The Fueling Station at Utah State University was created to provide pre-workout fueling and post-workout recovery foods to the Utah State University athletes. The athletes use an online survey to mark what foods they selected after each visit to the Fueling Station. There is a large amount of research on the lack of sports nutrition knowledge in collegiate athletes, but there is little information on the dietary intake of athletes, the education of athletes, and the education of macronutrient timing in athletes. A food labeling system named “Gain Your Edge” food labels that targeted the education of timing was created in the Utah State University Fueling Station. It lets athletes know which food choices might be the most appropriate choices for certain periods of timing (i.e. pre-workout versus post-workout). The Fueling Station was selected as an outlet for education because it reaches a large percentage of all Utah State athletes each week. The survey responses by the athletes were used to determine if the fueling station visits were appropriate or not appropriate based on the reported timing of eating, purpose of eating, and food selections. After four weeks of implementation, it was determined that the food labels did result in significant changes in percentage of appropriate fueling station visits for the athletes. However, almost all the athletes noticed the food labels, and more than 75% of the athletes said that the food labels influenced their food selection. This research project contributes important information about the patterns of use in a University-sponsored fueling station to the limited knowledge base of collegiate sports nutrition research.

Research investigating the effects of pre-exercise meals with varying glycemic indices on exercise performance in intermittent sports is scarce. This study determined whether whole foods of low glycemic index (GI) resulted in a metabolic and performance advantage, in comparison to high GI foods, when eaten prior to extended intermittent cardiovascular exercise, such as tournament soccer play. Consenting trained participants (10 males, 4 females, 25.8 ± 7.3 y) completed two simulated soccer tournaments separated by at least seven days. Each testing day included two 90-minute soccer matches separated by a three hour break. Using a randomized cross-over design, low-GI, lentil-based meals (GI~42) or high-GI, potato-based meals (GI~78) matched for caloric value were consumed two hours prior to and then within one hour after the first soccer match. Blood glucose, lactate, insulin, free fatty acids, and respiratory gases were measured throughout the post-prandial and testing periods. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and gastrointestinal symptoms were also recorded. Performance was measured by the distance covered during five one-minute sprints, separated by two minute and thirty second rest intervals, at the end of each match. Peak post-prandial blood glucose was higher (p<0.05) in the high-GI trial (8.9 ± 2.2 molL-1 [SD]) compared to the low GI trial (5.9 ± 1.3 mmolL-1) as was insulin prior to the start of exercise (19.4 ± 2.0 versus 9.2 ¬± 1.3 umolL-1, p<0.05). Blood lactate levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) at the end of the second match during the high-GI trial (6.1 ± 1.2 mmolL-1) compared to the low-GI trial (2.5 ± 0.4 mmolL-1). Breath-by-breath analysis showed lower (p<0.05) carbohydrate oxidation during the low-GI trials compared to the high-GI at the start of the first soccer match (p<0.05). Subjects reported greater feelings of hunger during the high-GI trial versus greater feelings of fullness during the low-GI trial (p<0.05), but RPE during the low-GI (14.1 ± 0.3) was similar to the high-GI meal (14.2 ± 0.3). Sprint distance was not significantly different between treatments (p=0.27). Overall, these findings suggest that lentil-based, low-GI foods are a comparable alternative to traditional high-GI pre-exercise meals, as they result in similar performance outcomes but improved metabolic profiles. Over the long-term, improving metabolic conditions during exercise may be beneficial to the health of athletes.

Research investigating the effects of pre-exercise meals with varying glycemic indices on exercise performance in intermittent sports is scarce. This study determined whether whole foods of low glycemic index (GI) resulted in a metabolic and performance advantage, in comparison to high GI foods, when eaten prior to extended intermittent cardiovascular exercise, such as tournament soccer play. Consenting trained participants (10 males, 4 females, 25.8 ± 7.3 y) completed two simulated soccer tournaments separated by at least seven days. Each testing day included two 90-minute soccer matches separated by a three hour break. Using a randomized cross-over design, low-GI, lentil-based meals (GI~42) or high-GI, potato-based meals (GI~78) matched for caloric value were consumed two hours prior to and then within one hour after the first soccer match. Blood glucose, lactate, insulin, free fatty acids, and respiratory gases were measured throughout the post-prandial and testing periods. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and gastrointestinal symptoms were also recorded. Performance was measured by the distance covered during five one-minute sprints, separated by two minute and thirty second rest intervals, at the end of each match. Peak post-prandial blood glucose was higher (p<0.05) in the high-GI trial (8.9 ± 2.2 molL-1 [SD]) compared to the low GI trial (5.9 ± 1.3 mmolL-1) as was insulin prior to the start of exercise (19.4 ± 2.0 versus 9.2 ¬± 1.3 umolL-1, p<0.05). Blood lactate levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) at the end of the second match during the high-GI trial (6.1 ± 1.2 mmolL-1) compared to the low-GI trial (2.5 ± 0.4 mmolL-1). Breath-by-breath analysis showed lower (p<0.05) carbohydrate oxidation during the low-GI trials compared to the high-GI at the start of the first soccer match (p<0.05). Subjects reported greater feelings of hunger during the high-GI trial versus greater feelings of fullness during the low-GI trial (p<0.05), but RPE during the low-GI (14.1 ± 0.3) was similar to the high-GI meal (14.2 ± 0.3). Sprint distance was not significantly different between treatments (p=0.27). Overall, these findings suggest that lentil-based, low-GI foods are a comparable alternative to traditional high-GI pre-exercise meals, as they result in similar performance outcomes but improved metabolic profiles. Over the long-term, improving metabolic conditions during exercise may be beneficial to the health of athletes.

This thesis summarises a series of academic publications that make a contribution to the field of sports nutrition over a period of 30 years. It begins with research in the field of carbohydrate and endurance sport reflecting the early era of research into carbohydrate and endurance performance, and evolves into studies investigating the impact of sports nutrition and hydration on team sports. It presents papers and other peer reviewed outputs that focus on the application of scientific knowledge to enhance human performance, whilst demonstrating the increasing awareness of the relative importance of carbohydrate and hydration in a range of both female and male team and individual sports. The thesis also highlights the challenge faced by the manufacturers of sports nutrition products in making use of advances in science to develop new and innovative products. The thematic nature of this thesis shows how sports nutrition continues to evolve. As science identifies new and legal means of enhancing human performance, so sport, athletes and coaches will demand more advanced and specialised approaches to refuelling and hydration. This thesis draws together findings from a series of publications which demonstrate how scientists, coaches, athletes and sports nutrition manufacturers need to work closely together to research, identify and interpret the next stages in an exciting and demanding area of research. It also reflects the scientific advancement in the field of sports nutrition over a thirty year period, identifies possible areas for future research, and the continued application of hydration and nutrition strategies to enhance male and female endurance and team sports.

The diploma thesis describes the importance of education of young athletes in the field of nutrition. The theoretical part describes nutrition for children. It explains which macronutrients and micronutrients exist and why they are important for the child's body. Furthermore, sports nutrition for children and adolescents is discussed. Last but not least, the basic concepts associated with education, motivation and the influence of food on the mental and physical development of children and adolescents are explained. To meet the main purpose of this work, four goals were set. The first three goals are to compare two groups of boys. The first group of boys has been included in regional football academies for a long time and has been educated about proper nutrition in the past when joining the regional football academy and then in the following years. In the second group, the boys who come to the regional football academy are new, have never been instructed in proper nutrition before and will be educated for the first time. The comparison outlines whether and what is the difference between the results of body composition and diet of previously educated boys compared to those who were newly informed. The fourth goal was to verify whether and what is the importance of education and educational materials...

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Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Mark D. Haub / Background: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a growing sport that places competitors into specific weight classes to level the competition field. Athletes “cut weight” to compete in a weight class lower than their “walk around” weight. Techniques for cutting weight include dehydration, starvation and exercise in hot environments jeopardizing health and performance. Higher-protein diets (HPD) have been shown to improve weight loss by increasing satiety, thermogenesis, decreasing total energy intake, and maintain lean mass during periods of energy deficiency, such as weight loss. Research regarding the impact of HPD on performance is limited and conflicting. Specific Aims: The central hypothesis for this study was: HPD diets will elicit greater weight loss and enhance body composition compare to tradition low-fat diets in non-obese, active individuals. The three specific aims of this study are: 1) examine the effects of HPD on weight loss, 2) evaluate the impact of HPD of athletic performance, and 3) determine the effectiveness of HPD for accelerated weight loss. Methods: Military personnel participating in the Combatives program were recruited. Participants were assigned a HPD (40% CHO, 30% PRO, 30% fat), traditional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (65% CHO, 15% PRO, 20% fat), or an ad libitum diet for 12-day to 6-weeks depending on their training program. Fields tests for pre- and post-intervention measures of performance included: vertical jump and leg power index to measure explosive power, 600 meter shuttle run for anaerobic capacity and 1.5 mile run for aerobic capacity. Pre- and post-intervention of weight and body composition were determined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Diet analysis software was used to determine nutrient intakes during the study. SPSS statistical software was used to determine descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Pearson’s Correlations and one-way ANOVA. Results & Conclusions: Due to the unanticipated high rate of dropout, statistical significance was difficult to determine, however, there was a trend for the HPD to elicit fat-free mass retention and it not negatively impact performance. Discrepancies in energy and nutrient intake made dietary comparison difficult. Future studies with larger samples and greater dietary control are needed to further evaluate the research goals of this study.

These studies determined the effects of sodium chloride supplementation on serum and sweat sodium concentration, cardiovascular function, and physical and cognitive performance. Sweat sodium losses, alone, caused a significant decline in serum sodium concentration (-6.4±1.6 mEq/L, p=0.001) during 3h cycling in the heat in endurance-trained athletes with high sweat sodium losses. However, sodium chloride supplementation matching sweat sodium losses (NA; 5.9±1.5g NaCl/h) maintained serum sodium concentration. Post-exercise maximal cycling power declined and was significantly lower than pre-exercise in placebo (PL; p=0.012), but power was not significantly different in NA (p=0.057). Pre- to post-exercise response time during a Stroop Test improved in NA (p=0.009), while there was no change in PL (p=0.597). Post-exercise postural sway was less in NA vs. PL (p=0.044). Three days of sodium chloride supplementation (~15 g NaCl/d) resulted in a significant increase in plasma volume in healthy untrained males at rest (5.9±7.6 %) and during exercise at 60%VO₂peak (8.6±5.2 %) compared to PL. During NA, stroke volume was 10% higher during exercise vs. PL (139±27 vs. 126±24 ml/beat, respectively, p=0.004). Cardiac output was 8% higher in NA during exercise vs. PL (21.0±3.1 vs. 19.4±2.6 L/min, respectively, p=0.013). Mean arterial pressure during exercise was not different in NA vs. PL (p=0.548) as total peripheral resistance decreased (p=0.027) with the increased cardiac output. Sweat sodium concentration was 9% higher in NA vs. PL during exercise in the heat (70.4±19.5 vs. 64.5±21.7 mEq/L, p=0.044). In summary, serum sodium concentration declines when high sweat sodium losses are not replaced while hydration status is maintained. Acute sodium chloride supplementation during exercise which matches sodium losses maintains serum sodium concentration. This maintenance of serum sodium concentration results in both physical and cognitive benefits compared to when serum sodium concentration declines. Chronic intake of sodium chloride for 3 days increases plasma volume in healthy untrained men and improves cardiovascular function, as both stroke volume and cardiac output are increased, while oxygen consumption and blood pressure are unchanged. Therefore, acute and chronic sodium supplementation positively alters fluid and sodium balance which results in beneficial effects on physical and cognitive performance and cardiovascular function during exercise. / text

Title: Hobby runners' nutrition during and after a long-distance performance Objectives: The main aim of the thesis was to find out hobby runners' nutritional strategies during and after long-distance performance. Then to examine their diet from qualitative and quantitative view of points. By labratory testing find out maximal functional parameters and body composition. Use of mouth rinse of carbohydrate solution during 60 minutes running performance. Methods: There were used biomedical measurements as body composition, bioelectrical impedance, labotory spiroergometric measuring by maximal stress testing. Field trials using sporttesters and mouth rinse of carbohydrate solution during 60 min running performance. Also during the 60 min running performance there was use of Borg's RPE scale to evaluate subjective perceived exertion. Another methods were interview with open questions and online survey. Results: Hobby runners'nutrition during and after long- distance performance is not in agreement with sports nutrition requirements, especially with requirements to maximalize the performance. Nutritional strategies don't meet the conditions to optimalize body regeneration and fullfilling energy substrates. The positive effect of 8% carbohydrate solution mouth rinse on 60 min running performance was...

This master thesis evaluates the nutrition of Czech representation in sport climbing. The main goal is the monitoring of quantitative and qualitative composition of the Czech national team in sport climbing and comparing the results with the average group of climbers. The thesis is divided into two parts. The theoretical part deals with the morphological and functional characteristics of a sports climber. It also discusses the specific nutritional requirements related to this sport. The practical part consists of evaluation of the data, which were obtained on the basis of anthropometric measurement, short questionnaire, and five-day dietary record. Anthropometric measurements compare the body compositions of respondents. The aim of questionnaires is to evaluate the interest of individuals in nutrition and type of climbing training. Dietary records monitor the energy balance and the nutritional composition of the food. Eating records were evaluated in Nutri Pro Expert software. Results from both groups were compared with each other and also with the recommendations for the population. The purpose was to find out whether the nutrition recommendations of the Czech representation were fulfilled and also to describe the main differences in diet between top athletes and the average climbing group. The...