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QUESTION: Is good nutrition and hydration really that important?
Frank: Year after year, I witness the results of players who choose to ignore proper nutrition and hydration, both on the practice field and during tournaments. Nutrition and hydration (healthy lifestyle) are crucial components in maximizing athletic performance. An athlete’s nutrition and hydration directly impact their physical, mental and emotional game. As parents, we must insist that our players fuel up properly before, during and after battle.
Just because athletes expend so much energy doesn’t mean calories from junk food are okay. Improper nutrition and hydration guarantee poor decision-making skills due to low blood sugar levels in the brain, increased fatigue, headaches, nausea, cramps… etc.
“Poor nutrition and hydration can ruin any real chance of an athlete staying at their optimal performance status. Remember, to win a 64-draw event, a player must be performing at his peak level.
about 15 sets in 5 days.”
The following true story illustrates the importance of a good diet.
It’s 7:00 am at the Riviera Tennis Club in Palm Springs, California. The top tennis players from across the country arrived last night for the first round of the prestigious National Championships.
As I walk down a hall in the west wing of the hotel, I hear Leslie coming through the door: “Mom…STOP!!! I’m not hungry. Don’t make me eat anymore! I’m too nervous. I’m not hungry!” This was an ongoing pre-match battle for Leslie and her mother Carol and this time would prove catastrophic.
Carol does her best to avoid an emotional fight right before Leslie’s match and gives up her job to make sure Leslie is prepared for a three-hour fight in the scorching heat of Palm Springs. “So much for your need for nutrition and hydration… I give up,” Carol shouts.
The first match on Court 7 went to three tough sets, so Leslie will start her scheduled 9am match around 10am. Leslie, who is a top seed and a far superior athlete, jumps out to a commanding 6-2 lead in the first set. Halfway through the second set, her wheels fall off. Leslie can’t seem to concentrate; her body feels uncoordinated and unsteady. She complains of feeling dizzy, as if she is going to faint. Leslie starts making unforced errors left and right. She leaves the second set 4-6. At the start of the crucial third set, the time is now 11:30 am. Leslie hasn’t nourished her body since last night’s dinner at 6:30, which was 16 hours ago.
Guess who goes up in flames and loses the third set 1-6? You got it, Leslie! Her disappointing first-round loss was directly related to her stubbornness to properly fuel her body.
“Improper nutrition and hydration can negate good technical, mental and emotional training.”
Athletes who use improper nutrition and hydration can expect the following:
- Lethargic playing
- Decreased strength and reaction time
- Low physical, mental and emotional stamina
- Decreased concentration, reduced court awareness and problem-solving skills
- Emotional breakdowns
- Delayed muscle repair and recovery
- Severe risk of dehydration and possible heat stroke (with only 1-2% dehydration)
Nutrition and the athlete
Due to the individualized nutritional and hydration needs of athletes, specific individualized recommendations should be prescribed to maximize performance. (For more information, visit the USTA/ITF websites or consult a qualified sports nutritionist.)
Since I am not an expert in nutrition, in the next post I will highlight the basics of nutrition and hydration for a competitive athlete: a healthy, balanced diet, proper hydration and nutritional timing!
#good #nutrition #hydration #important