt that “there is no evidence that taking more vitamins than is obtained by eating a variety of foods will improve performance.” Nutritional ergogenic aids: These are not totally shunned but a lot of caution is needed in their application. It is important to look out for any accompanying side effects and most importantly, to be sure that they are not banned products for a given sporting discipline. Conclusion and recommendations Nutrition is generally important for all people, being especially important for people engaged in sports. The literature review has brought out some of the most important facts in considering nutrition for a sports personality. Details of most of these requirements have been given in the appendices. It has been identified that the sports personality needs to put in much effort to achieve optimised performance in sports. It was also established that the personality whose case is currently under study would have to work a little more on his weight as he needs to lose a couple of kilos. Ultimately, it is advised that nutrition rather than drugs becomes the issue to turn to if the sports personality in question is thinking about improved performance. REFERENCE LIST Anderson, J, Young, L. and Prior, S., 2010. Nutrition for Athletes, Colorado State University, [Online] Available at http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09362.html [Accessed February 18, 2012] Apotro, L. R, 2005. Nutritional Need in Sports. Durban: Ultimate Printing Press. Dodge, R. A., 2003. Modern Nutrition and Nutritional Value. London: Worthwool Press Limited. Healthy Living Organisation, 2007. Athletes’ Nutrition, [Online] Available at http://healthy-living.org/html/athletes__nutrition.html [Accessed February 18, 2012] Kids Health, 2012. A Guide to Eating for Sports, [Online] Available at http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/eatnrun.html [Accessed February 18, 2012] Okala, T. H., 2008. Being on Diet for Sports. Durban: Print Well Publishers. Philipp, T. A., 2007. Sports and Nutrition. Oxford: University Printing Press. Quinn, E., 2004. Nutrition and Athletic Performance, Sports Medicine, [Online] Available at http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/aa101101a.htm [Accessed February 18, 2012] Tips for Healthy Lifestyle, 2010. What is Nutrition? [Online] Available at http://whatisnutritiontips.com/# [Accessed February 18, 2012] LIST OF APPENDIX Appendix A Carbohydrate Requirement in Diet Source: Anderson, Young and Prior (2010). Appendix B Water Requirement for Events Source: Anderson, Young and Prior (2010). Appendix C Pre-Event Meals Source: Anderson, Young and Prior (2010). Read More