Module 9 Lecture 1 Nutrition for Child and Adolescent Athletes

Question 1

Exercise Physiology and Children

Answer 1

Children have heightened metabolic needs and nutrient requirements relative to adults.

Question 2

Key Physiological Differences

Answer 2

• bone health/ development
• glycogen utilization
• energy expenditure
• thermoregulation

Question 3

Bone health/development differences

Answer 3

• Children’s bones are more porous and cartilaginous than adults
• Bones (epiphyseal plates) are not “sealed” together until after puberty
• Childhood and adolescence are also key periods for bone development
• Heightened calcium requirements need to be factored into diet planning and recommendations.

Question 4

Glycogen utilization differences

Answer 4

Cardiac stroke volume is lower while heart and respiratory rate, O2 consumption, and glycogen storage capacity are lower in children.
* Children less efficient at aerobic metabolism than adults and less able to draw upon glycogen stores to fuel endurance activity

Question 5

Energy expenditure differences

Answer 5

Not as efficient at movement and do not adapt to training as efficiently as adults
* Net results is a relative increase in energy expenditure per kg body weight versus adults
* E.g. Kids burn more calories/kg than do adults performing the same activity at the same relative intensity.
* Children and youth also have heightened energy expenditure related to growth

Question 6

thermoregulation differences

Answer 6

Children produce more body heat but tend to sweat less due to immature sweat gland system
* Sweat glands do not mature until well into puberty
* Fluid needs to support the increased metabolic needs associated with growth must also be considered.
* Children can also lack awareness of the sensation of thirst – may not drink enough as a result

Question 7

Estimating Energy Requirements

Answer 7

Estimated Energy Requirement (kcal/day) = Total Energy Expenditure + Energy Deposition

Question 8

What to monitor with energy requirements

Answer 8

• Weight changes
• Hunger
• Sport performance

Question 9

Estimating Fluid Requirements

Answer 9

calculate sweat and urinary fluid losses and provide fluid to replace
* Goal: Meet DRI for fluid for children/youth (by age/gender) then top up based on sweat losses (Estimate and monitor)
* Sweat losses in children range from 0.5 L to 1.0 L/day ABOVE daily fluid turnover of non- athletic children

Question 10

tips for Meeting Fluid Requirements

Answer 10

Pre-training or competition hydration is critical:
* Encourage use of water fountains at school or water bottles in the classroom
* Make water bottles mandatory at all practices/training sessions
* Work with coaches to ensure they recognize and honour the athlete’s fluid needs
* Encourage extra fluids at lunch in prep for afterschool training

Question 11

Canadian Pediatric Society Position
Statement (2017) on Fluid Replacement Beverages

Answer 11

“Sports drinks are generally unnecessary for children engaged in routine or play-based physical activity.”
* This does not mean that child athletes should not use fluid replacement beverages
* Children’s thirst can be enhanced by adding sodium chloride (NaCl) and carbohydrate in amounts typically found in sports drinks

Question 12

Canadian Pediatric Society Position
Statement (2017) on Fluid Replacement Beverages

Answer 12

“Sports drinks are generally unnecessary for children engaged in routine or play-based physical activity.”
* This does not mean that child athletes should not use fluid replacement beverages
* Children’s thirst can be enhanced by adding sodium chloride (NaCl) and carbohydrate in amounts typically found in sports drinks