Sport nutrition plays an essential role in sports and athlete performance. When it comes to nutrition, there is no restriction in age or gender. All athletes need nutrition in order to achieve and perform at their highest potential in sports and fitness. Over the past four decades, there has been a significant increase in female participation in sports. In that significant increase of female participation, is has been a similar increase in sports-related injuries and conditions (Matzkin, 2015). One condition that stands out in female athletes is the Female Athlete Triad. The female athlete triad is a spectrum disorder characterized by correlated dysfunction in energy availability, menstrual function, and bone mineral density (BMD). Although,
…show more content…
Most female athletes do not get the adequate amount of nutrition that is required for them to maintain good health and nutritional status. Athletes do not consume the proper amount of meals and snacks a day that is recommended for caloric and nutrient intake. They should consume at least 5 meals and at least two snacks a day. Female athletes usually report eating only 3 meals a day with no snacks or even only just snacking throughout the day with only consuming one meal (Shriver, 2012) Athletes need effective nutrition interventions with a dietician, nutritionist, or even some type of therapy (Shriver, 2012 & Abood, …show more content…
Proper dietary intake of macronutrients, vitamins, and hydration contribute to improve female athletes’ health status as it relates to the female athlete triad. They should consume at least 50 to 60% of carbohydrates. It contributes to supplying energy to athletes while performing in high intensity workouts and sport performance and helps retain blood glucose and muscle glycogen. Dietary fat intake of 20 to 25% for athlete are good for producing hormones, providing nutrients to the blood, and maintaining tissue damage during exercise. For protein intake, they should consume at least 0.8 to 1.2 g/kg of protein of their body weight per day. Vitamins help provide energy, bone health, immune functioning, and a balanced diet. Hydration is essential to exercise for sport performance. They should come at least 96 to 128 ounces of fluid a day (Cotugna,
Most female athletes do not get the adequate amount of nutrition that is required for them to maintain good health and nutritional status. Athletes do not consume the proper amount of meals and snacks a day that is recommended for caloric and nutrient intake. They should consume at least 5 meals and at least two snacks a day. Female athletes usually report eating only 3 meals a day with no snacks or even only just snacking throughout the day with only consuming one meal (Shriver, 2012) Athletes need effective nutrition interventions with a dietician, nutritionist, or even some type of therapy (Shriver, 2012 & Abood, …show more content…
Proper dietary intake of macronutrients, vitamins, and hydration contribute to improve female athletes’ health status as it relates to the female athlete triad. They should consume at least 50 to 60% of carbohydrates. It contributes to supplying energy to athletes while performing in high intensity workouts and sport performance and helps retain blood glucose and muscle glycogen. Dietary fat intake of 20 to 25% for athlete are good for producing hormones, providing nutrients to the blood, and maintaining tissue damage during exercise. For protein intake, they should consume at least 0.8 to 1.2 g/kg of protein of their body weight per day. Vitamins help provide energy, bone health, immune functioning, and a balanced diet. Hydration is essential to exercise for sport performance. They should come at least 96 to 128 ounces of fluid a day (Cotugna,