The sports medicine professionals at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health of Honolulu, HI, know that for athletes of all levels, proper training and exercise are not enough to achieve strong results. Just as nutrition and exercise go hand-in-hand for any kind of healthy lifestyle, they are both critically important for athletes who want to excel in their sports.

Below, the team at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health explains the ways in which your diet and nutrition affects the results of your training:

• Each Sport Is Different: Depending on your sport and training regimen, your body will need specific nutrients that may differ significantly from those of another athlete. For instance, a marathon runner would likely require different levels of carbohydrates than someone participating in a lifting competition. It’s important to fuel your body according to the type of training you do so you have sufficient energy to get through long or strenuous training workouts.

• Recovery Is Critical: When you train, you’re essentially tearing your muscles. In order to recover and rebuild those muscles — and get the most out of all the hard work you’ve put in — you need to refuel properly. Lean, healthy proteins are essential for providing your muscles with the nutrition they need to rebuild themselves so you can become stronger.
• Your Diet Needs Balance: In general, most athletes need to achieve a balance among three critical macronutrients for performance optimization. These nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Keep in mind that despite the fact that the framework for nutrition is the same for most athletes, your needs will vary depending on the frequency and intensity of your training, as well as your specific goals.

If you’re interested in receiving nutrition guidelines to complement your training regimen, you can schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health by calling (808) 521-8170. You can also visit their website for more information about their functional nutrition services.