Nutrition for winter sports

Abstract

Winter sports are played in cold conditions on ice or snow and often at moderate to high altitude. The most important nutritional challenges for winter sport athletes exposed to environmental extremes include increased energy expenditure, accelerated muscle and liver glycogen utilization, exacerbated fluid loss, and increased iron turnover. Winter sports, however, vary greatly regarding their nutritional requirements due to variable physiological and physique characteristics, energy and substrate demands, and environmental training and competition conditions. What most winter sport athletes have in common is a relatively lean physique and high-intensity training periods, thus they require greater energy and nutrient intakes, along with adequate food and fluid before, during, and after training. Event fuelling is most challenging for cross-country skiers competing in long events, ski jumpers aiming to reduce their body weight, and those winter sport athletes incurring repeated qualification rounds and heats. These athletes need to ensure carbohydrate availability throughout competition. Finally, winter sport athletes may benefit from dietary and sport supplements; however, attention should be paid to safety and efficacy if supplementation is considered.

Nutrition in the Wilderness

“…9,18 First, at altitude, there is a 10% to 30% increase in basal metabolic rate. 9,13 This may be partially due to lack of quality sleep at high altitudes. 13,17 Second, people at high altitudes often experience symptoms of acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness), which decreases appetite and can induce vomiting, resulting in a lower EI.…”

“…In cold climates, the human body expends energy to sustain a sufficient core temperature. 13 Because of this, EE is much higher in people in a cold environment than other environments. 9,13 People participating in cold-weather exercise often lose up to 8% of their body weight.…”

“…13 Because of this, EE is much higher in people in a cold environment than other environments. 9,13 People participating in cold-weather exercise often lose up to 8% of their body weight. 13 Given the high EE of polar climates, the high EI present in the diet is necessary in order to maintain energy balance.…”

“…15 Exacerbating this danger is that in cold weather signs sometimes associated with dehydration (sweating and thirst) are frequently absent. 9,13 High Altitude…”

“…9,13 People participating in cold-weather exercise often lose up to 8% of their body weight. 13 Given the high EE of polar climates, the high EI present in the diet is necessary in order to maintain energy balance. Consuming a sufficiently high EI can prove difficult, especially for inexperienced travelers.…”