Why Should an Athlete Develop a Nutritional and Exercise Plan ?

Athletes need to feed their bodies continually in order to perform at their peak. Practice, game, and tournament play place specific nutritional and physical demands on the athlete. These demands can be met with a welldesigned nutrition and exercise program. Achieving peak performance requires that athletes understand and implement the fundamental principles of sports nutrition and exercise science for their sport.

Key strategies for a successful performance will include preparation before, during, and after exercise. For athletes to achieve optimal performance, they must take into account the physical demands of their sport (intensity, duration, frequency), their size, and the environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) in which they practice and compete. All of these factors contribute to the sport-specific nutritional and exercise plan that will assist the athletes in achieving their athletic goals.

References : 100 Question And Answer About Sports Nutrition and Exercise, Lilah Al-Masri MS RD CSSD LD and Simon Bartlett PhD CSCS ATC