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Dietary Strategies for Athletes

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2025) | Viewed by 2375

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
Interests: sports nutrition; athletes; soprts performance; coaching education; teaching pedagogy; health and wellness
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, PQ J1K 2R1, Canada
Interests: exercise; hydration and exercise; protein metabolism; human performance; sarcopenia; insulin sensitivity; aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many athletes seek to move on to higher levels of competition or become professionals in their sport, while others desire optimal athletic performance on a daily basis. In order to achieve these types of goals, athletes tend to train year-round to improve their physical skills, while also taking steps to avoid injury. However, an emphasis should also be placed on proper nutrition and hydration. The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight recent research examining aspects of sports nutrition as they relate to nutritional intake and hydration in athletes to maximize health, wellness and performance. Manuscript submissions of original research, meta-analyses or reviews of the scientific literature which targets dietary strategies that benefit athletic performance and health are welcome. Studies performed in humans are preferred given the applied nature of this issue.

Prof. Dr. Shelley L. Holden
Prof. Dr. Éric Goulet
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • athletes
  • exercise
  • sports performance
  • exercise physiology
  • athlete health
  • nutrition
  • dietary strategies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1592 KiB  
Article
Equalizing the Playing Field and Improving School Food Literacy Programs Through the Eyes of Teens: A Grounded Theory Analysis Using a Gender and Sport Participation Lens
by Alysha L. Deslippe, Coralie Bergeron, Olivia Y. Wu and Tamara R. Cohen
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040685 - 14 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background: School food literacy programs (e.g., home economics) are an opportunity to improve the dietary habits of teens. However, the literature suggests that girls and athletes have better food literacy, and it is not clear how school programs contribute to this inequality. [...] Read more.
Background: School food literacy programs (e.g., home economics) are an opportunity to improve the dietary habits of teens. However, the literature suggests that girls and athletes have better food literacy, and it is not clear how school programs contribute to this inequality. To address this, we explored how gender and sport influenced teens’ perspectives of their school food literacy experiences and how they can be improved. Methods: Using semi-structured interviews and a Grounded Theory analysis, we generated a theoretical understanding of how to improve school food literacy programs for athletes and non-athletes of diverse genders. Thirty-three teens were recruited to balance sport participation (n = 18 athletes) and gender (n = 15 boys; n = 14 girls; n = 4 non-binary) based on data saturation. Results: Teens expressed four categories to improve school programs that aligned with principles of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviours (COM-B) Model of behaviour change. Programs should Provide a challenge (e.g., more advanced recipes), Make it fun (e.g., explore new cuisines in interactive ways) and Establish importance (e.g., health impacts). Practice is key for teens’ self-confidence and development of food skills (e.g., meal planning) as well. Boys emphasized Make it fun whereas girls and non-binary teens emphasized Establishing importance. Athletes valued Practice is key more than non-athletes. Conclusions: School programs should relay the importance of food literacy in fun and tailored ways to teens (e.g., meal planning among athletes). It may be especially salient for programs to tailor their activities and messaging, where possible, to appeal to diverse teens who play sports and those who do not. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Athletes)
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14 pages, 1383 KiB  
Article
High-Carbohydrate Energy Intake During a Round of Golf-Maintained Blood Glucose Levels, Inhibited Energy Deficiencies, and Prevented Fatigue: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group Comparison Study
by Yosuke Nagashima, Kiyohiro Ehara, Yoshitomo Ehara, Ayana Mitsume, Yuhei Uchikoba and Shigeru Mineo
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4120; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234120 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1215
Abstract
Objectives: This study primarily aimed to examine the optimal amount of carbohydrates in the effects of high-isomaltulose and high-sucrose ingestion compared with low-sucrose ingestion on blood glucose levels. The secondary objective was to assess the changes in blood glucose levels that may impact [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study primarily aimed to examine the optimal amount of carbohydrates in the effects of high-isomaltulose and high-sucrose ingestion compared with low-sucrose ingestion on blood glucose levels. The secondary objective was to assess the changes in blood glucose levels that may impact golf-related performance. Methods: This study included 29 healthy male competitive golfers playing 18 holes. These participants were randomly assigned to the low-sucrose (LSUC, 30.9 g/h of carbohydrates), high-sucrose (HSUC, 44.2 g/h of carbohydrates), and high-isomaltulose (HISO, 44.5 g/h of carbohydrates) groups. They were required to continuously consume the test food during the round. Assessment items included blood glucose, golf performance, urinary urea nitrogen, subjective ratings (concentration, fatigue, and relaxation), and anxiety ratings. A main effect of the test meal of changes in interstitial glucose concentration was determined. Results: The HSUC had significantly more interstitial glucose than the HISO and LSUC, while the HISO group had a much lower decrease in urine urea nitrogen than the LSUC group. In subjective fatigue, the main effect of the test diet was observed, and the HSUC and HISO showed significantly lower values than the LSUC after 18 h. Conclusions: Compared with low-carbohydrate intake, high-carbohydrate intake during a round of golf-maintained the blood glucose levels and prevented fatigue. Therefore, this study indicates that competitive golfers need a high-carbohydrate intake of approximately 44 g/h for energy intake during a round of golf. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Athletes)
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