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Injury forces intake changes
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ADAPTING TO INJURY
When an athlete sustains an injury, there is often a forced period of rest or a reduction in training for a certain period of time. The lack of intensity reduces the amount of energy consumed when compared to a regular training programme, so it’s vitally important for an athlete's diet to reflect that change.
We spoke to nutritionist Sally Jordan about tackling the problem...
Q: Do you find injuries create common nutritional problems?
Sally Jordan: There are two common problems with nutrition and injury. Firstly, an athlete continues to eat the same amount even though the training load is reduced. Intake then exceeds requirements, which encourages weight gain. Secondly, an athlete can overcompensate for the reduced training load by reducing their food intake by too much. There are still baseline energy requirements even if the athlete isn’t training at all. Simply reducing the intake without proper thought, may result in a loss of lean body mass and decreased immune system function.
Q: So what should an athlete do?
SJ: If the injury demands decreased/no training for one week or less, a normal intake should be maintained. The energy normally used for training may be used to help repair the injury. Any excess energy consumed in this week can easily be balanced out by a return to full training the following week.
If the injury demands decreased/no training for longer than one week, then a reduction in intake may be required to prevent weight gain. It’s still necessary to meet particular carbohydrate and protein requirements for any training that is done, but these may be different to regular training requirements.
Q: What would the advice be if a long-term lay off from training was necessary?
SJ: If the injury is more severe, for example a broken bone or an infection, energy and protein requirements are high in the initial stage of recovery but are then dependent on activity levels. The severity of the injury will determine the amount of training the athlete is able to do, and determine nutritional requirements.
In any situation, energy and nutrient intake should be adjusted to minimise changes in body composition, to ensure a return to full training and competition as soon as possible.
Q: Are there any golden rules?
SJ: The main message is to eat a nutritious, well balanced diet that meets requirements for the amount and type of training including any rehab exercises.
Photography © Getty Images
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