Sports Dietetics
Dietetic Services for Athletes
Healthcare on Collins proudly offers sports Dietitian services to the Melbourne community.
The service involves guiding athletes in optimising their nutrition for training sessions and race days, including adequate fueling and hydration strategies. Additionally, insights into effective recovery methods are utilised to support optimal performance.
Consultations take place at Healthcare on Collin’s Melbourne clinic or via Telehealth.
What to Expect When Consulting a Sports Dietician
The first appointment is 60 minutes in duration which allows the clinician to ascertain a detailed history of the patient, the appointment includes:
Assessment topics:
- Medical history,
- Background in past training endeavours, including nutrition strategies that have worked/ not worked,
- Sporting performance and nutrition related goals,
- Detailed review of the weekly training plan,
- Detailed review of daily eating behaviours, both day-to-day and during longer sessions,
- Race day nutrition & hydration strategies.
Optional inclusions:
- Customised meal plan tailored to training sessions.
- Flexible meal options to suit preferences.
Addressing additional concerns:
- Weight management goals.
- Gut symptoms during sports.
- Optimisation of energy levels.
Patient Profiles
The Sports Dietitian at Healthcare on Collins typically caters to individuals engaged in endurance-based sports (i.e. running, cycling, and triathlon events).
Sports dietetics is beneficial for athletes seeking to:
- ✔Enhance recovery
- ✔Minimise injury and illness risks
- ✔Optimise performance through nutrition
- ✔Learn proper fueling strategies for their sport, train the gut to tolerate carbohydrates before and during events, and
- ✔Manage gut symptoms effectively
How Does Diet Affect Athletic Performance?
Nutrition:
Proper fueling before and during events is vital for sustaining energy levels and preventing hitting the “wall.” Maximising carbohydrate intake per hour, without causing gastrointestinal discomfort, significantly impacts performance.
Consuming an adequate amount of carbohydrates before, during, and after exercise helps to replenish glycogen stores in the muscles and liver. Consuming appropriate and adequate protein after exercise helps the muscles repair and rebuild, reducing muscle soreness and enhancing training adaptations.
Additionally, training the gut to tolerate higher carbohydrate loads can enhance endurance.
Hydration:
Understanding sweat rates and sodium loss is helpful for maintaining hydration levels and preventing cramping. Personalised hydration plans are developed based on individual sweat rates, which vary widely.
Pre-event preparation involves assessing sweat rates in various conditions, ideally over several months, through pre- and post-exercise weighing. Some athletes may opt for sweat testing to refine hydration strategies further.
Preventing Hyponatremia:
Overhydration leading to hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition, is a concern in endurance events.
Monitoring fluid intake to avoid excessive water consumption and adding appropriate sodium to drinks is crucial for preventing this condition.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDS)
REDS occurs when an individual does not consume enough energy to match the energy expended during physical activity.
This can lead to significant health issues. In females, common symptoms include irregular menstruation, while poor performance, multiple bone stress injuries, fatigue, and low iron levels can occur in men and women.
Diagnosis typically requires consultation with a sports doctor or GP, with nutrition playing a crucial role in the recovery process.
University Qualified, Sports Specialist Dieticians
Healthcare on Collins is suitable to provide sports dietetics and high-quality care to meet your requirements, the Dietician(s) possess:
- ✔University degree in Dietetics
- ✔Accredited sports dietitian through postgraduate qualifications from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
- ✔Membership with Sports Dietitians Australia
- ✔Certified Level 1 ISAK anthropometrist, skilled in measuring body composition using skinfold callipers
Call Us
(03) 9650 4284
FAQ
How do athletes and Dieticians monitor their nutritional needs and adjust based on their intensity or schedule?
Athletes and Dietitians monitor nutritional needs by assessing energy levels, maintaining detailed food and training logs, and observing how the body reacts to different foods pre- and post-workout.
Performance and gut tolerance are crucial indicators of progress. For instance, an endurance athlete may track improved race times and fewer gastrointestinal issues during training and competition.
While occasional body composition monitoring is possible, the primary focus remains on enhancing performance through proper nutrition rather than targeting specific body composition changes.