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Nutrients
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Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related...
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Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2024) | Viewed by 6567

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luis Manuel Martínez Aranda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Physical and Sports Performance Research Centre, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain
2. SEJ-680: Science-Based Training (SBT) Research Group, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain
Interests: strength; resistance exercise; isoinertial training; training optimization; physical performance; skeletal muscle; sports injuries; sports medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
Interests: nutrition; education in applied DXA; body composition and anthropometrics; mineral bone density; nutritional and diet assessment; analysis of skinfold thickness; nutritional requirements and energy; metabolism; nutritional status; meta-analysis in sports nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition is an essential component in the sports context, and understanding its role in optimising performance and recovery is crucial. The term "performance nutrition" refers to the strategic management of dietary intake to maximise efficiency and endurance during physical activity. A proper and comprehensive understanding of specific nutritional requirements based on set goals and the discipline involved provides a foundation for designing dietary plans tailored to individual needs. In this regard, the use of food supplements and the consideration of dietary proteins are key aspects to support muscle development and recovery. Furthermore, the importance of an optimal energy balance is emphasised, along with the role of carbohydrate intake and glycogen loading. The exploration of the relationship between weight gain/loss and caloric intake according to the pursued objectives is also highlighted. On the other hand, the use of ergogenic aids is analysed in the context of optimising performance (considering how these substances can influence physical and mental capacity) or injury recovery (exploring how certain nutrients and strategies can expedite healing/recovery).

Therefore, this Special Issue, entitled “Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance”, aims to present a comprehensive analysis that delves into the understanding of sports nutrition, providing valuable information for athletes, coaches and healthcare professionals seeking to optimise physical performance and recovery within the current knowledge in this field. In conclusion, new perspectives related to the incorporation of all the aforementioned elements into advanced nutritional strategies will be examined. Original research papers, clinical or study cases and literature reviews on exciting and novel topics are welcome.

Dr. Luis Manuel Martínez Aranda
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • performance nutrition
  • food supplements
  • dietary protein
  • weight gain
  • calorie intake
  • nutritional requirements
  • ergogenic aids
  • injury recovery
  • carbohydrate intake
  • glycogen loading

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1366 KiB  
Article
A Strengths-Based Approach to Increasing Nutrition Knowledge in Student-Athletes: The ‘Eat 2 Win’ Pilot Program
by Andrea Fuller and Stephen P. Bird
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020361 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 710
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for the health, growth, and athletic performance of student-athletes. Adequate energy availability and sufficient intake of macro- and micronutrients support adolescent development, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and reduce the risk of disordered eating. These [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for the health, growth, and athletic performance of student-athletes. Adequate energy availability and sufficient intake of macro- and micronutrients support adolescent development, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and reduce the risk of disordered eating. These challenges are particularly relevant to student-athletes, who are vulnerable to nutrition misinformation and often exhibit limited nutrition knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the ‘Eat 2 Win’ nutrition education pilot program for high school student-athletes and assess changes in nutrition knowledge using the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire—Adolescents (NSKQ-a). Methods: Fifty-five high school student-athletes (14.1 ± 2.2 years; 53% male, 47% female) from the Bremer State High School Sports Academy participated in the ‘Eat 2 Win’ program. The curriculum was tailored to align with the nutritional needs of Australian high school student-athletes and included three interactive workshops on sports nutrition concepts, practical cooking classes, and online learning modules. Sessions were delivered onsite at the school over three consecutive weeks, once per week. Twenty-four participants (43.6%) completed all program components. Results: The program was feasible and well-accepted by participants. Nutrition knowledge, assessed in 16 participants using the NSKQ-a, revealing an overall knowledge increase of 9.7%, with sub-category improvements ranging from 3.1% to 34.4%. Conclusions: The ‘Eat 2 Win’ pilot program improved student-athletes’ nutrition knowledge, particularly in macronutrients and hydration. Participant feedback highlighted enjoyment and positive impacts. Targeted nutrition education programs like ‘Eat 2 Win’ can empower student-athletes to make informed dietary choices by addressing knowledge gaps, debunking nutrition myths, and fostering positive dietary behaviours. Future programs should emphasize energy intake, practical skills, and accessible, actionable information. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance)
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13 pages, 469 KiB  
Article
Specific Physical and Nutritional Preparation of a Professional Kata Karate Athlete: A Case Study with a Bronze Medallist from the Pan American Games
by José Manuel García-De Frutos, Daniel López-Plaza, Francisco Javier Martínez-Noguera, Manuel Sanz-Matesanz, Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez and Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020306 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Background and objectives: In karate, particularly in the kata discipline, there is a notable lack of studies focused on specific physical preparation for competitions. This highlights an urgent need for more in-depth research into this crucial aspect of athletic training to optimize performance [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: In karate, particularly in the kata discipline, there is a notable lack of studies focused on specific physical preparation for competitions. This highlights an urgent need for more in-depth research into this crucial aspect of athletic training to optimize performance and athlete preparation. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of a dietary plan combined with specific physical preparation on the performance and body composition of a professional kata athlete preparing for a Pan American championship. Methods: A 20-year-old elite female karateka (60.7 kg, 165.4 cm) followed a nutritional plan with an isocaloric diet. The strength and power of the upper and lower limbs were evaluated through countermovement jump (CMJ) and one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests in bench press and free squat over a five-month period before the competition. Results: Following the nutritional plan and physical preparation, the athlete’s body composition improved in terms of fat loss (from 12.17% to 10.68%) and increased muscle mass (from 51.45% to 53.09%). Moreover, these improvements translated into better performance in tests such as CMJ (from 38.29 cm to 44.14 cm), 1RM bench press (from 54.5 kg to 67.6 kg), and 1RM free squat (from 65.1 kg to 78.4 kg). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a comprehensive approach to personalized physical, technical, and nutritional preparation over 16 weeks significantly improves muscle strength and performance in karate kata. The novelty of this intervention lies in the detailed description of the total workload, encompassing both physical and technical performance, with a specific plan tailored to the athlete’s needs. Additionally, the preparation was precisely designed for a specific tournament, addressing the sport’s unique demands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance)
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20 pages, 1106 KiB  
Article
Balancing Performance and Health in Elite Hungarian Athletes: The Relationship Among Disordered Eating Risk, Body Composition, and Nutrition Knowledge
by Réka Erika Kovács, Merve Alpay, István Karsai, Gusztáv József Tornóczky, Andrea Petróczi and Szilvia Boros
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020231 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 888
Abstract
Background: disordered eating (DE) and eating disorders (ED) can negatively impact athletes’ health, wellbeing, and athletic performance. Objective: this cross-sectional study aims to assess DE risk, body composition, and nutrition knowledge among elite Hungarian athletes. Methods: DE risk was assessed using DESA-6H and [...] Read more.
Background: disordered eating (DE) and eating disorders (ED) can negatively impact athletes’ health, wellbeing, and athletic performance. Objective: this cross-sectional study aims to assess DE risk, body composition, and nutrition knowledge among elite Hungarian athletes. Methods: DE risk was assessed using DESA-6H and EAT-26 scales, nutrition knowledge through the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ), and body composition with the OMRON BF511 device. The data were analyzed using Kendall’s tau correlations, Mann–Whitney U tests, and ROC analysis. Results: a total of 71 athletes participated (39.4% males, mean age = 24.8 years, SD = 4.8 years and 60.6% females, mean age = 24.3 years, SD = 4.3 years). At-risk scores on the DESA-6H scale were recorded for nine athletes (12.7%), while 32.4% scored in the risk zone on the EAT-26, with female athletes in aesthetic, endurance and weight-dependent sports being most affected. Low BF was observed in four males and four females. Nutrition knowledge (49.1%) was below the acceptable threshold. DESA-6H significantly correlated with EAT-26 scores, BMI, sports nutrition knowledge, and A-NSKQ total scores. A statistically significant difference by gender was found in the EAT-26 total score (p = 0.019, d = 0.65). Risk groups significantly differed in A-NSKQ scores (p = 0.026, d = 0.511) and sport nutrition knowledge, specifically (p = 0.016, d = 0.491). Using EAT-26 to identify at-risk athletes and the DESA-6H recommended cut-off, the ROC analysis showed a sensitivity of 29.1% and a specificity of 95.7%. Conclusions: insufficient nutrition knowledge plays a role in being at-risk for DE and ED. These results underscore the need for early detection, early sport nutrition education across all elite athletes, with particular attention to female athletes in aesthetic, endurance and weight-dependent sports, and for monitoring these athletes to prevent DE. Further work is warranted to optimize screening tools such as EAT-26 and DESA-6H for elite athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance)
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Review

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29 pages, 419 KiB  
Review
From Food Supplements to Functional Foods: Emerging Perspectives on Post-Exercise Recovery Nutrition
by Lifeng Wang, Qing Meng and Chun-Hsien Su
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4081; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234081 - 27 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3885
Abstract
Effective post-exercise recovery is vital for optimizing athletic performance, focusing on muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, rehydration, and inflammation management. This review explores the evolving trend from traditional supplements, such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), toward functional foods rich in [...] Read more.
Effective post-exercise recovery is vital for optimizing athletic performance, focusing on muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, rehydration, and inflammation management. This review explores the evolving trend from traditional supplements, such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), toward functional foods rich in bioactive compounds. Evidence highlights the benefits of functional foods like tart cherry juice (anthocyanins), turmeric-seasoned foods, and sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, for mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics support gut health and immune function, which are integral to effective recovery. Personalized nutrition, informed by genetic and metabolic profiling, is examined as a promising approach to tailor recovery strategies. A systematic search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000–2024) identified studies with high empirical rigor and relevance to recovery outcomes. Findings underscore the need for further research into nutrient interactions, dosage optimization, and long-term effects on athletic performance. Integrating functional foods with personalized nutrition presents a comprehensive framework for enhanced recovery, greater resilience to physical stress, and sustained performance in athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport Nutrition Knowledge: Diet, Energy, Recovery and New Perspectives Related to Health and Performance)
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