Sports Nutrition Education Essential for Student Athletes

The education of sports nutrition is important to student-athletes because it lies in the core of that athlete’s nutrition needs for optimal performance, replenishing of energy, and general well-being. An appropriate diet helps in training and competition by supplying the energy necessary in training and competition and enhances a sportsperson’s physical fitness with minimum incidences of injuries. It can be asserted that student-athletes need many more carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals due to their higher energy expenses in comparison with ordinary students. As I learned how they could tap into proper nutrition to support their training, help them recover fast, and improve performance, I improved our knowledge. Carbohydrates are known to fuel endurance whereas fats provides energy during successive and proteins that assist in rebuilding of muscles. This ranges from hydration, where one realizes that being a little dehydrated will reduce their much-needed performance. By making them understand what is necessary for them to take, when, or rather how to take it, nutrition education aids student-athletes. It educates them on the aspects of pre and post-workout meals, the roles of supplements, and how they should avoid unhealthy eating habits that would jeopardize their training. It is important for coaches and educators to pass on this information and our programs work to inform students and support them to succeed academically and athletically. Due to the provision of sports nutrition education in schools, student-athletes are in a safe position to be provided with knowledge and skills for healthy nutrition for successful performance besides the field.