Dietary Fuels in Athletic Performance

In the review “Dietary Fuels in Athletic performance” by Fritzen, Lundsgaard and Kiens, published in the Journal of Annual Review of Nutrition, it is discussed how the athlete can optimize the diet to improve the daily exercise training and thereby performance. This review stands out from other reviews in the area by describing the scientific evidence from a mechanistic approach, describing the physiological mechanisms that provide basis for composing the most proper diet for the individual engaged in vigorous physical activity – but also for individuals being active on a recreational basis. Nutritional recommendations for athletes have not changed markedly during the past decade, but improved methods and scientific advances have increased our understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms of dietary interactions with training adaptations and led to more nuanced recommendations. Importantly, general dietary recommendations for athletes can be provided, but they should be fine-tuned to individual considerations. An athlete’s diet should never be static, but should be composed in accordance with the requirements of the training program.

Reference:
Fritzen, AM, Lundsgaard, AM, Kiens, B: Dietary Fuels in Athletic Performance. Annu Rev Nutr 10-082018, 2019