Checklist

NCAA Nutrition and Performance - Coach

Issues to Consider In Creating A Positive, Competitive Environment Regarding Optimal Nutrition, A Positive Body Image and Peak Performance

Nutrition, optimal body composition and body image are current issues of concern for college student athletes.

Both weight gain AND weight loss are student-athlete concerns. This is true for males AND females.

Graduating student-athletes should be counseled on the effect of decreased activity on dietary needs and how to maintain a healthy weight during life after college.

Proper nutrition is key to optimal performance.

Select restaurants that offer healthy food choices when traveling, this includes fast food. Also, make sure the athletes eat enough before and after competition.

A tight uniform doesn't necessarily result in a competitive advantage. Consider body image concerns when choosing uniforms, especially shorts.

Avoid frequent weight / body composition checks. A student-athlete should be focused on their performance and workout, not worrying about their weight.

Become better educated on nutrition and disordered eating issues, including warning signs (see NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook guideline: 2E, 2F, and 2G).

Become a counselor in addition to a coach. Teach leaders and captains to be open to their teammate's worries and concerns off the field or court.

Eating disorders are contagious and can spread through a team. Have a plan ready in case suspicious behaviors arise. Know who to talk to.

Avoid inappropriate comments such as:

"You look like you've lost weight; are you on a diet?"

"You need to lose five pounds in the next week."

"I'll take away your scholarship money if you don't lose 15 pounds."

Instead, incorporate positive comments and actions into your routine, such as:

"If our team conditions more, it'll raise our level of competition. By becoming more fit, we'll have a steady foundation to build on. Let's do this together."

Study how proteins, carbohydrates, fats and sugars affect your performance and your body. Discuss how many servings a student-athlete should eat a day -- during preseason, in season and postseason.

Educate student-athletes that the scale may read more for a leaner body, because muscle weighs more than a comparable amount of fat.

If you must confront student-athletes on any weight or body composition issues, discuss your concerns and ideas with nutritional and medical personnel first and see how they suggest handling it. In most cases, coaches should be removed from this process. Conversations should include:

Mutual agreement by all parties.
A rationale for change based on that individual's situation.
A valid performance measure to show whether improvement occurs.
A defined end goal and an established rate (e.g. no more than 1.5% of body weight per week) to achieve goal.

Maintain confidentiality with any weight or body composition information.