The nutrition requirements of athletes vary considerably based on individual characteristics and game and training requirements of their sport. Even within a sport, individuals may have different...

The nutrition requirements of athletes vary considerably based on individual characteristics and game and training requirements of their sport. Even within a sport, individuals may have different requirements depending on their role within a team, or the specific event in which they compete. The purpose of this task is to demonstrate your understanding of nutrients and energy systems in relation to sport by preparing nutrition guidelines for athletes participating in a particular sporting activity.




TASK DESCRIPTION
To develop your sports nutrition guidelines, please select one sport of your choice.


Your task is to learn about the demands of the sport, and develop a set of recommendations for food and hydration pre-, during and post-competition. The guidelines should be approximately 600 words in length, and designed for an audience with limited food and nutrition knowledge. In your guidelines, you should describe the sport and related energy systems, and provide recommendations for food and hydration pre-, during and post-competition. Your recommendations should be practical and realistic in relation to the cost, accessibility and preparation required of the food suggested.


For example, recreational marathon running guidelines would explain that marathon running is a sub-maximal activity that uses both fat and carbohydrate as fuel. Races may last for several hours, fully deplete glycogen stores, and lead to large sodium and water losses through perspiration.  Recommendations are to consume low-fibre carbohydrate rich foods and plenty of water in the day leading up to the event, consume fluids, electrolytes and sources of carbohydrate such as sports drinks during the event, and recover with sources of protein, carbohydrate, sodium and fluid after the event (note that you are expected to provide specific food examples).


For examples of some reputable sports nutrition guidelines, please see http://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/


Your factsheet should be completed in a Word document, you can make your factsheet as engaging and visually appealing to your audience as you like.