weeks 6-8 Flashcards

(71 cards)

1
Q

What are the two primary objectives of sports nutrition?

A

Develop a suitable diet to support the physical stress of training and enable optimal adaptation and recovery.

Develop a competition-specific diet to maximise performance (before, during, after competition).

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2
Q

What is nutritional periodisation, and why is it important?

A

Nutritional periodisation involves adapting dietary intake in alignment with training phases (e.g., intensity, duration, competition period) to optimise performance, recovery, and physiological adaptations.

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3
Q

What are the key steps in developing a nutrition plan for an athlete?

A

Planning

Developing (meeting energy needs)

Implementing (monitoring performance)

Controlling food quantity, quality, and timing

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4
Q

What are some consequences of poor nutritional planning in athletes?

A

Muscle glycogen depletion

Hypoglycaemia

Dehydration

Gastrointestinal discomfort

Hyponatremia

Fatigue and poor performance

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5
Q

What is the difference between catabolic and anabolic reactions in metabolism?

A

Catabolic: Breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing ATP (e.g., during high-intensity activity)

Anabolic: Builds larger molecules using ATP, supports recovery and growth (e.g., protein synthesis)

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6
Q

Give two examples of anabolic reactions relevant to sports performance.

A

Protein synthesis for muscle repair

Glycogen synthesis to replenish energy stores

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7
Q

What is ATP and why is it essential in exercise?

A

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the body’s energy currency, providing energy for all forms of physical activity.

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8
Q

How is ATP resynthesised in the aerobic system?

A

Through aerobic glycolysis, where glucose or fat is oxidised using oxygen, producing ATP, CO₂, and H₂O.

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9
Q

What are the three energy systems and their primary characteristics?

A

ATP-PC (phosphagen): Short, explosive efforts (0–10s), anaerobic, uses stored phosphocreatine.

Glycolytic (lactic acid): Moderate-duration high-intensity activity (10s–2min), anaerobic, produces lactate.

Aerobic (oxidative): Long-duration low-moderate intensity (>2min), uses oxygen to oxidise carbs and fats.

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10
Q

Match these activities to the dominant energy system used: Javelin Throw, 800m Run, 5k Run, AFL Match.

A

Javelin Throw – ATP-PC

800m Run – Glycolytic

5k Run – Aerobic

AFL Match – All three (ATP-PC, Glycolytic, Aerobic)

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11
Q

Define energy, power, and work in the context of exercise.

A

Energy: Capacity to do work

Power: Rate at which work is done (how quickly energy is used)

Work: Application of force over a distance (physical effort)

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12
Q

How do these concepts relate to exercise intensity and duration?

A

High-intensity = high power demand

Long-duration = sustained energy/work over time

All three are balanced differently depending on the sport.

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13
Q

How do the energy systems interact during physical activity?

A

They operate simultaneously but with varying dominance depending on activity intensity and duration. E.g., a rugby player may shift from ATP-PC for sprints to aerobic for jogging.

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14
Q

Why is it important for athletes to train all energy systems?

A

Because most sports require dynamic transitions between systems. Training all ensures consistent ATP resynthesis and optimal performance.

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15
Q

What causes muscle fatigue in the glycolytic system?

A

Accumulation of lactate due to insufficient oxygen, which converts pyruvate into lactate.

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16
Q

How is lactic acid removed from the body?

A

Via transport to the liver where it’s converted back into glucose (gluconeogenesis).

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17
Q

When does the aerobic system become the dominant energy system?

A

During low-moderate intensity activity lasting more than 2 minutes.

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18
Q

What nutrients support aerobic energy production?

A

Carbohydrates (glycogen stores)

Fats (sustained energy)

Proteins (recovery and repair)

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19
Q

What are the macronutrient recommendations for athletes?

A

Carbs: 6–10 g/kg bodyweight

Protein: 1.2–1.7 g/kg bodyweight

Fat: 20–30% of total energy intake

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20
Q

What happens if an athlete’s energy intake doesn’t meet expenditure?

A

Can result in energy imbalance leading to fatigue, reduced performance, poor recovery, or risk of injury.

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21
Q

What are the key goals of sports nutrition across different types of athletic performance?

A

Support training adaptations through adequate macronutrient intake.
Maximise performance by fuelling the body with energy-dense, nutrient-rich foods.
Enhance recovery with proper timing of carbohydrate and protein intake.
Prevent under-fuelling, especially in female athletes (e.g., Female Athlete Triad).
Optimise hydration to maintain focus, decision making, and physical capacity.

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22
Q

What is the Female Athlete Triad and why is it important in sports nutrition?

A

The Female Athlete Triad is a condition marked by:
Low energy availability (with or without disordered eating)
Menstrual dysfunction
Low bone mineral density
These factors can lead to serious health issues such as infertility, low bone strength, and impaired recovery.

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23
Q

What makes nutrition for combination sports complex?

A

Use of all three energy systems (ATP-PC, glycolytic, aerobic).
Variations in training phases (pre-season vs. late season).
Player roles and positions impact nutritional needs.

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24
Q

How do male and female athletes differ nutritionally?

A

Hormones, body composition, iron levels all impact nutrition.
Female athletes need more iron due to menstruation.

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25
Why do different positions within the same sport require different nutrition plans?
Energy demands vary based on role (e.g., goalkeeper vs midfielder). Training load and intensity differ by position.
26
How many calories/kj should someone consume in a day?
8700kj 2000 cal
27
How do you convert from cals to kj
x4.184
28
How do you calculate the total energy from a specific macronutrient?
o Fat → 37 Kj/g x amount o Alcohol → 29 Kj/g x amount o Carbohydrates & Protein → 17 Kj/g x amount
29
What is at the heart of ATP production?
anabolic and catabolic reactions
30
During metabolism, synthesised compounds are broken into what:
energy, water, CO2
31
ATP is one energy source. What are the other two?
* Triglycerides o Stored in adipose tissue and hyrolyzed though lipolysis into glycerol and free fatty acids o These are transported through the blood to other tissues (e.g skeletal muscle) o Fat stored in skeletal muscle = source of additional energy * Carbohydrates o Stored as glycogen in liver and skeletal muscles o Muscle glycogen can very between 250-750g between people o Carbohydrate oxidation = first form of energy utalised o Long periods of exercise = exhaust glycogen stores = fatigue during exercise
32
Outline how ATP is resynthesised/how each of the energy systems work: ATP-PC
a. When the energy from an ATP molecule is released, one of the phosphate groups (3 O2 atoms, 1 phosphate) splits away b. Remaining molecule = ADP c. When PC (phosphocreatine), found in muscle cells, reacts with ADP it donates a phosphate group to the ADP molecule = now ATP again, and PC molecule become creatine d. For this reaction to take place, an enzyme called creatine kinase must be present .
33
Outline how ATP is resynthesised/how each of the energy systems work: Anaerobic Glycolytic system
Glycolysis provides the needed ATP to sustain high-intensity effort for approx. 2mins or less Catabolic breakdown of glucose (from carbohydrates)  pyruvate  producing ATP and NADH When O2 is limited, pyruvate is converted into lactate  muscle fatigue
34
Outline how ATP is resynthesised/how each of the energy systems work: Anaerobic System
a. Happens through a process of aerobic (uses oxygen) glycolysis (nb – lactate system uses anerobic glycolysis) b. Glycogen stores are used to synthesise ATP. Oxygen is needed, and H2O and C2O are expelled into the blood as biproducts. Expulsion of biproducts prevents muscle fatigue c. Fat stores can be used (instead of glycogen) to synthesise ATP, but more oxygen is needed = not favourable for only moderate exercise, usually only takes over when glycogen stores are gone/after 2 hours of exercise d. Protein can also be used in times of famine
35
Outline the diets suggested for athletes depending on which energy system they mainly use:
ATP-PC For athletes doing exercise relying on this system, a diet rich in creatine from red meat and fish is key. Helps regenerate phosphocreatine stores = enhance performance in short burst activities Glycolytic High in carbohydrates to provide enough for glucose breakdown Post-exercise – carbohydrates helps replenish glycogen stores Aerobic Carbohydrates for glycogen stores Healthy fats for sustained energy Proteins for muscle repair and recovery
36
How do effective nutrition plans stimulate both anabolic and catabolic processes?
o Catabolic – meet energy demands for high intensity activity o Anabolic – nutrition facilitates anabolic reactions for recovery and growth
37
How does ATP production improve with system?
* Well trained athlete can produce up to x2 of an untrained person’s ATP production/min
38
Outline the nutritional requirements for endurance athletes before an event:
 During moderate exercise (e.g., around 1 hour per day), athletes should consume 5–7 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day.  During heavier training periods (1–3 hours of moderate to high-intensity exercise per day), athletes should increase their carbohydrate intake to 6–10 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.  During the heaviest training and competition periods, it is recommended that athletes increase their carbohydrate intake to 8–12 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.  The goal is to maximize carbohydrate stores in the body without overconsuming and creating an energy surplus. On the day: Inject 1-4g/kg of bodyweight of carbs in the 3-4 hours before competition
39
Outline the recommendations for endurance athletes during competition
o General guidelines during competition  Shorter events (>90 mins) * consume diet rich in carbohydrates with approximately 6g/kg of body weight per day during training periods * Increase to 7-12g/kg of body weight per day 24 hours prior competition  Endurance events (around 1-2.5 hours) * 30-60g of carbohydrate per hour should be consumed (drink solution preferable)  Endurance events (>2.5 hours) * Carbohydrate intake should increase to 60-70g per hour or 90g per hour is possible
40
Outline the recommendations for endurance athletes after competition
 Main guideline – eat all the macronutrients and high levels of antioxidants  Rehydration – 1.5l of water/kg lost  Must replenish glycogen stores as soon as possible after an event – even in well trained athletes these can take up to 24 hours to replenish  Protein consumption is important for recovery and adaptation – lack of protein leads to soreness, fatigue and longer adaptation period
42
What are the aims of a strength and power athlete's diet? For that reason, what should the diet look like?
o Build, maintain and repair lean body mass to support optimal health and enhance performance. o Eat a minimally-processed and well-balanced diet consisting primarily of whole foods and steering clear of added sugars, fats and salt. o Follow a well-designed nutrition plan to complement and support training adaptations. * Diets for strength and power should be: o High in energy o High in protein o Contain carbohydrates o Meals should be consumed frequently rather than spaced over long periods
43
Why can't strength and power athletes just eat load of protein and call it a day?
o To increase muscle mass, this must be accompanied by resistance training  Body must have enough energy for these workouts  Otherwise can lead to fatigue or body catabolising muscle tissue for energy
44
What are the diet requirements for strength and power athletes and why?
- 4-5 meals a day with 20-25g of high value protein for highest protein retention - 4-7g/kg of bodyweight of carbohydrates = fuel workouts
45
Strength and power athletes want to grow muscle as fast as they can. What factors can we control to impact this?
Nutrition timing Types of food Training
46
Strength and power athletes want to grow muscle as fast as they can. Outline recommendations for pre-workout nutrition that focuses on muscle growth.
- pre-workout should have both protein and carbs - Research shows that high-protein foods are crucial for recovery, whilst carbohydrates are needed for supporting training. There should be 20-25g of protein per meal/evenly spread through the day (NB, this is a general guideline, different card states about 30g/meal)
47
Strength and power athletes want to grow muscle as fast as they can. Outline recommendations for post-workout nutrition that focuses on muscle growth.
o Muscle protein synthesis accelerates after exercise as it was suppressed during exercise and the body repairs and adapts to the training stimuli o Evidence suggests a 2 hour window after heavy training = should try to consume protein within 30 minutes of training o Carbohydrates support the reduction of muscle breakdown and support recovery for building size and strength o Must consume sufficient levels of protein, paired with carbs  Carbs = used for energy  Protein leftover = if there’s too little, will just be used for normal bodily function, extra protein causes growth
48
why does protein have a protective effect against weight gain?
* Consuming animal protein has an anabolic effect, even without training o Due to high leucine levels
49
What are the nutritional requirements for combination sports all year round:
 consume high levels of carbohydrates for optimal glycogen stores  eat enough protein for recovery and adaption to training  eat carbohydrates during prolonged training sessions  maintain fluid intake
50
What are the nutritional requirements for combination sports during competition:
 Consume a pre-competition meal  Manage fluid and carbohydrate intake during the event  Replenish fuel reserves and rehydrate between competitors  Plan optimal nutrition  Consume alcohol in moderation , especially after competition
51
By following recommendations, how much muscle can someone gain per week? Will this always be the case?
0.25-0.5kg increase in muscle mass per week in the initial training stages o As body adapts to changes, these increases plateau but means it is harder to lose muscle mass gained
52
I weigh 60kg and I'm an athlete in endurance sports. How many carbs should I consume?
Lower limit: 5 x 60 = 300g/day Higher limit: 7 x 60 = 420g/day
53
Why is starving yourself not a good way of boosting metabolism?
 Providing the body with little energy, the body will enter a survival state - will slow down energy expenditure to conserve resources  This called metabolic adaptation or adaptive thermogenesis  This can persist even after the diet ends
54
What are methods to boost metabolism?
Increase muscle mass (muscle burns x3 more kj/day than fat) Increase intensity of workouts - elevate metabolic rate up to 48hours after (afterburn effect) Consume more whole foods - have a higher thermic effect, protein has highest thermic effect (20%. carbs only 10%, fats, 0%) Drink more water - DEBATED but drinking 500ml of water increased metabolic rate by 30% for an hour, burning an extra 100 kj Drink caffeine - caffeine is a stimulant, 100mg of caffeine can increase BMR by up to 4% over 150 minutes o = an extra 250-300kj/day for someone on an 8700 kj diet
55
What are the dangers of extreme weight loss? short and long term
Short term Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, kidney damage muscle loss, fatigue, impaired cognitive function and reduced athlete performance Longer term chronic dehydration, metabolic issues, damages to organs like liver and heart, eating disorders, RED-S (sport imbalance between intake and expenditure)
56
What are strategies for safe and effective weight management?
 Gradual calorie deficit * Aim for a minor daily energy deficit of 1000-1500kj which equates to lose about 0.5kg per week * A reduced energy deficit should still maintain a high protein intake to ensure athletes don’t lose muscle mass * Gradual approach retains muscles mass and supports performance  Off-season weight loss * Try to lose weight during the off-season or less intense training periods * Allows athletes to focus on gradual weight loss without compromising performance  Balanced nutrition * Avoid crash diets and ensure balanced intake of nutrients * Cutting calories too drastically can lead to nutrient deficiencies and increased risk of injury and impaired recovery  Hydration * Dehydration can severely impact performance and health * Drink lots of water and void diuretics or excessive sweating methods  Professional guidance * Work with a sports nutritionist to create a personalised and sustainable weight management plan * They can help ensure that the athlete’s nutritional needs are met while achieving weight goals  Mindful eating * Practice mindful eating habits, such as eating slowly, paying attention to hunger cues and avoiding emotional eating * This prevents overeating and supports a healthy relationship with food
57
What is recovery nutrition?
 Recovery encompasses three components * Restoration o Returning body back to normal physiological state – normalising heart rate, blood pressure and body temp * Regeneration o Recovery of physiological processes o Like muscle repair, where our body heals any mirco-damage caused by intense exercise * Adaptation o How our body adjusts to the stresses of training of competition, improving for the next session o How we get stronger, faster and more endureable over time
58
What did the jump study reveal about recovery needs?
Athletes doing fewer jumps (3×6) recovered faster than those doing more (3×12), who hadn't recovered even 48 hours later.
59
What are the key nutritional strategies for effective recovery across the following timeframes: Immediately after In the Hours after If there is no break
A: 🟩 Immediately After Exercise Consume 30–60g of carbohydrates (e.g., banana, sports drink) Take 20–30g of protein (e.g., protein shake) Purpose: Replenish glycogen stores and provide amino acids for muscle repair Jumpstarts anabolic processes and recovery 🟨 In the Hours Following Exercise Carbohydrates: 1–1.2g/kg of body weight per hour Protein: 0.25g/kg of body weight within 2 hours Purpose: Maximise glycogen resynthesis and support muscle repair and growth 🟧 When Recovery Time is Short (Less than 4 Hours) Carbohydrates: 1.2g/kg (preferably high glycemic index foods for quick absorption) Examples: Glucose gels, sports drinks, fruit lollies Caffeine: 3–8mg/kg of body weight can accelerate glycogen resynthesis Carb:Protein Ratio: Use a 4:1 ratio to optimise both glycogen and muscle recovery
60
Outline the physiological and psychological markers of poor recovery
* Physiological markers o Increased muscle tenderness o Elevated heartrate o Hard to perform at peak levels o Lack of appetite even though body needs fuel o More colds – decreased immunity * Psychological markers o Disturbed sleep o Irritable o Depression and anxiety about performance o Loss of motivation o Mental fatigue
61
When is the best time to consume protein and carbohydrates for recovery?
There is a window after exercise where our bodies are primed to absorb nutrients and start the recovery process – for sports with breaks, these should be utalised for refuelling = o Kick-start anabolic processes and adaptations, reducing muscle wastage and improving recovery and adaptation
62
How do antioxidants assist with recovery?
* Antioxidants help speed up recovery by reducing inflammation o During training phases, might want to limit antioxidant use to allow for full adaptation * Vitamins A, C and E acts as antioxidants – supporting overall health
63
Outline hydration for recovery guidelines
o Replace every kg of weight loss with 1.5l of water o If weight loss is more than 3% bodyweight – use electrolyte drinks to replace minerals lost through sweat o Should aim for pale yellow urine
64
How can we protect our immune system through recovery nutrition?
* Vitamins A, C and E acts as antioxidants – supporting overall health * B vitamins, especially B6 and B12 play crucial roles in energy metabolism * Minerals like iron, zinc, copper and selenium support immune health Good hygiene
65
What are the 2 components of water?
 Intracellular compartment – fluid within cells which constitutes 2/3 of total amount of body water. * However, physical training causes an increase in the amount of water distributed in the intracellular compartment, due to increases in muscle mass * Potassium = principle electrolyte found in extracellular fluid * Sodium = less concentrated  Extracellular compartment – interstitial fluid between cells and plasma. Approximately 40% of total body water
66
Outline voluntary and involuntary dehydration
o Voluntary dehydration  Athletes intentionally reducing body water to gain a perceived advantage (e.g lowering weight class).  Methods: sweat sauna, steam rooms, inducing sweat without fluid intake, diuretics o Involuntary dehydration  Athletes loses more fluid than they consume
67
Dehydration levels more than X% can have a severe effect on aerobic performance
Dehydration levels greater than 2% of bodyweight can reduce performance especially in aerobic exercises
68
Outline the specific effects of dehydration on performance
 Reduced endurance - Loss of 1.5-2% of body mass reduced performance in 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m races, particularly by decreasing velocity during the final stages. The adverse effects were more evident in longer races  Cardiovascular strain – dehydration increases cardiovascular tension due to hyperthermia and reduced blood volume = decrease in stroke volume (amount of blood pumped by the heart in one beat) and blood flow to the muscles, limiting oxygen supply to working muscles  Altered metabolism – dehydration causes increase in the use of muscle glycogen during exercise = impacts performance  Thermoregulation issues – body’s ability to regulate temperature is compromised with dehydration. As dehydration increases, core body temperature and heart rate rise, further reducing stroke volume  CNS function – dehydration levels greater than 2% loss of body mass = reduced cognitive performance in soldiers and athletes  Increase in core body temperature  Reduced blood volume and flow to muscles o Dehydration and Gastrointestinal distress
69
Outline heat related issues associated with dehydration and high temperatures
* Heat exhaustion o Inability to carry on exercise due to excessive fluid loss, electrolyte loss and cardiovascular inefficiency o Most common heat related issue o Caused by dehydration and lack of acclimatisation to the environment * Heat stroke o Serious condition o From prolonged exposure to high temperatures or intense exercise o Symptoms include  Body temperature of 40 degrees +  Confusion and slurred speech  Alteration in sweating – skin feels dry  Vomiting  Reddening of the skin  Increased heart rate  Headache  Greater use of glycogen o Prevention – stay hydrated, drink electrolytes, avoid training in peak heat, wear appropriate clothes * Heat cramps o Involuntary muscle contractions associated with sweat loss o Different from other cramps, as they are solved by replacing sodium loss o People who experience heat cramps sweat excessively + have elevated sodium concentration in their sweat o Body temperature does not increase during heat crams o To reduce – ingest fluids with sodium, increase salt consumption
70
Why is it important to consider sweat loss in exercise?
Although sweat is hypotonic, it still contains some essential minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) * Prolonged sweating: o Sodium and chloride concentration down by 5-7% o Potassium concentration down by 1% o = must be replenished daily
71
Outline the hydration guidelines of the ACSM.
 Rehydration * Hydration before exercise will allow for fluid absorption and achieve normal hydration levels * Consume 5-7ml of fluid/kg at least 4 hours before exercise  During exercise * Prevent excessive dehydration (more than 2% body weight loss) and overhydration * Drink fluids at regular intervals to match fluid loss * 0.4-0.8l per hour depending on exercise intensity, duration and environmental conditions  Post exercise * Consume 1.5l/kg lost during exercise  Individualisation
72
Outline the effects of alcohol on sport:
 Dehydration * Diuretic = increases urine production = dehydration * Dehydration = hinders muscle recovery, increases risk of cramps, muscle pulls and stains, slows down healing process  Impaired Muscle Growth * alcohol reduces protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. Over time, this can lead to decreased muscle mass and strength.  Poorer Sleep Quality * Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and reduce the secretion of human growth hormone, or HGH, which plays a vital role in muscle recovery. Without proper sleep, your body can’t repair itself effectively, leading to prolonged recovery times.  Poor Nutrient Absorption * Alcohol can also interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients needed for recovery, such as zinc and other vitamins and minerals. This can slow down the recovery process and affect overall health.  Weakened Immune System * Regular alcohol consumption can weaken the immune system, making athletes more susceptible to illnesses and infections. This can further delay recovery and keep you off the field.  Poorer Mental and Physical performance * alcohol can impair motor skills, coordination, and overall mental sharpness. This can affect your performance in subsequent training sessions or competitions.