A sports nutritionist advises athletes on nutritional regimes that allow for optimal performance. They must understand the effects that foods have on the human body. Sports nutrition specialists study the types and quantities of foods and fluids that should be consumed by an athlete. They also study the particular organic substances that are most important for athletes completing at a given sport. Sports nutritionists must develop eating regimes for athletes. They know how to properly balance the athlete’s intake of substances such as:
- carbohydrates
- proteins
- fats
Nutrition is of vital important for athletes in strength sports and in endurance sports like running and swimming.
Job Tasks
What does a sports nutritionist do? Those who work as sports nutritionists – or sports dietitians – must advise athletes on what foods should make up their diets given their:
- particular body types
- training routines
- athletic goals
A sports nutritionist might work for colleges and athletic teams on the professional and Olympic level. Each state usually has certification procedures for those working as dietitians or nutritionists. However, the title of nutritionist is often less strictly regulated than the title dietitian.
An athletic nutritionist is a complicated role. It requires a thorough knowledge of nutrition and sports performance. A sport nutritionist must be able to consult with athletes regarding their ideal diet. They must also be able to work the athlete’s desired peak of physical conditioning into the devised dietary regime. Athletes typically need to peak, or reach their highest level of performance, at a given point of time during their season. This peak of performance will to some extent be determined by dietary factors. The best sports nutritionist will know how to achieve this peak through dietary measures.