For athletes interested in increasing lean mass or muscle protein synthesis, consumption of a high-quality protein source such as whey protein or milk containing around 20 to 25 g protein in close proximity to exercise for example, within the period immediately to 2 hours after exercise may be beneficial.

As a general approach to achieving optimal protein intakes, it is suggested to space out protein intake fairly evenly over the course of a day, for instance around 25 to 30 g protein every 3 to 5 hours, including as part of regular meals. There is currently a lack of evidence to show that protein supplements directly improve athletic performance.

Therefore, for most athletes, additional protein supplements are unlikely to improve sport performance.

A well-planned diet will meet your vitamin and mineral needs. Supplements will only be of any benefit if your diet is inadequate or you have a diagnosed deficiency, such as an iron or calcium deficiency.

There is no evidence that extra doses of vitamins improve sporting performance. Nutritional supplements can be found in pill, tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form, and cover a broad range of products including:.

Before using supplements, you should consider what else you can do to improve your sporting performance — diet, training and lifestyle changes are all more proven and cost effective ways to improve your performance. Relatively few supplements that claim performance benefits are supported by sound scientific evidence.

Use of vitamin and mineral supplements is also potentially dangerous. Supplements should not be taken without the advice of a qualified health professional.

The ethical use of sports supplements is a personal choice by athletes, and it remains controversial. If taking supplements, you are also at risk of committing an anti-doping rule violation no matter what level of sport you play.

Dehydration can impair athletic performance and, in extreme cases, may lead to collapse and even death. Drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise is very important. Fluid intake is particularly important for events lasting more than 60 minutes, of high intensity or in warm conditions.

Water is a suitable drink, but sports drinks may be required, especially in endurance events or warm climates. Sports drinks contain some sodium, which helps absorption.

While insufficient hydration is a problem for many athletes, excess hydration may also be potentially dangerous. In rare cases, athletes might consume excessive amounts of fluids that dilute the blood too much, causing a low blood concentration of sodium.

This condition is called hyponatraemia, which can potentially lead to seizures, collapse, coma or even death if not treated appropriately. Consuming fluids at a level of to ml per hour of exercise might be a suitable starting point to avoid dehydration and hyponatraemia, although intake should ideally be customised to individual athletes, considering variable factors such as climate, sweat rates and tolerance.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Healthy eating. Home Healthy eating. Sporting performance and food. Actions for this page Listen Print.

Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Nutrition and exercise The link between good health and good nutrition is well established. Daily training diet requirements The basic training diet should be sufficient to: provide enough energy and nutrients to meet the demands of training and exercise enhance adaptation and recovery between training sessions include a wide variety of foods like wholegrain breads and cereals , vegetables particularly leafy green varieties , fruit , lean meat and low-fat dairy products to enhance long term nutrition habits and behaviours enable the athlete to achieve optimal body weight and body fat levels for performance provide adequate fluids to ensure maximum hydration before, during and after exercise promote the short and long-term health of athletes.

Carbohydrates are essential for fuel and recovery Current recommendations for carbohydrate requirements vary depending on the duration, frequency and intensity of exercise. Eating during exercise During exercise lasting more than 60 minutes, an intake of carbohydrate is required to top up blood glucose levels and delay fatigue.

Eating after exercise Rapid replacement of glycogen is important following exercise. Protein and sporting performance Protein is an important part of a training diet and plays a key role in post-exercise recovery and repair. For example: General public and active people — the daily recommended amount of protein is 0.

Sports people involved in non-endurance events — people who exercise daily for 45 to 60 minutes should consume between 1. Sports people involved in endurance events and strength events — people who exercise for longer periods more than one hour or who are involved in strength exercise, such as weight lifting, should consume between 1.

Athletes trying to lose weight on a reduced energy diet — increased protein intakes up to 2. While more research is required, other concerns associated with very high-protein diets include: increased cost potential negative impacts on bones and kidney function increased body weight if protein choices are also high in fat increased cancer risk particularly with high red or processed meat intakes displacement of other nutritious foods in the diet, such as bread, cereal, fruit and vegetables.

Using nutritional supplements to improve sporting performance A well-planned diet will meet your vitamin and mineral needs. Nutritional supplements can be found in pill, tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form, and cover a broad range of products including: vitamins minerals herbs meal supplements sports nutrition products natural food supplements.

Water and sporting performance Dehydration can impair athletic performance and, in extreme cases, may lead to collapse and even death. Where to get help Your GP doctor Dietitians Australia External Link Tel.

Burke L, Deakin V, Mineham M , Clinical sports nutrition External Link , McGraw-Hill, Sydney. Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. Nutrition External Link , Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Government.

Nutrition and healthy eating resources External Link , Nutrition Australia. Try topping your yogurt with some blueberries or throwing raspberries into your oatmeal.

Which is exactly why you need garlic. A huge body of research suggests that garlic can improve cholesterol ratios and reduce triglycerides, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness. And a healthy heart and body is key to keeping you in the outdoors. Raw chopped or crushed garlic contains the most beneficial compounds.

Buy prechopped garlic and save the time and mess of peeling. Two words: gut health. This fermented milk and grain drink is a probiotic bomb.

Kefir in particular may improve your immunity while cutting inflammation—keys to post-workout recovery. You can drink it straight or add it to your morning smoothie. Take our word for it : Spuds are the original superfood.

These qualities also make potatoes a killer endurance food some ultrarunners even carry bagged mashed potatoes in lieu of goos. Roast one up with a little salt for the ultimate easy and healthy side dish.

All nuts and seeds are great. They pack healthy fats and essential fatty acids and offer high levels of magnesium and selenium. The former may reduce exercise-induced extreme physical stress, while the latter is a potent antioxidant.

So why single out sunflower seeds? If you find a cheaper performance food, you probably stole it. Studies consistently show that it improves your anaerobic capacity , endurance , power output , and reaction time while reducing your perception of exercise-induced suffering.

But beware: Using caffeine is a little more nuanced than just pounding espressos. Search Search.

Monitor your hydration. Check your urine: Look at how much and what color your urine is. It should be a light yellow, like lemonade, not clear. Monitor your weight loss around practice: If appropriate, you can weigh yourself before and after you play.

Weight loss during activity will generally only be from sweating. Train your gut. Here are some steps to take: Determine if you should be fueling during your training.

You can use the guidance provided above or meet with a sports dietitian. Select the products you will be using on race day or during an event, such as sports drinks, gels or others.

Choose carbohydrate-containing sports drinks and gels for sessions under hours. Solid foods work better for longer activity sessions. Begin practicing using the products early in your training, during activity sessions per week. This is not something to begin right before a competition or race.

Gradually increase carbohydrates per hour each week until you hit your target. Most athletes may benefit from consuming grams of carbs per hour of training.

Keep a journal of what you consume and how you feel. Note how it affects your energy, digestion, performance and recovery from training.

Get advice from a sports dietitian familiar with intra-workout fueling. You may also be interested in. Dec 20, Explore more news, events and media.

All News Releases. Patient Stories. Request An Appointment Call Back to Top. I'm a patient or exploring care Back. The lack of oxygenation can affect your heart rate and immune function. Squash and pumpkin seeds are a great source of plant-based iron.

Intense exercise can be hard on your body. Proper recovery is essential to improving your strength. Healthy fats and foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals can help improve immune and thyroid function.

They can also protect and repair bones and connective tissue. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of proteins, fats, and other essential nutrients.

According to the Mayo Clinic , Brazil nuts are high in nutrients that help control blood pressure, such as:. Eating just a few Brazil nuts each day can stimulate your natural recovery processes and help you build and maintain strong bones and muscles.

A healthy and varied diet containing whole-food carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and abundant plant sources rich in micronutrients and antioxidants will provide the best balance of nutrition for optimal performance.

Targeting heart rate zones as you exercise is one way to maximize the benefits you get from your workouts. Learn about your different heart rate zones…. There are several causes of numbness in your toes and feet when you run, ranging from poor-fitting shoes to health conditions like diabetes.

For people who run or do other aerobic exercises on a regular basis, starting up a low heart rate training program may be frustrating at first. The average 5K time depends on a few factors, including age, sex, and fitness level.

But, you can expect to finish a 5K in roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Thinking about using an AI tool like ChatGPT to help you get in shape? Here are the pros and cons health experts say you should consider. We're testing the Lululemon product for you and weighing in on whether the trend has past or if it's still worth the hype.

When designing a workout, it's important to move in all of the body's planes. What are they? Here's an anatomy primer to help. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? As school and fall sports swing into full gear, so do sore muscles and fatigue.

When muscles are pushed beyond limits and the body grows tired, injuries are far more likely to happen. So how can you help? Fuel your athlete with the right foods to help with inflammation and energy.

Besides stretching, food can really help with reducing muscle soreness. Eating a combination of protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes after exercise is important for recovery.

The amount depends on duration and intensity of exercise. For most athletes, 15 to 30 g of protein and two to four times that amount of carbohydrates are recommended. The post-exercise snack should be followed by a larger meal from all food groups within two hours.