"sports nutrition"

[Richard Cranium]

What is "sports nutrition"? I thought nutrition is nutrition.
A good diet is a good diet, right?

[RWTD]

Sports nutrition generally refers to supplements to the diet designed to aid athletic performance or recovery.They are often highly refined and unbalanced combinations of nutrients and sometimes even drugs that at times can be appropriate usually immediately before ,during or after exercise for convenience,ease of digestion etc. but are no substitute for a balanced whole food diet.You should generally consider sports nutrition after you have got your diet in order as a supplement or ergonomic aid not as a substitute for proper nutrition.The ones I use are whey protein for general nutrition(to which I always add whole foods to balance out into a "meal replacement" shake) and creatine for weight training. Many cyclists use a dextrose and/or maltodextrin based sports drink with electrolytes for speed/recovery and I occasionally do but prefer unfiltered honey and dried fruit for speed and oatmeal /fruit for recovery glycogen/electrolyte replacement.

[Maelstrom]

Originally posted by Richard Cranium
What is "sports nutrition"? I thought nutrition is nutrition.
A good diet is a good diet, right?

Good nutrition is exactly what you need to do basic daily things that people do. Sedendary people require basic nutrition but active people or athletic people wouldn't progress as much without a different approach to nutrition then say...my father.

Sports nutrition requires much more. More calories as athletes usually run at a deficet due to training (sp). Different ratios of carbs, proteins and fat to enchance performance and/or recovery depending on training goals. Supplements to do basically all of the above.

[RacerX]

Yes, Maelstrom has the right idea. You need to change the ratios of everything for sports nutrition--as it relates to cycling in this case. When, what, how much and what else in addition to the normal diet. Those are all q's that need to be adjusted for cyclists and ones on a more intense program or light will differ also.

Someone mentioned creatine and I would advise you to look into it before taking it. There are no long term studies so you, in effect, are the guniea pig for creatine. Also, there maybe other negative effects--do a google search and read up just for your own edification.

[RWTD]

I am aware of the research on creatine .It can become carcinagenic when heated at high temperatures so I would advise not cooking meat at high temperatures because it contains creatine.It can also supposedly cause cramping at high doses without sufficient hydration but I don't use it in that manner. Also as I may have somewhat misread the original question I agree that athletes have differing nutrition needs from others that must be meet from the diet but I feel this can and optimally should be done largely through unrefined foods with sports nutrition "supplements" used strategically where convenience, ease of digestion etc. is a factor.

[oxologic]

Sports nutrition is supposed to be a branch of sports science??

Well, it just helps you to get into the next workout with a better start. This is especially when your workouts are tough or long ones.

About supplements like creatine and glutamine, I don't have much knowledge about that. In fact, I'm seriously worried about the side-effects, especially long-term ones.

Choose whatever you are going to use carefully and wisely, normal stuff like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, go ahead. As for things like steroids or creatine, take care and it will be best to seek the doctor's advice.

[RWTD]

Creatine and glutamine are naturally occurring substances used by the body for energy production and recovery respectively not drugs in fact glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid meaning it can becomes essential during intense activity where it is depleted.As with any substances including protein,carbs and fats it is important to use them wisely however if used appropriately and in moderation I don't feel doctor's supervision here is necessary unless you have some other preexisting condition etc. I take approx. 5grams of creatine before an intense workout when I weight train and note I don't eat much meat or other natural sources of creatine.As for glutamine I would take a similar amount after intense weighttraining however I don't as I get plenty of glutamine from whey protein supplementation.It also has been shown to raise growth hormone output taken on an empty stomack before bed.I agree on a doctors supervision for steroid "drugs" and I note that doctors are increasing prescribing synthetic testosterone (ie steroids)for aging men with low test levels.

[Richard Cranium]

I thought nutrition was the study of balancing diet and consumption so as not to cause disease.

Should "sports nutrition" be more accurately described as "Sport Supplementation" or "Sport Dieting"?

[RacerX]

Originally posted by oxologic
Sports nutrition is supposed to be a branch of sports science??

Well, it just helps you to get into the next workout with a better start. This is especially when your workouts are tough or long ones.

About supplements like creatine and glutamine, I don't have much knowledge about that. In fact, I'm seriously worried about the side-effects, especially long-term ones.

Choose whatever you are going to use carefully and wisely, normal stuff like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, go ahead. As for things like steroids or creatine, take care and it will be best to seek the doctor's advice.
This is absolutely true. There are no long term studies. It is ridiculous to say that just because the supplement market is basically unregulated in the USA that it is safe. That is wrong.
There are alot of naturally occuring substances in our bodies; cortisone, adrenaline, red blood cells. Adding additional amounts of these are considered illegal. Just because something is natural doesn't mean anything. Most narcotics are all-natural.
As a % of the population that uses "new" and "advanced" supplements to enhance health and performance, you need to take the extra steps of research and careful thought into what you are putting into your body.
At the very least, you are simply wasting money. At the worst, you are putting your health in serious jeopardy.

[RWTD]

Aparently you have not read the research on creatine as numerous studies have proven its effectiveness and I have used it for at least 5years with good results.Having said that I agree the many of the overhyped/marketed"sports supplements masquerading as "sports nutrition"are either totally ineffective or simply ovepriced nutrients you can get much cheaper elsewhere.