An Overview of Sports Nutrition

Dumbbell, drinking bottle, fruit bowl and smartphone with earphones
Westend61 / Getty Images

Sports nutrition is a topic of constant change and has grown as a dynamic field of clinical study. Research continues to advise improved nutritional guidelines and support for both active adults and competitive athletes. Science recognizes sports nutrition and energy intake as the “cornerstone of the athlete’s diet.”

What Is Sports Nutrition?

Sports nutrition is the foundation of athletic success. It is a well-designed nutrition plan that allows active adults and athletes to perform at their best.

It supplies the right food type, energy, nutrients, and fluids to keep the body well hydrated and functioning at peak levels. A sports nutrition diet may vary day to day, depending on specific energy demands.

Sports nutrition is unique to each person and is planned according to individual goals.

Sports Nutrition Basics

The energy required for living and physical activity comes from the food we eat and fluid intake. Macronutrients in the following food groups supply the energy essential to optimal body function.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are either simple or complex, and the most important energy source for the human body. Simple carbs include sugars naturally occurring in foods like fruits, vegetables, and milk.

Whole grain bread, potatoes, most vegetables, and oats are examples of healthy complex carbs. Your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into glucose or blood sugar which feeds energy to your cells, tissues, and organs.

Proteins

Proteins are made up of a chain of amino acids and are essential to every cell of the human body. Protein can either be complete or incomplete. A complete protein contains all the amino acids needed by the body, and include animal sources like meat, fish, poultry, and milk.

Incomplete protein sources (typically plant-based proteins) often lack one or more of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids can't be made by the body and must be supplied by food. Protein plays an important role in muscle recovery and growth. Those with higher protein needs might benefit from using one of these dietician recommended whey protein powders.

Fats

Fats can be saturated or unsaturated, and they play a vital role in the human body. Unsaturated fats are considered healthy and come from plant sources like olive oil and nuts. Saturated fats are found in animal products like red meats and high-fat dairy, which are indicated to increase the risk of disease.

Healthy fats provide energy, help with body development, protect our organs, and maintain cell membranes.

The Goal of Sports Nutrition

Active adults and competitive athletes turn to sports nutrition to help them achieve their goals. Examples of individual goals could include gaining lean mass, improving body composition, or enhancing athletic performance.

These sport-specific scenarios require different nutritional programs. Research findings indicate the right food type, caloric intake, nutrient timing, fluids, and supplementation are essential and specific to each individual. The following are different states of training and competitive sport benefiting from sports nutrition.

Eating for Exercise/Athletic Performance

Training programs require a well-designed diet for active adults and competitive athletes. Research shows a balanced nutrition plan should include sufficient calories and healthy macronutrients to optimize athletic performance.

The body will use carbohydrates or fats as the main energy source, depending on exercise intensity and duration. Inadequate caloric intake can impede athletic training and performance.

Active adults exercising three to four times weekly can usually meet nutritional needs through a normal healthy diet. Moderate to elite athletes performing intense training five to six times weekly will require significantly more nutrients to support energy demands.

For example, and according to research, energy expenditure for extreme cyclists competing in the Tour de France is approximately 12,000 calories per day. ​

  • Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for an active adult or competitive athlete. General guidelines for carbohydrate intake are based on body size and training characteristics. Carbohydrate needs in a daily diet can range from 45 to 65% of total food intake depending on physical demands.
  • Proteins are responsible for muscle growth and recovery in the active adult or athlete. Sufficient amounts of protein per individual help maintain a positive nitrogen balance in the body, which is vital to muscle tissue. Protein requirements can vary significantly ranging from .8g to 2g per kilogram of body weight per day.
  • Fats help maintain energy balance, regulate hormones, and restore muscle tissue. Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that are especially important to a sports nutrition diet. Research findings recommend an athlete consume approximately 30% of their total daily caloric intake as a healthy fat.

Eating for Endurance

Endurance programs are defined as one to three hours per day of moderate to high-intensity exercise. High-energy intake in the form of carbohydrates is essential. According to research, target carbohydrate consumption for endurance athletes ranges from 6g to 10g per kilogram of body weight per day.

Fat is a secondary source of energy used during long-duration training sessions. Endurance athletes are more at risk for dehydration. Replacing fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat are necessary for peak performance.

Eating for Strength

Resistance training programs are designed to gradually build the strength of skeletal muscle. Strength training is high-intensity work. It requires sufficient amounts of all macronutrients for muscle development.

Protein intake is especially vital to increase and maintain lean body mass. Research indicates protein requirements can vary from 1.2g to 3.1g per kilogram of body weight per day.

Eating for Competition

Preparing for a competitive sport will vary in sports nutrition requirements. For example, strength athletes strive to increase lean mass and body size for their sport. Endurance runners focus on reduced body weight/fat for peak body function during their event.

Athletic goals will determine the best sports nutrition strategy. Pre and post-workout meal planning are unique for each athlete and essential for optimal performance.

Hydration and Sports Performance

Adequate hydration and electrolytes are essential for health and athletic performance. We all lose water throughout the day, but active adults and athletes lose additional body water (and a significant amount of sodium) sweating during intense workouts.

Dehydration is the process of losing body water, and fluid deficits greater than 2 percent of body weight can compromise the athletic performance and cognitive function. Athletes are recommended to use fluid replacement strategies as part of their sports nutrition to maintain optimal body functioning.

Rehydration with water and sports drinks containing sodium are often consumed depending on the athlete and sporting event. Lack of sufficient hydration for athletes may lead to the following:

  • Hypohydration (dehydration)
  • Hypovolemia (decreased plasma/blood volume)
  • Hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels/water intoxication)

Supplements in Sports Nutrition

Sports supplements and foods are unregulated products marketed to enhance athletic performance. According to the Academy of Sports Medicine, “the ethical use of sports supplements is a personal choice and remains controversial.”

There are limited supplements backed by clinical research. The Australian Institute of Sport has provided a general guide ranking sports performance supplements and foods according to the significance of scientific evidence:

  • Sports food: sports drinks, bars, and gels, electrolyte supplements, protein supplements, liquid meal supplements, and post-workout recovery foods and drinks
  • Medical supplements: iron, calcium, vitamin D, multi-vitamin/mineral, omega-3 fatty acids
  • Performance supplements: creatine, caffeine, sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine, nitrate

Special Circumstances

Sports nutrition covers a wide spectrum of needs for athletes. Certain populations and environments require additional guidelines and information to enhance athletic performance.

Vegetarian Athlete

A vegetarian diet contains high intakes of plant proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. It can be nutritionally adequate, but insufficient evidence exists on long-term vegetarianism and athletic performance.

Dietary assessments are recommended to avoid deficiencies and to ensure adequate nutrients to support athletic demands.

High Altitude

Specialized training and nutrition are required for athletes training at high altitude. Increasing red blood cells to carry more oxygen is essential. Iron-rich foods are an important component of this athlete as well.

Increased risk of illness is indicated with chronic high altitude exposure. Foods high in antioxidants and protein are essential. Fluid requirements will vary per athlete, and hydration status should be individually monitored.

Hot Environments

Athletes competing in hot conditions are at greater risk of heat illness. Heat illness can have adverse health complications. Fluid and electrolyte balance is crucial for these athletes.

Hydration strategies are required to maintain peak performance while exercising in the heat.

Cold Environments

Primary concerns for athletes exercising in the cold are adequate hydration and body temperature. Leaner athletes are at higher risk of hypothermia. Modifying caloric and carbohydrate intake is important for this athlete. Appropriate foods and fluids that withstand cold temperatures will promote optimal athletic performance.

Eating Disorders and Deficiencies

Eating disorders in athletes are not uncommon. Many athletes are required to maintain lean bodies and low body weight and exhibit muscular development. Chronic competitive pressure can create psychological and physical stress of the athlete leading to disordered eating habits.

Without proper counseling, adverse health effects may eventually develop. The most common eating disorders among athletes may include:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia
  • Compulsive exercise disorder
  • Orthorexia

Obviously, the nutritional needs of these individuals greatly differ from that of other active adults or athletes. Until someone with an eating disorder is considered well again, the primary focus should be put on treating and managing the eating disorder and consuming the nutrition needed to achieve and maintain good health, rather than athletic performance.

Micronutrient deficiencies are a concern for active adults and athletes. Exercise stresses important body functions where micronutrients are required.

Additionally, athletes often restrict calories and certain food groups, which may potentially lead to deficiencies of essential micronutrients. Research indicates the most common micronutrient deficiencies include:

  • Iron deficiency can impair muscle function and compromise athletic performance
  • Vitamin D deficiency can result in decreased bone strength and reduced muscle metabolic function
  • Calcium deficiency can impair the repair of bone tissue, decrease regulation of muscle contraction, and reduce nerve conduction

Roles of a Sports Dietitian

Athletes and active adults are seeking guidance from sports professionals to enhance their athletic performance. Sports dietitians are increasingly hired to develop nutrition and fluid programs catered to the individual athlete or teams.

A unique credential has been created for sports nutrition professionals: Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). Sports dietitians should have knowledge in the following areas:

  • Clinical nutrition
  • Counseling for health and athletic performance
  • Design and management of effective nutrition strategies
  • Effective nutrition programming for health, fitness, and optimal physical performance
  • Evidence-based research
  • Exercise physiology
  • Medical nutrition therapy
  • Nutrition science
  • Safe and effective nutrition assessments
  • Sports nutrition guidance

Looking for a sports nutritionist? The International Society of Sports Nutrition offers a reputable online directory.

A Word From Verywell

You may be an active adult exercising for health improvement or competitive athletes. Whatever the case, sports nutrition will play an important role in your success. Eating for goals is what sports nutrition is all about. It can help enhance athletic performance, improve exercise recovery, and make reaching your goals possible.

11 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Kerksick, C.M., Wilborn, C.D., Roberts, M.D. et al. ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendationsJ Int Soc Sports Nutr 15, 38 (2018). doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y

  2. Helms, E.R., Aragon, A.A. & Fitschen, P.J. Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementationJ Int Soc Sports Nutr 11, 20 (2014). doi:10.1186/1550-2783-11-20

  3. Slavin J, Carlson J. CarbohydratesAdv Nutr. 2014;5(6):760-761. Published 2014 Nov 14. doi:10.3945/an.114.006163

  4. Lonnie M, Hooker E, Brunstrom JM, et al. Protein for life: Review of optimal protein intake, sustainable dietary sources and the effect on appetite in ageing adultsNutrients. 2018;10(3):360. Published 2018 Mar 16. doi:10.3390/nu10030360

  5. Vitale K, Getzin A. Nutrition and supplement update for the endurance athlete: review and recommendationsNutrients. 2019;11(6):1289. Published 2019 Jun 7. doi:10.3390/nu11061289

  6. Mcdermott BP, Anderson SA, Armstrong LE, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Fluid replacement for the physically active. J Athl Train. 2017;52(9):877-895. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-52.9.02

  7. Australian Institute of Sport. Resources.

  8. Joy E, Kussman A, Nattiv A. 2016 update on eating disorders in athletes: A comprehensive narrative review with a focus on clinical assessment and management. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(3):154-62. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-095735

  9. Bert F, Gualano MR, Voglino G, Rossello P, Perret JP, Siliquini R. Orthorexia Nervosa: A cross-sectional study among athletes competing in endurance sports in Northern Italy. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(8):e0221399. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221399

  10. Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. American College of Sports Medicine position statement. Nutrition and athletic performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016;48(3):543-68. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000852

  11. Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) . Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics.

By Darla Leal
Darla Leal is a Master Fitness Trainer, freelance writer, and the creator of Stay Healthy Fitness, where she embraces a "fit-over-55" lifestyle.