Abstract

This book synthesizes and analyzes the literature on nutrition in athletic performance. The opening pages recount the historical aspects of nutrition and athletic performance, including the nutritional faddism prevalent in contemporary athletics. A look at human energy and metabolic concepts follows, leading in to a series of chapters that individually elaborate on the role in physical activity of all of the major nutrients: carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water and electrolytes. Remaining chapters deal with such important topics as the effects of alcohol and caffeine, purportedly ergogenic foods, basic considerations of nutrition for health, weight control for health and physical performance, and the special nutritional concerns of athletes and other physically active individuals. Klappentext