Athletic Performance & Nutrition Needs: Introduction
In this section we will shed light on the vast amount of misinformation that exists in regard to nutrition in the media, on the Internet, and in almost every facet of the athletic community. We will discuss how misinformation can be potentially harmful to the health of athletes. The physical and psychological harm that can arise in many young athletes will further be reviewed. In particular, we look at the potential harm to female athletes in a dynamic known as the female athlete triad.
In an effort to bring sound nutrition into practice, we will debunk some common myths upheld by the sports nutrition community. We will also outline the practice of carbohydrate loading prior to major competitions. Because fluid replacement is also a key factor to performance and training at all levels, we will discuss the parameters of adequate hydration.