Nutrition for Para-Athlete Flashcards
What is a para-athlete?
includes:
physical and visual impairments
impaired function (strength, range of motion, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis)
impaired structure (limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature)
What are some main considerations for a para-athlete?
increased or decreased energy expenditure
drug interactions
insufficient support at mealtimes
difficulty swallowing
increased leptin
increased or decreased sweating rates
bowel disregulation
increased lactate accumulation
decreased bone mineral density
Specific considerations for spinal cord injury athlete?
loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic function
loss of LBM below lesion (impacting energy expenditure and glycogen storage)
decreased BMD
Neurgenetic bladder, etc.
impaired glucose uptake
impaired thermoregulation
Why can less LBM below lesion put athletes at risk for type I diabetes?
less ability to take up glucose - GLUT-4 receptors at muscles
Considerations for an athletes with hemiplegia / hemiparesis?
brain injury, cerebral palsy
acquired or congenital
movement disorder –> spasticity, reduced ROM, hypertonia, possible impaired efficiency of movement, impact on ambulation status
What is Keely’s disability?
hemiplegia
What are some considerations for limb deficiency?
level impacts needs
reduced LBM and body surface area
possibly reduced REE, impaired movement efficiency, reduced evaporative heat dissipation capacity, reduced glycogen storage capacity
What are some considerations for visual impairments?
similar physiological/nutritional responses and needs as able-bodied counterparts
may require additional support with prepping and plating
possibly higher cortisol levels
How is para-athlete nutrition knowledge?
inadequate knowledge
no guidelines for para-athletes
condition specific considerations
What are the 3 main considerations for para-athletes?
LBM, spasticity, satiety
What is known about REDs for para-athletes?
limited research
challenges optimizing energy intake
potentially altered
potentially altered LBM, changing exercise energy expenditure
hard to assess cut-offs in para-athletes
What % of females in para-athletics are suspected to have REDs?
What % of males?
75% of females
33% of males
How are carbs important for para-athletes?
for maintaining training intensity, managing fatigue, immune function, sustain training adaptations, thermoregulation
What should be considered for para-athletes in terms of fibre intake?
Also consider fibre intake.
May impact GI issues
Many para-athletes do not meet requirements for fibre
Slow and steady increase in fibre intake and water consumption may help benefits of fibre without too much of an increase in GI concerns.
Fibre also increases time it takes to digest.
What might be the most difficult macronutrient for para-athletes?
protein
