Jeni Pearce, Dip H Sc (Otago), M S (Iowa, USA), NZRD, level 3 Accredited Sports Nutritionist, Health and Sports Dietitian.

Jeni Pearce is one of New Zealand's leading health and sport nutritionists and dietitians. An acknowledged authority in the specialist field of sports nutrition Jeni is well known for her books, public lectures, articles, and private clinics. Jeni's expertise has been sought by everyone from New Zealand's Olympic and Commonwealth Games Team and America Cup Yachting Challenges to the Warriors.

IOC Consensus Sports Nutrition Statement 2003

In 1991 the first International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement was released based on the latest scientific research at the time to assist athletes in finding an accurate and reliable source of information to assist sports performance.  This statement highlighted “Diet significantly affects athletic performance." Since then the knowledge of nutrition in sports performance has expanded and new issues have arisen.  This resulted in the updating of the statement in 2003.  There was also a focus on the enjoyment of food in addition to the performance benefits.

The new research and developments in sports nutrition have shown the effect the of the amount, composition and timing of food intake on sports performance.  Athletes can train harder, recover more quickly and adapt more efficiently with less risk of illness and injury with good nutrition practices.  The topics covered included;

1. Energy balance and body composition

2. The role of carbohydrates, fats, protein and amino acids

3. Macronutrient metabolism and availability

4. Athletes’ fluid and electrolyte requirements

5. The use of dietary supplements

6. Nutrition and immune function

7. Nutritional strategies for training and competition.

THE IOC CONSESUS STATEMENT 2003

‘The amount, composition and timing of food intake can profoundly affect sports performance.  Good nutritional practice will help athletes train hard, recover quickly and adapt more effectively with less risk of illness and injury.  Athletes should adopt specific nutritional strategies before and during competition to help maximise their performance.  Athletes will benefit from the guidance of a qualified sports nutrition professional who can provide advice on their individual energy and nutrient needs and also help them to develop sports-specific nutritional strategies for training, competition and recovery.

A diet that provides adequate energy from the consumption of a wide range of commonly available food can meet the carbohydrate, protein, fat and micronutrient requirements of training and competition.  The right diet will help athletes achieve an optimum body size and body composition to achieve greater success in their sport.  When athletes restrict their food intake, they risk nutrient deficiency that will impair both their health and their performance.  Careful selection of nutrient-dense food is especially important when energy intake is restricted to reduce body and/or fat mass.  Fat is an important nutrient and the diet should contain adequate amounts of fats.

Athletes should aim to achieve carbohydrate intakes that meet the fuel requirements of their training programmes and also adequately replace their carbohydrate stores during recovery between training sessions and competition.  This can be achieved when athletes eat carbohydrate-rich snacks and meals that also provide a good source of protein and other nutrients.  A varied diet that meets energy needs will generally provide protein in excess of requirements.  Muscle mass is maintained or increased at the protein intakes and the timing of eating carbohydrate and protein may affect the training adaptation.

A high carbohydrate intake in the days before competition will help enhance performance, particularly when exercise lasts longer than about 60 min.  Dehydration impairs performance in most events, and athletes should be well hydrated before exercise.  Sufficient fluid should be consumed during exercise to limit dehydration to less than about 2% of body mass.  During prolonged exercise, the fluid should provide carbohydrate.  Sodium should be included when sweat losses are high, especially if exercise last more than about 2 hours.  Athletes should not drink so much that they gain weight during exercise.  During recovery from exercise rehydration should include replacement of both water and salt lost in sweat.

Athletes are cautioned against the indiscriminate use of dietary supplements.  Supplements that provide essential nutrients may be of help where food intake or food choices are restricted, but this approach to achieving adequate nutrient intake is normally only a short-term option.  The use of supplements does not compensate for poor food choices and an inadequate diet.  Athletes contemplating the use of supplements and sports foods should consider their efficacy, their cost, the risk to health and performance, and the potential for a positive doping test.

Excessive training and competition are associated with some negative consequences.  Robust immunity and reduced risk of infection can be achieved by consuming a varied diet adequate in energy and micronutrients, ensuring adequate sleep and limiting other life stress.  Attention to dietary intake of calcium and iron is important in athletes at risk of deficiency but use of large amounts of some micronutrients may be harmful.  Female athletes with menstrual disorders should be promptly referred to a qualified specialist physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Food can contribute not only to the enjoyment of life, but also to success in sport.’

18 June 2003. 

Note:  Full copies of the full papers from this meeting are available from the Journal of Sport Science, 2004, vol 22.

Check out this link in the IOC website www.olympic.org to read the booklet, designed for athletes that was produced as a result of this meeting. 

http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_833