Question

The 1-day food record below is from a male athlete who is trying to “eat better to be able to work out harder during soccer practice.” You have reviewed the 1-day record and have started your first consultation with him. What information do you need to clarify with the athlete about his diet? List 5 specific questions you will ask him, and describe why you would ask each question. (Hint - Figure 10.5 pg 286 in your book to help guide you) Please include the 7 steps of initial consultation with an athlete and use specific examples of each step on how you will consult with this athlete.

1-Day Food Record

Breakfast

1 bagel with cream cheese

1 cup orange juice

1 bowl dry cereal

1 cup milk

Lunch

2 ham and cheese sandwiches

1 bag potato chips

1 large apple

3 chocolate chip cookies

Dinner

2 cups macaroni and cheese

3 spears cooked broccoli

1 roll with butter

1 diet soda

Answer 1

Questions I will ask the athlete :

1.) How long the athelete has been following this diet.

Diet plans effect is seen only after following it for quite a number of days. Assessing a persons nutritional status based on a diet which he has started only few days before leads to wrong conclusions

2.) At what time does he take each meal

Timing of having a meal is very important in athletes. Minimum 4 hrs break should be given between each meal and strenuous exercise should not be carried out immediately after food.

3.) How much water and fluid he takes in a day

Fluid intake has a great beneficial effect on the health of the athlete. Dehydration is lethal and is a common problem faced by sportsmen.

4.) The quantity of extra protein taken per day

Proteins are the muscle building components of the diet and they play an important role in athletes. But excess of protein is dangerous.

5.) What supplements(creatine, DHEA, GH) the athletes takes

Supplements should always be in the form of healthy food and not pills or powders or injections.

7 steps of initial consultation for athlete's nutrition :

1.) Establish rapport with the athlete:

a)Maintain Eye Contact. Maintaining eye contact communicates care and compassion.

b)Show Empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand the patient's situation, perspective and feelings.

c)Open Communication.

d)Make it Personal.

e)Active Listening

2.) Clarify athletes reason for nutritional consultation

At the most basic level, nutrition is important for athletes because it provides a source of energy required to perform the activity. Athlete's point if view should be noted.

3.) Complete nutrition assessment

A comprehensive nutritional assessment includes (a) anthropometric measurements of body composition; (b) biochemical measurements of serum protein, micronutrients, and metabolic parameters; (c) clinical assessment of altered nutritional requirements and social or psychological issues that may preclude adequate intake

4.) Assess athletes readiness for change

During competition, athletes should strive to ingest 30–60 grams of carbs per hour. ... No two sports are the same—and based on the energy system used, athletes need different diets in order to optimize their performance.

5.) Determine nutritional goals

main role of nutrition may be to support consistent intensive training which will lead to improved performance. Meeting energy demand and maintaining body mass and body fat at appropriate levels are key goals.

6.) Educate athlete relative to nutrition goals

If athletes don't eat properly, their bodies are less likely to achieve peak performance and may even break down rather than build up muscles. Athletes who don't take in enough calories every day won't be as fast and as strong as they could be and may not be able to maintain their weight.

7.) Summarize and schedule for next visit

Tell all the points once again, and make sure he visits you once more.