Paralympic Nutrition Insight

by Emma Gardner, EIS Performance Nutritionist Intern - 04.09.12

After the huge success of the London Olympic Games, the Paralympics Games are now underway and already proving to be a triumph for ParalympicsGB.

The London 2012 Paralympics has already set two records with over 4,200 athletes from 160 countries taking part and an estimated 2.4 million tickets sold, making it the highest spectator Paralympics on record.

The English Institute of Sport (EIS) has two Performance Nutrition practitioners who specialise in working with disability sports, including Stephanie Shreeve with British Disability Swimming and Mhairi Keil with British Wheelchair Basketball.

Below, Shreeve gives her insights into Performance Nutrition for athletes with disabilities:

"Nutrition for a Paralympic athlete needs to be highly individualised as the range of different
classifications is extensive from athletes who are wheelchair bound, to physically impaired and those with learning difficulties.

"We work closely with the multi disciplinary team to tailor the support to the individual athletes. 

"Nutrition guidelines can be challenging to implement as there is a limited evidence base of research conducted with Paralympians.

"Guidelines often used with able bodied athletes advised in grams per kilogram of body mass (g/kg/BM) may be inaccurate for certain disability athletes, particularly those missing limbs.

"Individual trials prior to competition help to develop specific competition plans for the athletes. Recovery strategies are particularly important ensuring the athletes replenish carbohydrate and protein following training sessions.’

"Disability sport athletes are now highly trained and many of the concepts including hydration and recovery are similar for all elite performance."

Within the EIS the combination of knowledge of practitioners with Dietetics and Nutrition backgrounds supports a multi disciplinary approach for the Paralympic sports due to the unique requirements and clinical concepts.

ParalympicsGB looks set to achieve a large medal haul at this year’s games making it their most successful games ever.

Photography © Getty Images