ACSM Position Statement: Nutrition & Athletic Performance

Nutrition for AthletesStudent’s Name
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According to (Beck, et. al, 2015) a planned scientific nutritional strategy enhances the capability of none-lite runners to finish a marathon competition by running faster as compared to a self-chosen nutritional strategy. There are various dietary intake strategies that seek to enhance the performance of an athlete. These strategies include maximizing the intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, and fluids. The composition of these nutrients and spacing between each intake is critical towards the performance of an athlete. (Beck, et. al, 2015) emphasizes that each athlete needs a customized dietary advice as the dietary intake varies with the type of sport, individual goals, food preference, personal strength and endurance. Therefore, a customized dietary intake will take into account all these factors hence augmenting one’s performance.
The article recommends that athlete should maximize the glycogen stored in the muscles before a strenuous exercise as this will delay the onset of one becoming fatigue. A period of 24 hours is considered sufficient for one to maximize on glycogen stored in the muscle (Beck, et. al, 2015). Carbohydrate intake during an event helps in the prevention of hypoglycemia and also maintaining high levels of carbohydrate oxidation. High intensity training will require high level of carbohydrate as the oxidation increases. For instance, a marathon of 2-3 hours an athlete will require 60g of carbohydrate per hour.

Research has found out that the consumption of protein along with carbohydrate does not enhance time-trial performance as compared to the exclusive intake of carbohydrate (Beck, et. al, 2015). Fluids should be taken in order for the maintenance of hydration and thermoregulation and on that note, the research emphasizes on an athlete to be adequately hydrated prior an exercise. In areas where there is high temperatures sodium loss is high hence fluids should have sodium to minimize the risk of hypernatremia. According to (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, & American College of Sports Medicine, 2015), rehydration strategy after an exercise as to be primarily on sodium and water and sold be done in moderation to avoid diuresis. Athletes can use food supplements such as caffeine, Creatine, beetroot juice, and bicarbonate to enhance their performance.
References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, & American College of Sports Medicine. (2015). Nutrition and Athletic Performance : Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2016/03000/Nutrition_and_Athletic_Performance.25.aspx
Beck, K., Thomson, J. S., Swift, R. J., & Von Hurst, P. R. (2015). Role of nutrition in performance enhancement and postexercise recovery. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 259. doi:10.2147/oajsm.s33605