Energy needs in sports

Peer-reviewed / reviewed during preparation

Position of the working group sports nutrition of the German Nutrition Society (DGE)

Introduction

Athletes have special dietary needs. In a consensus statement on sports nutrition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that diet influences performance capacity and advised athletes to apply dietary strategies adapted to individual needs during and after training and competitions to maximize their physical and mental performance [1]. It should be kept in mind that athletes are not a homogeneous group; there are in fact numerous factors that influence energy and nutrient needs (e.g. body weight, size, body composition, training program, duration, intensity). It must also be considered that, depending on the training and competition phase within the annual cycle and even within any given week, athletes plan the intensity and duration of their training sessions in very different ways [2–4].

A young high-performance athlete also has an increased, growth-related need for energy and nutrients [5, 6]. Furthermore, the body weight and body composition of athletes in competitive sports and especially in youth competitive sports can also vary widely within the same type of sport [7, 8]. This becomes particularly clear in track and field, in which athletes in endurance sports weigh 50–60 kg and throwers can weigh up to 130 kg [9].

Abstract

Athletes expend greater amounts of energy as a result of their training. However, these amounts vary during the competition year and are influenced by such factors as the training period and intensity. Measuring energy expenditure is a complex process that is often achieved through indirect calorimetry. A calculation is possible when certain limitations are taken into consideration. Energy expenditure corresponds to energy requirements. Energy requirements should be covered by energy intake adapted to individual needs. Low energy intake can lead to reduced energy availability. Low energy availability not only has a negative impact on the bone metabolism and menstrual cycle – there may also be consequences of a hematological, metabolic, psychological, gastrointestinal, and immunological nature. This has adverse effects on the performance capacity, training adjustment, concentration and coordination, and can lead to an increased risk of injury. Matching energy intake to energy expenditure is an important cornerstone in the diet of athletes and a significant prerequisite for maintaining their health and performance.

Keywords: sports diet, energy requirements, energy availability, energy expenditure during training

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