Abstract
One of the most important nutritional goals amongst athletes is to maintain adequate
energy and fluid balance, since these are subject to relatively rapid changes and
are directly related to performance and health. This may especially be the case when
exercise intensity is high. Furthermore, when due to exercise and environmental stress
food and fluid intake become depressed. In such conditions there may be a dramatic
increase in the utilization of carbohydrate (CHO), fluid, and in some instances protein.
These increased requirements may then not be covered. Insufficient replacement of
CHO may lead to hypoglycemia, altered protein metabolism, central fatigue and exhaustion.
Large sweat losses may pose a risk to health by inducing severe dehydration, impaired
blood circulation and heat transfer, leading to heat exhaustion and collapse. Inadequate
CHO and protein intake leads to a negative nitrogen balance, which over the long term
will lead to a loss of muscle mass. In the scope of this presentation we will refer
to the most important nutritional factors which are known to affect performance over
a short term, at sea level and altitude.
Key words
Performance - food intake - fluid - electrolytes - carbohydrate - protein - fat -
altitude
