Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise

and sport nutrition from the American College of Sport
Nutrition, the International Olympic Committee and the
International Society for Sports Nutrition
Potgieter S, BScDietetics, MNutrition
Lecturer, Therapeutic Nutrition, Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University
Correspondence to: Sunita Potgieter, e-mail: [email protected]
Keywords: sport nutrition, guidelines, International Olympic Committee, International Society for Sports Nutrition

Abstract
Evidence-based sport nutrition guidelines which explore the connection between nutrition, exercise and well-being form a crucial part of
any athletes competitive and training programme. Guidelines that are based on sound scientific evidence about the quantity, structure and
timing of food intake are important to ensure that athletes train more effectively to reduce the risk of injury and illness. Appropriate nutrition
complements training and recovery and can induce metabolic adaptations to training. Adequate energy should derive from a variety of foods
that provide carbohydrates, proteins, fat and micronutrients. Maintenance of the energy balance in individuals with increased requirements
because of physical activity is important. Challenges may arise in the case of larger athletes and those who partake in high-volume intense
training. Habitual carbohydrate intake is essential for physically active individuals and should be timed according to training sessions to
ensure optimal pre-, during, and post-workout nutrition. Dietary protein requirements are slightly elevated in the case of strength, speed
and endurance training. Consideration of the quality and timing of protein intake is important. The fat requirements of athletes are similar or
somewhat higher, so consumption of adequate amounts of fat is essential for optimal health, maintenance of energy balance, optimal intake
of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are needed to provide a health benefit, although the ergogenic effect
of most micronutrients is still unclear and warrants further research. Supplements and sports foods are used extensively and although the
use of some supplements may be ergogenic, the risk to benefit ratio needs to be carefully considered before embarking on the widespread
use of supplements.
S Afr J Clin Nutr 2013;26(1):6-16

Peer reviewed. (Submitted: 2012-10-02. Accepted: 2013-01-27.) SAJCN

Introduction

recommendations for exercise and sport nutrition.3 The American

Dietetic Association (ADA), the Dietitians of Canada and the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) teamed up in 2000 and 2009 to
publish their position stand on nutrition and athletic performance.4,5
These consensus documents are complemented by a variety of
reviews and position stands on fluid and physical activity,6 individual
nutrients and sport supplements.7,8

Sport nutrition has been well documented as being an invaluable

tool to be used in any athletes training and competition programme.
It is the single most complementary factor to any physically active
individual or elite athlete. The task of reviewing sport nutrition
guidelines has been simplified by the recent publication of a wide
variety of consensus statements and reviews on sport nutrition,
individual nutrients, nutrient timing, and supplements and sports
foods. The Journal of Sport Science has published a series of papers,
following several International Olympic Committee (IOC) conferences,
on nutrition in sport. The first dates back to 1991. In 2003, a further
consensus conference was held to update the guidelines from 1991,
and more recently, the 2010 IOC consensus on sport nutrition papers
was published in a special edition of the Journal of Sport Science
in 2011. These documents set out to provide evidence-based
guidelines and a complete review of scientific evidence of the
relationship between nutrition, performance and health in sport.1

Last year, the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport produced
a position statement on sport supplements in order to provide an
evidence-based guideline for use by professionals who work in the
field of sport nutrition within the South African context. 9
The main aim of this review was to summarise, critically appraise
and compare key concepts, elements and guidelines from the
abovementioned consensus documents. This is important in order to
provide healthcare professionals with guidelines that are based on
a background of sound scientific evidence of the quantity, structure
and timing of food intake. Guidelines are of vital importance to ensure
that physically active individuals and athletes train more effectively,
thereby reducing the risk of injury and illness and improving exercise
performance.10

The International Society for Sport Nutrition (ISSN) also published

two consensus documents; one in 2008 that focused on nutrient
timing,2 and another in 2010 that reviewed research on and

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

General nutritional needs for physical activity

Table I: Energy requirements for physical activity3

Good nutrition assists in the ability to train intensely, as well as in

muscle recovery and metabolic adaptations to endurance exercise.
Adequate energy should derive from a wide variety of available foods
that provide carbohydrates, proteins, fat and micronutrients.

Physical activity level

kcal/kg/day

kcal/day

General physical activity

30-40 minutes/day, 3 times a week

Normal diet,
25-35

1 800-2 400a

Moderate levels of intense training

2-3 hours/day, 5-6 times a weekb

50-80

2 500-8 000c

Energy and energy availability

High-volume intense training

3-6 hours/day, 1-2 sessions/day, 5-6
times a weekb

50-80

2 500-8000c

150-200

Up to 12000e

60-80

6000-12000f

In most instances, a well-balanced diet should be sufficient in energy

in order to maintain the energy balance in individuals with increased
energy requirements because of physical activity.3 However, it
might be challenging to meet the energy needs of athletes with
a high body weight and height, i.e. larger athletes and athletes
who partake in high-volume intense training.3 A negative energy
balance is common in endurance athletes, such as runners, cyclists,
swimmers and triathletes, as well as in sports in which dietary
restriction is part of the strategy to modify body composition and
size, such as gymnastics, skating, dancing, wrestling and boxing.3,11
These athletes sometimes attempt to lose weight too quickly and in
mismanaged ways.3,11 Historically, female athletes are more prone
to eating disorders, which lead to a disturbed energy balance.3
A negative energy balance in female athletes can lead to the
development of the female athlete triad, which includes disturbed
eating patterns, menstrual disorders and low bone mineral density.11
It is possible for a female athlete to become energy deficient without
having a clinically diagnosed eating disorder.11 Apart from this,
high intensity training can decrease appetite and change hunger
patterns. Some athletes may be uncomfortable eating meals
before exercise because of gastrointestinal discomfort.3,11 Travel
and training also influence food availability and safety, and careful
planning around travel schedules is of vital importance.3 Insufficient
energy intake can result in weight loss, especially of muscle mass;
injury, illness, increased prevalence of overtraining syndrome and
ultimately decreased exercise performance.3 To overcome this,
athletes should focus on maintaining an energy balance to suit their
energy expenditure and have 4-6 meals per day, including nutrientdense food. The use of low-risk supplements, such as liquid meal
replacements and multivitamin and mineral preparations, can also
be considered.3

Elite athletesd
Large athletes

a: Values estimated for a 50-80 kg individual

b: Moderate levels of intense training use lower level of range, high-volume intense training uses
upper level of range
c: Values estimated for a 50-100 kg individual
d: Depending on training periodisation, and the volume and intensity of training
e: Values estimated for a 60-80 kg athlete
f: Values estimated for a 100-150 kg athlete

in addition to calculating total energy requirements. estEA is

defined as dietary energy intake minus energy expended in
exercise (EA = EI-EEE) and is expressed in kcal/kg fat-free mass
(FFM)/day. The reasoning behind calculating estEA is that some
physiological processes are negatively affected by severely low
EA. Only determining total energy or resting energy expenditure
est
can underestimate a long-term undernourished, physically active
individuals requirements. Energy balance cannot provide reliable
information about energy requirements and is not considered to be
useful when calculating an athletes requirements.11 Disruption of a
female athletes menstrual cycle and diminished bone health have
been found when the estEA is less than 30 kcal/kg FFM. Therefore,
ingesting sufficient energy and nutrients is important to support the
skeletal, reproductive and immune systems, particularly in immunecompromised athletes.11
The recommendations of the IOC in the 2010 consensus statement
on managing estEA is for athletes to eat specified amounts of food at
planned times during the day and not to wait for hunger, to eliminate
harmful weight-loss strategies and practices, to ensure periodisation
of diet according to periodisation of training, and to follow diet and
exercise regimes which provide an estEA of 30-45 kcal/kg FFM/day,
while exercising to reduce body size and fatness.11

The ACSM recommends that athletes need to consume adequate

energy during periods of high intensity and/or long duration training
to maintain body weight and health and to maximise training
effects.5 The ACSM recommends that energy requirements are
calculated using either the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) or
prediction equations, such as the Cunningham or Harris-Benedict
equations, where the basal or resting metabolic rate is calculated
using a physical activity factor (1.8-2.3) depending on the type,
duration and intensity of exercise. Energy expenditure can also be
calculated by means of metabolic equivalents.5

When an athlete is able to reach his or her daily macronutrient

requirements, it is most likely that total energy intake will be
sufficient. The guidelines that are presented by the ACSM are
based on the DRIs, which have been well researched and based
on equations that were developed according to the gold standard
method used to assess free-living energy expenditure: doubly
labelled water. They also include various activity levels, from slight
to very active.5 Although not researched to the same extent as the
ACSM guidelines and thereby complicating critical appraisal of the
ISSN guidelines, these recommendations can still be used to obtain
a quick calculation of an athletes energy requirements according to
their physical activity level.

The ISSN recommends that energy requirements are calculated

according to level of physical activity and body weight, as
summarised in Table I.3

In addition to calculating total energy requirements, the IOC suggests

that estEA should be determined to assess whether or not the athlete
is reaching his or her energy goals matched for energy expenditure,

The 2003 and 2010 IOC consensus documents emphasise

determining and calculating estimated energy availability (estEA),

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

and to thereby reduce the risk of impaired skeletal, reproductive and

immune functioning.

intake thought to be important are obtaining daily carbohydrate

requirements and ensuring gastrointestinal comfort, since attaining
the high carbohydrate intake that is required for endurance exercise
can lead to abdominal bloating, cramping and diarrhoea.12

Macronutrient requirements
Carbohydrate requirements

The timing of carbohydrate intake in relation to exercise is important.

Apart from the recommendations for before, during and after
exercise (discussed below), a new concept with regard to the role
of periodisation of carbohydrate intake has emerged. This idea
is known as training low and competing high.12 When an acute
bout of endurance exercise is completed in a state of low muscle
glycogen, it appears that there is increased transcriptional activation
of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and improvement
in the adaptive responses that favour fat metabolism.12 Thus, the
athlete should train in a depleted muscle glycogen state to elicit a
greater training response, and then switch to a high carbohydrate
intake when competing to ensure optimal exercise performance.12
However, there are a couple of misconceptions concerning this theory
and further research is warranted before any clear recommendations
can be made.

Habitual or daily carbohydrate intake is essential in physically active

individuals, and should be timed according to training sessions
in order to ensure optimal pre-workout nutrition, as well as to
encourage recovery post workout. If this is not possible during the
day, the intake should be tailored according to individual preference
and tolerance, provided that the total daily requirements are met.12
The field of sport nutrition has departed from calculating carbohydrate
requirements as a percentage of the total energy requirement to
instead focus on determining requirements expressed as grams per
kilogram (g/kg) body weight (BW). When the macronutrient intake
is sufficient, total energy requirements will be met. The g/kg BW
requirement ensures that adequate macronutrients are provided in
respect of total energy intake and that there is some flexibility when
it is necessary to individualise nutrition plans according to specific
training regimes.12 Athletes require more energy and macronutrients
in proportion to their body weight, expressed in kilograms, compared
to sedentary individuals. Therefore, according to the ACSM and ADA,
expressing energy and macronutrient needs in terms of grams
per kilogram body weight is a practical method to document these
needs.5

The first of these misconceptions is that all training low methods

necessitate chronic adherence to a low-carbohydrate, high-fat
diet. Although such a diet can improve the bodys ability to oxidise
fat and spare muscle glycogen, it may also impair carbohydrate
metabolism, and therefore the ability to perform at a high intensity.12
Thus, the emphasis is more on the timing of training sessions,
rather than following a deliberate low-carbohydrate diet in order to
achieve depleted glycogen levels for selected training sessions, i.e.
training after an overnight fast, drinking only water during prolonged
workouts, not ingesting carbohydrates during recovery, and taking in
less carbohydrates than those required by the training low.

Daily carbohydrate requirements

Muscle glycogen and blood glucose are the primary sources of
energy for contracting muscles. An optimal dietary carbohydrate
intake enhances recovery and optimises glycogen stores for the next
training session. The habitual dietary requirement for carbohydrates
differs according to the amount and intensity of training and should
focus on including more complex carbohydrates of low-moderate
glycaemic index.3 However, concentrated, nutrient-dense sources of
carbohydrates can be included during difficult and intense training
and when it is a challenge to reach high carbohydrate requirements
because of the high bulk and fibre content of complex carbohydrates.
Low-risk supplements can also be included to achieve the daily
requirements if required (Table II).2,3,12

The second misconception is that research in this field is not

always appropriate. Completed research on untrained individuals,
as well as research on exercise metabolism and exercise science,
cannot always be extrapolated to apply to well-trained individuals,
or directly translate into improved sport and exercise performance
enhancement.12 Currently, there is insufficient research to confirm
whether training low and competing high can improve exercise
performance. However, there is consistent evidence that although
this type of periodisation can lead to the inability to train at high
intensities, especially during sessions that require high intensity
or specific technique and skill, there may be some benefit in
undertaking some training sessions in a glycogen-depleted state,
such as low-intensity or conditioning sessions that are undertaken
at the start of the training season.12

The glycaemic index is a tool designed to rank carbohydratecontaining foods according to the blood-glucose response that is
elicited after consumption of these foods, relative to that of glucose
or white bread.12 There is controversy about the use of the glycaemic
index in sport nutrition. Currently, there are no clear recommendations
for athletes. It has been reported that there is improved metabolism
and substrate utilisation during exercise when low glycaemic index
carbohydrate-containing food is ingested with the pre-exercise
meal.12 However, these studies have not shown improved exercise
performance. It is also known that when carbohydrates are ingested
during exercise, the effect of the glycaemic index on the pre-event
meal is diminished.12 Therefore, ingesting a low glycaemic index
meal pre-exercise might be useful when limited carbohydrate intake
during exercise is possible. However, further research is needed to
confirm this.12 Currently, the most important aspects of carbohydrate

S Afr J Clin Nutr

Carbohydrates before exercise

The limited glycogen stores in the body will only last for approximately
90 minutes to three hours during moderate- to high-intensity
exercise.2 Carbohydrate loading is a strategy that involves changes
to training and nutrition which can maximise muscle glycogen
stores prior to endurance exercise lasting longer than 90 minutes.
This strategy elevates muscle glycogen stores and has been found
to increase endurance and exercise performance.12 This is also
important to maintain muscle tissue stores which can be decreased

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

Table II: Carbohydrate requirements for physical activity2,3,5,12

Physical activity level

g/kg BW/day

Comments

6-10 g/kg BW/day

Depends on the athletes total daily energy expenditure,

type of sport, gender and environmental conditions.

Daily or habitual carbohydrate requirements

ACSM
Athletes
ISSN
General physical activity, 30-60 minutes/day, 3-4 times a week

3-5 g/kg BW/day

Moderate- to high-intensity volume, 2-3 hours/day, 5-6 times a week

5-8 g/kg BW/day

High-volume, intense exercise, 3-6 hours/day, 1-2 sessions, 5-6 time a

week

8-10 g/kg BW/day

Complex carbohydrates.
Low to moderate GI.
Concentrated carbohydrates.

IOC
Low-intensity or skill-based activities

3-5 g/kg BW/day

Moderate exercise programme, ~ 1 hour/day

5-7 g/kg BW/day

Endurance programme, moderate to high intensity, 1-3 hours/day

6-10 g/kg BW/day

Strength-trained athletes

4-7 g/kg BW/day

Extreme commitment, moderate to high intensity, > 4-5 hours/day

8-12 g/kg BW/day

Include pre-, during and post-training intake.

Individual tolerance and preference.
Nutrient-dense choices.

Pre-event/training carbohydrate requirements

ACSM
200-300 g, 3-4 hours
prior

Low in fat and fibre.

High carbohydrates, moderate protein.

Carbohydrate loading

8-10 g/kg BW/day for

1-3 days prior to event

High GI carbohydrate diet.

Pre-event meal

1-2 g/kg BW
carbohydrates 3-4 hours
prior to event

Pre-event meal
ISSN

IOC
General fuelling up for events > 90 minutes

7-12 g/kg BW per

24 hours

Carbohydrate-loading preparation for events > 60 minutes sustained or

intermittent exercise

36-48 hours of 10-12 g/

kg BW per 24 hours

Pre-event fuelling before exercise > 60 minutes

1-4 g/kg BW consumed

1-4 hours prior to
exercise

Low in fibre or residue.

Individual tolerance.
Avoid high-fat protein and fibre (especially if there are
gastrointestinal complaints).
Low GI if no carbohydrates during exercise.

During event or training carbohydrate requirements

ACSM

During exercise > 60 minutes

0.7 g/kg BW/hour

or 30-60 g/hour

This is especially important when no pre-event meal

has been consumed or in the case of exercise in heat or
humidity.
6-8% carbohydrate solution.
Primarily glucose. Fructose alone is not as effective and
can cause diarrhoea. Mixtures of glucose and fructose,
other simple sugars and maltodextrins seem effective.
If the same total amount of carbohydrates are provided,
the form of carbohydrates do not appear to matter (sports
drink, gel or a snack).

30-60 g/hour

Body oxidises 1-1.1 g/carbohydrates/minute or 60 g/hour

6-8% carbohydrate solution.
Start drinking early and continue drinking small amounts
every 15-20 minutes.
Combination carbohydrates increase oxidation (up to 1.21.75 g carbohydrates/minute) (glucose, fructose, sucrose
and maltodextrin recommended, not large amounts of
fructose because of gastrointestinal discomfort).

ISSN

During events > 60 minutes

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

Table II: Carbohydrate requirements for physical activity2,3,5,12

Physical activity level

g/kg BW/day

Comments

IOC
During brief exercise < 45 minutes

Not needed

During sustained high-intensity exercise lasting 45-75 minutes

During endurance exercise including stop and start sports lasting
1-2.5 hours
During ultra-endurance exercise lasting > 2.5-3 hours

Practice plan before event.

Small amounts including Higher carbohydrate intakes associated with increased
mouth rinse
exercise performance.
Multiple transportable carbohydrates should be included
30-60 g/hour
(glucose and fructose mixtures) to increase carbohydrate
oxidation.
Up to 90 g/hour

Post-event or training carbohydrate requirements

ACSM
1.0-1.5 g/kg BW during
first 30 minutes, and
again every 2 hours for
4-6 hours

After exercise

Adequate fluid, electrolytes, energy and carbohydrates.

ISSN
1.5 g/kg BW or
0.6-1.0 g/kg BW during
the first 30 minutes, and Within 30 minutes post-exercise.
again every 2 hours for
4-6 hours

Post-exercise carbohydrate ingestion

IOC
Speedy refuelling, < 8 hours recovery between two fuel-demanding
sessions

1-1.2 g/kg BW/hour

for first 4 hours, then
resume daily fuel needs

Small, regular snacks.

Compact carbohydrate-rich foods.

ACSM: American College of Sport Nutrition, BW: body weight, GI: glycaemic index, IOC: International Olympics Committee, ISSN: International Society for Sports Nutrition

according to different groupings, depending on the duration and

intensity of the exercise programmes. The IOC provides the most
detailed breakdown in terms of recommended daily carbohydrate
requirements.12 This is important as these requirements can be used
to individualise training programmes to a greater extent than the
ACSMs broad guideline.5 The IOC recommendations also distinguish
between strength and endurance training, which further facilitates a
more individualised approach.12

with low glycogen levels.2 The carbohydrate-loading regime is

complemented with the consumption of sufficient carbohydrates
before, during and after the endurance event (Table II).2,12
Carbohydrates during exercise
Common complaints during endurance events include muscle
fatigue and hypoglycaemia, often as a result of low muscle glycogen
stores. Therefore, an increase in liver and muscle glycogen stores,
as well as optimal fluid intake, is needed for peak performance to be
achieved. Symptoms of suboptimal carbohydrate intake include low
levels of energy, heavy legs, fatigue or hitting the wall, a slow rate
of recovery, loss of concentration, dizziness, irritability and fainting.
Ingestion of carbohydrates is recommended during exercise (Table
II). The type, amount and timing of carbohydrate intake during
exercise is important, and should be tailored to individual preference.

Carbohydrate-loading requirement recommendations are provided

by the ISSN2,3 and the IOC.12 The ISSN suggests a lower range (810 g/kg BW) ingested for 1-3 days prior to an endurance event,2,3
while the IOC advocates the ingestion of 7-12 g/kg BW for 24 hours,
or 10-12 g/kg BW for 36-48 hours, prior to the endurance event.12
The traditional approach of carbohydrate loading for three days
prior to an event was based on physically active, rather than welltrained athletes.12 The IOC recommendations are founded on more
recent evidence that suggests that supercompensation of glycogen
stores in well-trained individuals can be achieved by increasing
carbohydrate intake 24-36 hours prior to an event, combined with
training tapering and rest.12 This is an important practical application
as increasing carbohydrate intake for days leading up to an event
can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Also, because of the nature
of carbohydrate loading, not all athletes, such as females, will be
able to ingest such a large amount of carbohydrates for three days
leading up to an event. Therefore, the most suited strategy to the
individual should be used.

Carbohydrates after exercise

Carbohydrate intake is mainly responsible for increasing glycogen
stores. Available evidence indicates that ideal levels of carbohydrate
intake optimise muscle glycogen resynthesis (Table II). Speedy
refuelling is particularly important when there is less than eight
hours of recovery time between events or training sessions.12
The practical application of the abovementioned carbohydrate intake
guidelines is complicated by the variety of intake ranges that are
presented by the three different bodies.
Recommendations for the daily carbohydrate requirements differ
between the three bodies. The ACSM provides a very broad guideline,5
while the ISSN2,3 and IOC12 suggest carbohydrate requirements

S Afr J Clin Nutr

Although there appears to be similarities between the nature of the

pre-event meal, such as being low in fat, fibre and protein, and high

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

in carbohydrates, the actual guidelines between the three bodies

differ. The ACSM (200-300g, 3-4 hours prior),5 the ISSN (1-2 g/kg
BW, 3-4 hours prior)2,3 and the IOC (1-4 g/kg BW, 1-4 hours prior),12
all agree that ingestion of a pre-event meal is important for events
that last longer than 60-90 minutes. Providing a guideline in g/kg
BW allows for some flexibility when individualising nutrition plans
and should be a preferred guideline when working with athletes.
Although the carbohydrate intake range provided by the ISSN and
IOC overlaps, the IOC provides a wider range of carbohydrate intake,
as well as a broader time. This is extremely important in terms of the
practical application of these guidelines. If an athlete has sufficient
time (3-4 hours) before an event, a bigger meal, containing more
carbohydrates (3-4 g/kg BW) can be ingested. This allows for enough
time to ensure gastrointestinal comfort before the event. However,
if there is not enough time before the event (generally the case in
South Africa where running races start at 06h00, for example), the
athlete can consume 1-2 g/kg BW carbohydrates, 1-2 hours prior
to the event.

ambient temperature, and gender and age also influence protein

requirements.3,22
There are increased requirements in the case of strength or resistance
training because protein supports muscle protein synthesis, reduces
muscle protein breakdown and repairs muscle damage.22 Endurance
exercise increases leucine oxidation. Therefore, endurance athletes
may have slightly higher protein requirements than their sedentary
counterparts.22
Dietary protein intake should consist of high quality protein. Protein
quality can be measured by the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino
Acid Score (PDCAAS),22 where a score of close or equal to 1 indicates
protein of high quality. Dietary protein sources with a similar score
include, but are not limited to, milk (casein and whey), egg and meat
products. Isolated soy protein, when all the anti-nutrient components
have been removed, also has a PDCAAS score of 1.22 Milk protein,
compared to isolated soy protein (with equivalent protein and
macronutrient energy) has been shown to increase muscle protein
synthesis after resistance exercise and leads to greater muscle
hypertrophy.22 In general, the benefit of whey and milk proteins was
clear in studies that compared whey, casein and soy, particularly
because of the high leucine content of milk protein.3,22

The three bodies advocate the same requirement in terms of the

amount of carbohydrates to be ingested during events that last
> 60 minutes (30-60 g/hour). 2,3,5,12 Although the ACSM provides
a further individual guideline (0.7 g/kg BW/hour), it has been
proved that exogenous carbohydrate oxidation is approximately
1g per minute.13,14 The IOC also stipulates additional guidelines for
sustained high-intensity exercise that lasts for 45-75 minutes, as
well as guidelines for ultra-endurance exercise that persists for
> 2.5-3 hours.12 All three bodies acknowledge that the combination
of glucose and fructose (as a 6-8% carbohydrate solution) is
effective in optimising exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during
exercise, and that fructose should not be ingested at very high
rates during exercise because of the possible detrimental effect on
gastrointestinal comfort.2,3,5,12 The ISSN further provides evidence15-21
of combining simple sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose
with maltodextrin in order to increase exogenous carbohydrate
oxidation (1.2-1.75 g/minute), and decrease the reliance on liver and
muscle glycogen. These studies15-21 were conducted by the same
research group and are acknowledged in the ACSM position paper.

The optimal timing of protein intake should also be considered when

determining and prescribing protein requirements, as this can lead
to faster recovery times and improved adaptation after training.22
Daily protein requirements
According to the DRIs, and more specifically, the recommended
dietary allowance (RDA), the general protein requirement for
a sedentary person is 0.8 g/kg BW/day.5,22,23 Incidentally, this
requirement suffices for general fitness and can be slightly elevated
to 1.0 g/kg body weight/day.22
The ACSM recommends daily protein requirements for strength and
endurance athletes of 1.2-1.7 g/kg body weight. It is recommended
that these requirements are reached through diet alone. Additional
supplementation is not necessary, especially when the energy intake
is optimal.5

The post-exercise carbohydrate ranges suggested by the three

bodies to increase recovery from exercise are between 1.01.5 g/kg BW.2,3,5,12 All three bodies agree that carbohydrates should
be ingested within 30 minutes after exercise in order to achieve
higher glycogen levels. If an athlete rests for 1-2 days between
exercise sessions or events, specific nutrient-timing strategies are
not as important, provided that enough carbohydrates are consumed
over a 24-hour period and that daily carbohydrate requirements are
met according to the activity level.5 However, in the case of limited
time between exercise sessions, e.g. training more than once per
day or events that comprise multiple-stage races, nutrient timing
and recovery are of critical importance.2,3,5,12 In these instances,
the ACSM, ISSN and IOC recommend that carbohydrates should be
ingested within 30 minutes after exercise and repeated again every
two hours for 4-6 hours.2,3 5 12

The daily protein requirements for physical activity, as recommended

by the ISSN, are summarised in Table III.3
IOC general protein guidelines for athletes are 1.3-1.8 g/kg BW and
1.6-1.7 g/kg BW/day for strength-training athletes.24 Because of the
high energy intake of these athletes, these requirements may be met
easily.24 According to the IOC, protein intake above these guidelines
does not have any additional benefit and can promote amino-acid
catabolism and protein oxidation.24 The IOC recommends optimising
body composition in favour of losing fat and gaining muscle mass
by decreasing daily carbohydrate intake (3-4 g/kg BW/day) and
increasing daily protein intake (1.8-2.7 g/kg BW/day), while following
a hypo-energetic diet and specified training programme.22
Protein before exercise

Protein requirements

The ACSM recommends that a moderate amount of protein is added

to the pre-event meal. No specific guideline on ingestion of protein
before exercise is included in the consensus document.5

Dietary protein requirements are elevated with strength, speed or

endurance training. Energy intake, exercise intensity and duration,

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Protein after exercise

Table III: Daily protein requirements for physical activity3

Daily or habitual protein requirements
Physical activity level

g/kg BW/day

After exercise, the ACSM recommends that the primary goals of

recovery should be to provide sufficient fluid, electrolytes, energy
and carbohydrates to replace muscle glycogen stores and facilitate
recovery.5 The addition of proteins can provide amino acids for the
maintenance and repair of muscle protein, but no specific guideline
has been provided by the ACSM to include protein as part of the
recovery programme after exercise.5

Comments

ISSN

General fitness

0.8-1.0 g/kg BW

Older individuals

1.0-1.2 g/kg BW

Moderate amount of
intense training

1.0-1.5 g/kg BW

High volume of intense

training

Focus on protein quality.

Amino-acid content.
Whole foods.
Safe, convenient
supplements where
needed.

The ISSN recommendation for recovery is to add protein to

carbohydrates at a carbohydrate to protein ratio of 3-4:1, or by
supplementing with 0.2-0.5 g/kg BW protein. This results in increased
glycogen resynthesis and ultimately improved performance.2 The
consensus document also recommends that ingestion of amino
acids, especially essential amino acids (EAA), stimulates muscle
protein synthesis. This can be achieved by adding 6-20 g EAA to
at least 30-40 g high glycaemic carbohydrates and ingesting this
immediately or within three hours post exercise. This addition of
protein to carbohydrates will also result in increased strength and
enhanced body composition during chronic resistance training. The
document also recommends adding a small amount of creatine (0.1
g/kg BW) to the carbohydrate and protein mixture post exercise to
optimise the adaptations of resistance training.2

1.5-2.0 g/kg BW

The ISSN recommends that, depending on the individuals

exercise duration and fitness level, protein should be included with
carbohydrates in the pre-event meal before resistance exercise
or when a desired change in body composition is required.2 This
can be achieved by including 0.15-0.25 g/kg BW protein with the
recommended 1-2 g/kg BW carbohydrates in the pre-event meal 3-4
hours before training or competition.2
The IOC states that although preliminary evidence appears to support
increased muscle protein synthesis in response to resistance training
when protein is given before exercise, follow-up studies have failed
to confirm this finding. Therefore, the current opinion of the IOC
is that protein should be ingested after exercise at a time that is
associated with optimal muscle protein synthesis.24

Current IOC guidelines also advocate the ingestion of protein after

exercise, as this is when maximal stimulation of muscle protein
synthesis is required.24 The IOC recommends that 20-25 g of high
quality/or high biological value protein is included after resistance
exercise.22 The combination of carbohydrates and protein post
exercise is important to restore muscle glycogen and promote
protein synthesis.24 Protein intake that exceeds this recommended
amount does not promote muscle protein synthesis, but can lead to
protein oxidation.24 The dietary protein form of choice is flavoured
low fat milk. It shows beneficial improvements in muscle synthesis.22

Protein during exercise

The ACSM states that evidence pertaining to the benefit of the
addition of protein to carbohydrate solutions during exercise is
inconclusive. No recommendation is made in this regard in the
consensus document.5

Although there appears to be consensus between the ACSM, ISSN

and IOC that the daily protein requirements of athletes range between
1.2-2.0 g/kg BW/day, there are differences in the ranges provided.
The ACSM provides a broad range (1.2-1.7 g/kg BW),5 whereas
the ISSN gives recommendations according to training volume and
intensity.3 Although these guidelines overlap, the ISSN guidelines are
based on publications by the same author and do not include the
entire spectrum of published papers on protein intake and exercise.

According to the ISSN, the addition of protein to carbohydrates

(carbohydrates to protein ratio of 3-4:1) during exercise has
shown promise in recent literature. It has been demonstrated to be
favourable in terms of improving endurance performance, increasing
muscle glycogen stores, reducing muscle damage and promoting
better training adaptations after resistance training.2 However, it is
not known whether this addition of protein is because of the added
energy that is available for substrate utilisation. Although the ISSN
advocates adding protein to carbohydrate intake during endurance
exercise, more research in this field is needed as there is insufficient
evidence to support this unequivocally.5,24-26

The IOC provides specific recommendations for strength-training

athletes and those who wish to prevent loss of lean body mass and
to promote fat loss.22,24 It is recommended that athletes who want
to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat should follow these
guidelines.

The IOC refers to recent evidence that suggests that co-ingestion

of carbohydrates and essential amino acids is beneficial before and
during resistance exercise as it increases substrate availability and
exercise performance, improves the anabolic hormonal environment,
stimulates muscle protein synthesis and decreases muscle damage
or tenderness. However, the IOC concludes that current guidelines
promote the ingestion of protein at a time that is associated with
maximal stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (after exercise), and
do not provide any recommendations for protein intake before or
during a workout.24

S Afr J Clin Nutr

Guidelines for protein intake before and during exercise are provided
by the ISSN only, while the ACSM advocates a moderate intake of
protein before exercise. Although there has been some evidence that
supports the intake of protein before exercise,27 follow-up studies
have failed to unequivocally support this practice.28,29 There is also
inconclusive evidence to support the use of protein during endurance
exercises.5, 24-26

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

There is consensus from the ACSM, ISSN and IOC on the beneficial
effect of the ingestion of ~20 g protein with carbohydrates within
30 minutes post exercise. This recovery strategy can be achieved
through dietary sources. Additional supplementation is not warranted.
Although the ISSN recommends,3 and the IOC recognises,24 that the
addition of creatine monohydrate as a supplement after exercise can
increase skeletal muscle hypertrophy after resistance training, the
practical application of this is questionable as currently, the sport
supplement industry is not regulated in South Africa. Also, the risk
of ingesting contaminated supplements is high. It is proposed that
the ingestion of creatine after exercise is not necessary and can
even be harmful to health. The same result can be achieved with
the ingestion of sufficient carbohydrates and high biological value
protein within 30 minutes after exercise. This can be achieved easily
by the ingestion of a low-risk supplement which has the correct
carbohydrate to protein ratio, such as a liquid meal replacement,
especially if the athlete cannot consume a meal because of practical
constraints, or because of the appetite-suppressing nature of
exercise.

Table IV: American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on fluid and

electrolyte replacement for physical activity5,6
Fluid and electrolyte recommendations for physical activity

During exercise

Fluid programmes should be customised for each

individual, based on body weight measurements before
and after exercise.
Athletes should aim to prevent > 2% body weight loss
during exercise.
Fluids should contain carbohydrates and electrolytes to
maintain fluid balance and exercise performance..

After exercise

Normal meals and beverages will induce euhydration.

If more rapid recovery is required, 1.5 l of fluid per kg
body weight loss during exercise should be ingested.
Beverages and snacks should contain sodium to help
with rapid recovery, stimulation of thirst and fluid
retention.

athletes body weight is lost through sweat. Athletes should not only
rely on thirst as an accurate indicator of fluid needs. Body weight
should be measured before and after exercise sessions to determine
sweat loss. It is also recommended that, in order to maintain fluid
balance and prevent hypohydration, fluid should be ingested at a rate
of 0.5-2 l/hour. Also, there should be frequent (every 5-20 minutes)
ingestion of small amounts of fluid (150-200 ml). Recommended
fluid intake should be increased in hot and humid environments.
Excessive techniques to reduce body weight, such as the use of
diuretics, vomiting and saunas, are inappropriate and dangerous to
human health.3

Fat requirements
The fat requirements of athletes are similar, and are slightly higher
than those in non-athletes. It is important to consume adequate
amounts of fat to ensure optimal health, maintenance of energy
balance, optimal intake of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble
vitamins, as well as to replenish intramuscular triacylglycerol stores.
The amount of required fat depends largely on the training status
and goals of the athletes.3,5
The ACSM recommends that daily fat intake for athletes should
be 20-35% of total energy intake and that fat intake should not
decrease below 20% of total energy intake, as the intake of fat is
important for the ingestion of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty
acids.5 High-fat diets for athletes are not recommended.5

The IOC suggests that sufficient fluid should be consumed during

exercise to limit dehydration to less than approximately 2% of
body mass. Sodium should be included when sweat losses are
high, especially if exercise takes place for more than two hours.
Athletes should not drink so much that they gain weight during
exercise. During recovery from exercise, rehydration should
include replacement of both water and salt lost in sweat.31 It is
also recommended that sodium should be added to fluids during
exercise that lasts > 2 hours, as well as in fluids that are ingested by
athletes who have lost more than 3-4 g sodium in their sweat during
exercise.31 It is recommended that following exercise that leads to
loss of body weight because of sweat loss, water and sodium are
consumed in amounts that are greater than those of the losses (34 g), in order to achieve optimum recovery of water and electrolyte
balance.31 This is especially important at times when rapid recovery
is required (< 24 hours), as well as in cases where a body weight
loss of > 5% body weight is recorded.31

The ISSN suggests a moderate fat intake of 30% of total energy for
athletes. This can increase to 50% of total energy for high-volume
training,3 i.e. elite competitor training of 40 hours/week (like the
Ironman). In order to reduce body fat or lose body weight, a fat intake
of 0.5-1.0 g/kg BW/day is suggested.3 Optimisation of the type of
dietary fatty acids is important. The focus should be on increasing
dietary sources of unsaturated or essential fatty acids.3
The IOC recommends following a diet that does not contain less than
15-20% fat of total energy.30
It is suggested that athletes should be cautious of high-fat diets (>
30% of total energy intake). The recommendation from the ACSM
regarding fat intake should suffice for any athlete. A high-fat intake
can be at the expense of carbohydrate intake and may have negative
effects on training and racing performance.

Although alternative recommendations are also provided

by Noakes,32,33 the scope of this review is to summarise the
recommendations by the ACSM, ISSN and the IOC. As these
guidelines are similar, the suggestion is that athletes calculate
their own individual fluid needs in order to prevent hyper- and
hypohydration.

Fluid and electrolyte requirements

The 2007 and 2009 ACSM guidelines for fluid and electrolytes are
summarised in Table IV.5,6
The ISSN exercise and sport nutrition review document states that
a decrease in sport performance is evident if 2% or more of an

S Afr J Clin Nutr

Before exercise

Pre-hydration should be initiated several hours before

exercise to ensure fluid absorption and normal urine
output.
Beverages and sodium-containing and salted snacks
can increase the sensation of thirst and retain fluids.

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

Micronutrient requirements

that some athletes do not consume a healthy diet that contains

antioxidant food groups, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables,
nuts and seeds, and that antioxidant supplementation is not toxic
or harmful to human health.34 On the other hand, it is believed that
although exercise can promote oxidative stress, there is no evidence
to support the theory that this exercise-induced oxidative stress is
detrimental to human health or performance, and that participation
in regular exercise increases the bodys own ability to produce
endogenous antioxidants. If energy requirements are met, and
the athlete is able to ingest all of the various dietary antioxidants,
additional supplementation should not warranted and toxic levels
may impair muscle functioning and reduce training adaptations to
exercise.34 In light of the above controversy in the available literature,
the IOC recommends that athletes should not consume antioxidant
supplements and that caution should be exercised, particularly with
the use of single-nutrient, high-dose antioxidant supplements.34

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients in terms of providing a

health benefit, although the ergogenic effect of most micronutrients
is still unclear and warrants further research.
The ACSM recommends that no additional vitamin and mineral
supplementation is needed if an athlete obtains sufficient
energy from a wide variety of foods.5 The ACSM further allows
for micronutrient supplementation that is unrelated to exercise
performance, such as folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.5
Supplementation may be individually prescribed by the attending
healthcare professional for certain athletes, such as those restricting
energy intake, vegetarians, people who are ill, recovering from injury
or with specific medical conditions.5 Vegetarians may require vitamin
B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin and zinc supplementation.
According to the ISSN, specific vitamins may exhibit some health
benefit, e.g. vitamin E, niacin, folic acid and vitamin C.3 However,
few have been reported to provide direct ergogenic properties. Some
vitamins may assist physically active individuals to endure heavy
training and exercise, thereby improving exercise performance.3 In
particular, vitamins C and E may decrease oxidative damage caused
by vigorous training schedules and may also help to support a
healthy immune system. Minerals are essential nutrients too, and
are important for most bodily functions. Some studies have shown
mineral deficiencies in athletes. These can impact negatively
on sports performance.3 The health and ergogenic value of some
minerals has been studied. These include calcium, which reduces
the risk of developing premature osteoporosis, and maintains body
composition; iron, particularly in the case of athletes who are prone
to iron deficiency; sodium phosphate, which increases maximal
oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold and endurance capacity;
sodium chloride, to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance; and zinc,
which decreases exercise-induced changes in immune functioning.
However, there is little evidence to link improved sporting
performance to boron, chromium, magnesium or vanadium.3

Vitamin D supplementation is also becoming more popular, not only

in the athletic arena, but also in the general population, as studies of
the latter have reported vitamin D deficiencies in certain population
groups.34 In the case of athletes, there is particular concern about
athletes who work out indoors, reside at higher latitudes and have
dark pigmented skin. In sport, various factors hinder an athletes
exposure to sunlight, and therefore the amount of vitamin D that
is synthesised by athletes. Clothing, the use of sunscreen, ageing,
skin pigmentation, training times during the day, seasonal factors,
cloud cover and latitude may all influence vitamin D synthesis
from sunlight. Vitamin D supplementation might have an ergogenic
effect in athletes who do not have adequate levels of vitamin D,
but there have been limited experimental studies in this regard.34
Some studies have found that there is a direct link between vitamin
D status and jumping height, velocity, muscle tone, muscle power
and hand-grip strength, while others have suggested that there
is a reduction in the rate of stress fractures when vitamin D is
supplemented with calcium.34 In general, the arguments against
vitamin D supplementation are that it is not supported by a strong
body of evidence, and that since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin,
and it can accumulate in the body and cause toxic side-effects
such as nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness,
weight loss, mental confusion, irregularities in cardiac rhythm and
calcification of soft tissues, all of which would negatively impact
on exercise performance and general health.34 There are also large
inter-individual differences in the way in which individuals respond
to vitamin D supplementation.34 Current guidelines are opposed to
vitamin D supplementation, unless it is medically warranted. It is
also recommended that athletes have at least 5-30 minutes of direct
sun exposure on the arms and legs several times per week between
10h00 and 14h00. Because vitamin D and calcium metabolism are
so closely linked, it is also recommended that at the very least, DRI
levels of calcium (obtained from dietary sources) must be reached
in athletes.34

The ISSN recommends that a normal nutrient-rich diet that contains

a variety of food groups should provide sufficient amounts of
micronutrients in most cases. Athletes who are susceptible to lowenergy intake, or who purposefully restrict energy intake to lose or
maintain body weight, might be at risk of developing micronutrient
deficiencies.3 Low doses of multivitamin and mineral combinations
may be prescribed, or vitamin- and mineral-enriched liquid meal
replacements taken in such cases. However, this should be carried
out in consultation with the dietitian and in combination with altered
eating habits.3
The IOC recognised and evaluated two specific micronutrients in
its latest consensus statement, namely antioxidant and vitamin
D supplementation. Antioxidants have been popular in literature
and research studies. There are arguments for and against the
use of these by athletes.34 Arguments that support antioxidant
supplementation propose that this group of micronutrients is able to
decrease the reactive oxygen species that forms during exhaustive
exercise.34 Free radicals can promote muscular fatigue, and in turn,
decrease exercise performance.34 These arguments also suggest

S Afr J Clin Nutr

Therefore, currently, there are no clear guidelines on micronutrient

supplementation in athletes and which suggest that athletes should
be monitored on an individual basis.3,5,34 A healthy, balanced diet,
which includes all the different food groups, as well as adequate
exposure to sunlight, should provide sufficient micronutrients. The

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

recommendation by the ACSM and the ISSN that groups who are
at risk (including athletes on severe energy-restricting diets, and
perhaps those following vegetarian diets), may benefit from taking
a low-dose, multivitamin and mineral supplement, or from including
micronutrient-fortified, liquid meal replacement supplements in
their diet, after consultation with a medical doctor and dietitian, is
supported.3,5

supplementation when nutritional needs can be met via dietary

intake, the use of supplements that pose a risk of a positive doping
outcome and supplement use by young athletes (< 18 years).8,35
The IOC cautions against the widespread use of supplements,
especially in terms of acute or long-term effects on health, positive
doping outcomes and possible detrimental effects on exercise
performance.8,35 Current regulations that govern supplement use
are more liberal compared to those by the pharmaceutical market.
Often, supplements either contain little or no active ingredient or
too much of certain toxic nutrients. They may also contain harmful
impurities, such as lead, broken glass and animal faeces because
of poor manufacturing practices.8,35 The majority of products on the
market fail to reach expected standards.8,35 Other involved risks
include inaccurate labelling, failure to declare the ingredients on the
label and cross-contamination of supplements.8,35

Sports food and supplement requirements

The ACSM has concluded that athletes should be counselled
regarding the appropriate use of ergogenic aids. Such products
should only be used after careful evaluation for safety, efficacy,
potency, and legality.5
The ISSN 2010 review notes that while some supplements might
have a beneficial effect on athletic performance, no amount of
supplementation will compensate for inadequate dietary intake.3

Supplements and sports food are used extensively by athletes

at various levels, as well as by non-athletes. Although the use of
some supplements may have added benefits in terms of improving
body composition, sports performance and overall health, the risk
to benefit ratio needs to be carefully considered before embarking
on the widespread use of supplements. Dietary supplements are
poorly regulated in South Africa and other countries. Although
the manufacturers of these products are not allowed to state that
a supplement can prevent or treat any illness or disease without
sufficient scientific evidence, monitoring is not thorough. Regulation
of supplements is also further complicated by the widespread sale
thereof on the Internet. This promotes the use of supplements from
unidentified sources.

According to this consensus document, supplements are categorised

in the following manner according to safety and efficacy:
Apparently effective and generally safe: These supplements
include weight-gain powders, creatine, protein, EAAs, lowcalorie foods, ephedra (a banned substance), caffeine, water
and carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, sodium phosphate and
bicarbonate and beta-alanine.
Supplements that are possibly effective: These include
-hydroxy--methylbutyrate in untrained subjects, branched
chain amino acids (BCAA), calcium, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
and green tea extract.
Supplements whose effectiveness is too early to tell: The list
extends to -ketoglutarate, -ketoisocaprate, ecdysterones,
growth hormone-releasing peptides and secretogues, ornithine-ketoglutarate,
zinc-magnesium
aspartate,
chitosan,
phosphatidl choline, betaine, Coleus Forskolin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), psychotropic nutrients or herbs and
medium-chain triglycerides.
Supplements which are apparently not effective or are dangerous
to use: Examples of such supplements are glutamine, smilax,
isoflavones, sulphopolysaccharides, boron, chromium, CLA,
gamma oryzanol, prohormones, tribulus terrestris, vanadium,
calcium pyruvate, chitosan, L-carnitine, phosphates, herbal
diuretics, ribose and inosine.3

The product safety and purity, claimed benefits and safety of the
supplement for short- and long-term, needs to be considered
carefully before it is taken.8 Poor quality control of supplements on
sale in pharmacies and supermarkets can also potentially increase
the likelihood of athletes obtaining negative results in doping tests.8
Poor hygiene and lack of good manufacturing practices can result in
supplements containing impurities such as lead, broken glass and
animal faeces, which carries obvious health risks for athletes and
other users.8 Direct or deliberate, and indirect contamination of dietary
supplements with undeclared and unlabelled anabolic steroids also
places supplement users in a difficult position.8 Some supplements
may not contain the exact amount of ingredients that are listed on the
label as a marketing tool. Athletes may be unaware of the potential
negative effects of using these supplements.8 Currently, the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not distinguish between deliberate
cheating and inadvertent doping, and the responsibility and future
athletic career of the individual rests solely with the athlete.3,35 For
further reading on banned substances in sports, readers are referred
to the latest WADA code, as well as South African Institute for DrugFree Sport (www.drugfreesport.org.za).

According to the IOC, the following supplements increase exercise

performance. This is strongly supported by evidence:
Alkalinising agents (sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate)
increase anaerobic exercise performance.
L-arginine boosts aerobic endurance. (There is little, but
convincing evidence in this regard).
Beta-alanine enhances anaerobic and aerobic exercise
performance.
Caffeine improves endurance and reaction time.
Creatine increases performance in strength and power events.
Nitrate advances aerobic endurance exercise.
Carbohydrates, proteins, water, electrolytes and amino acids
have ergogenic properties.35

Conclusion
The aim of this review was to summarise and critically analyse key
concepts, elements and guidelines from the ACSM, ISSN and IOC
consensus documents. No single consensus document provides
all the necessary guidelines and recommendations needing

The IOC strongly discourages the indiscriminate use of supplements,

S Afr J Clin Nutr

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Review Article: Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition

for consultation with an athlete with regard to sport nutrition.

Therefore, a combination of these and other guidelines should
be used to individualise the nutritional management of athletes.
Apart from the abovementioned guidelines and recommendations,
sport-specific nutritional strategies should also be implemented in
training programmes to aid in exercise, sports performance and
recovery.30,36-39 A nutritionally complete, balanced diet should provide
ample amounts of energy, carbohydrates and protein to ensure
sustained exercise performance and optimal nutrition to support
exercise performance.

16. Wallis GA, Rowlands DS, Shaw C, et al. Oxidation of combined ingestion of maltodextrins
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from multiple transportable carbohydrates ingested during prolonged exercise. Med Sci
Sports Exerc. 2004;36(9):1551-1558.
18. Jentjens R, Jeukendrup AE. High exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates from a
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fructose during exercise. J Appl Physiol. 2004;96(4):1277-1284.
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21. Currell K, Jeukendrup AE. Superior endurance performance with ingestion of multiple
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