Sherif Azmy Rizkalla
Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment, Egypt
Title: Nutrition for optimal sports performance
Biography
Biography: Sherif Azmy Rizkalla
Abstract
Choosing the right foods, fluids and supplements can help athletes perform at their best. To help an athlete reach peak performance, dietitians work with athletes to plan for: 1. Adequate energy from food 2. Enough fluids to keep the body hydrated 3. The right balance of nutrients. Meeting energy needs during activity will help athletes: 1. Replenish glycogen stores 2. Provide protein to build and repair tissue 3. Provide essential fatty acids.
Registered dietitians, particularly those with an expertise in sports nutrition, are uniquely equipped to provide nutrition advice to athletes. Dietitians are the only regulated health care professionals in Canada in the field of nutrition. They can work with athletes to help them achieve peak performance by learning: 1. What to eat and drink before, during, and after exercise 2. How to use nutrition to help with performance and improve recovery time 3. When to use sports drinks instead of water 4. How to prevent dehydration 5. If certain vitamin or mineral supplements are needed 6. That ergogenic [performance enhancing] aids should be used with caution only after careful screening for safety 7. How to reduce their risk of contracting illnesses such as gastroenteritis or upper respiratory tract infections from the foods they eat (and the utensils used to cook them).