Page 111 - Petelin, Ana, et al. Eds. 2019. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 111
ritional recommendations for young athletes prehrana otrok in mladostnikov | nutrition of children and adolescents
Vesna Simič1, Nina Mohorko2
1 University Medical Centre Ljubljana, The Division of Paediatrics Bohoričeva 20,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The optimal nutrition strategy for young athletes is of the utmost
importance, as it not only enables the optimization of the training process and
successful recovery but also enables growth, development, prevention of inju-
ries, short- and long- term health protection. Methods: Scientific literature re-
view from the field of the clinical sports nutrition focused on energy and nutri-
ent requirements of young athletes.
Results and discussion: Nutritional recommendations for young athletes in-
volved in high intensity sports activities differ from the ones for the general
young population. Despite the fact that the nutritional requirements of young
athletes, compared to adult athletes, are specific due to differences in energy
and substrate consumption, as well as their thermoregulation mechanisms, the
principles of sports nutrition for these two categories are quite similar. These
principles include calculation of adequate energy availability, carbohydrate in-
take in accordance with body mass, duration, intensity and type of activity, as
well as increased protein intake, based on body mass, whereas the fat intake is
based on general recommendations. Micronutrients which should be in our fo-
cus due to their frequent deficiency are iron, calcium and vitamin D.
Conclusions: Due to the high training load and increased risk of nutrition defi-
cits, regular individual nutrition counselling is considered highly recommended,
as it can improve health and performance.
Keywords: nutrition, young athlete, recommendations, health, performance
109
Vesna Simič1, Nina Mohorko2
1 University Medical Centre Ljubljana, The Division of Paediatrics Bohoričeva 20,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The optimal nutrition strategy for young athletes is of the utmost
importance, as it not only enables the optimization of the training process and
successful recovery but also enables growth, development, prevention of inju-
ries, short- and long- term health protection. Methods: Scientific literature re-
view from the field of the clinical sports nutrition focused on energy and nutri-
ent requirements of young athletes.
Results and discussion: Nutritional recommendations for young athletes in-
volved in high intensity sports activities differ from the ones for the general
young population. Despite the fact that the nutritional requirements of young
athletes, compared to adult athletes, are specific due to differences in energy
and substrate consumption, as well as their thermoregulation mechanisms, the
principles of sports nutrition for these two categories are quite similar. These
principles include calculation of adequate energy availability, carbohydrate in-
take in accordance with body mass, duration, intensity and type of activity, as
well as increased protein intake, based on body mass, whereas the fat intake is
based on general recommendations. Micronutrients which should be in our fo-
cus due to their frequent deficiency are iron, calcium and vitamin D.
Conclusions: Due to the high training load and increased risk of nutrition defi-
cits, regular individual nutrition counselling is considered highly recommended,
as it can improve health and performance.
Keywords: nutrition, young athlete, recommendations, health, performance
109
