Understanding sports nutrition can help elevate your performance during competitive sports events. Sports nutrition is different than regular nutritional needs. When you look at regular nutrition, it is based on an average adult with average activity levels. Sports nutrition gets more personalized since the nutritional needs can vary a lot from one athlete to another. Sports nutrition refers to the nutritional needs that you personally need to be successful and competitive in your individualized sport.
Muscular strength training is one area where sports nutrition plays a big role. When you want to build muscle, your body requires more protein than the average adult to support new muscle growth and to support recovery of your strength workouts. Your carbohydrates intake will be lower than the average adult to help your body lean out while achieving muscular strength. If you do not alter your nutrition and eat too many carbs and not enough protein during the muscular growth process, you will not be able to achieve the results that you want. Nutrition supports the fitness. You cannot have one without the other.
If you are an endurance athlete, such as a distance runner, your sports nutrition will vary greatly from your strength training friends. Your body will need more carbs for energy to get you through your workouts and to prevent the total depletion of the glycogen stores in your body. Your sports nutrition will also include sports drinks to keep your electrolytes in balance. If your potassium, magnesium, or sodium levels become too low, you will suffer from cramps, possible gastro-intestinal issues, and dehydration. All of these are possible factors that could take you out of a sports event or marathon if you do not handle your sports nutrition with care.
Sports nutrition is something that fitness trainers with nutrition and wellness certification can assist you with when you are ready to take your workouts to the next level. Even individuals who are not competitive can feel better and achieve overall greater health with proper sports nutrition. Sports nutrition and natural nutritionist certification are popular degree options for anyone wanting to work in the fitness and health industry. Individuals are aware of the connection to greater health through proper nutrition. Keeping your macros in balance for an active person or athlete can sometimes be tricky as your own training can have peaks of high intensity.
Use a sports nutritionist to help you elevate your workouts and performance and take your training to the next level. ASFA offers two sports nutrition certification opportunities with Advanced Sports Nutrition Certification and Sports Nutrition Certification. Click below to get started today!
