Nutritional Recommendations for Divers

Abstract

Competitive diving involves grace, power, balance, and flexibility, which all require satisfying daily energy and nutrient needs. Divers are short, well-muscled, and lean, giving them a distinct biomechanical advantage. Although little diving-specific nutrition research on performance and health outcomes exists, there is concern that divers are excessively focused on body weight and composition, which may result in reduced dietary intake to achieve desired physique goals. This will result in low energy availability, which may have a negative impact on their power-to-weight ratio and health risks. Evidence is increasing that restrictive dietary practices leading to low energy availability also result in micronutrient deficiencies, premature fatigue, frequent injuries, and poor athletic performance. On the basis of daily training demands, estimated energy requirements for male and female divers are 3,500 kcal and 2,650 kcal, respectively. Divers should consume a diet that provides 3-8 g/kg/day of carbohydrate, with the higher values accommodating growth and development. Total daily protein intake (1.2-1.7 g/kg) should be spread evenly throughout the day in 20 to 30 g amounts and timed appropriately after training sessions. Divers should consume nutrient-dense foods and fluids and, with medical supervision, certain dietary supplements (i.e., calcium and iron) may be advisable. Although sweat loss during indoor training is relatively low, divers should follow appropriate fluid-intake strategies to accommodate anticipated sweat losses in hot and humid outdoor settings. A multidisciplinary sports medicine team should be integral to the daily training environment, and suitable foods and fluids should be made available during prolonged practices and competitions.

The risk of low energy availability in Chinese elite and recreational female aesthetic sports athletes

“…Chinese elite athletes have previously won Olympic and World Championship medals in aesthetic sports, including trampolining, diving, and rhythmic gymnastics. It has been established that athletes who perform at a high level in aesthetic sports (e.g., rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, diving, and dancing) in Western countries are at a higher risk of LEA [12,[15][16][17][18], however the prevalence of LEA in populations of Chinese athletes has not been established. In China, recreational sports such as Latin dance and aerobics are very popular among women of various ages, and Chinese women participate in such recreational sports in order to maintain physical and mental health, and change their body composition [19].…”

Diving response after a one-week diet and overnight fasting

“…To obtain lengthy apnoeas divers try to minimise oxygen consumption and to this end nutritional status may also affect their results. Generally, a pre-competition or training meal eaten 1–4 h before exercise should provide adequate fluids and nutrients to ensure optimal carbohydrate availability and hydrated status without gastrointestinal distress [ 1 , 2 ]. However, splancnic filling may contrast diaphragmatic excursion and pulmonary expansion.…”

Sports Nutrition Advice for Adolescent Athletes

“…Even within a sport, field players have different needs from goalies, and swimmers have different needs from divers. 2,3 Delving into these sport-specific nuances is beyond the scope of this review, but there are several books written by registered dietitians (RDs) to guide athletes and practitioners more specifically. [4][5][6][7][8] Nonetheless, the common goal for every athlete is to achieve healthy eating behaviors centered on nutrient-dense and varied food choices, adequate hydration, dietary patterns that feature balanced meals and snacks to properly fuel training and competition and to enhance recovery, and intuitive eating behaviors that connect mind, body, and performance for the most successful outcomes.…”