Issues to Consider

NCAA Nutrition and Performance - Student-Athlete

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

Prioritize your health. Remember your current decisions regarding food, exercise and body weight impact you today and for the rest of your life.

Be sensitive to your body. Warning signs like fatigue, sluggishness, irregular or no menstrual cycle or chronic pain are medical issues that should not be ignored. Your health is being compromised if your "optimal" body composition for performance includes these symptoms.

Realize hydration is important and your body weight may fluctuate due to water retention, especially in females. This is normal.

Modify weight added for sport to a healthy level upon completion of college athletics. You should maintain a weight and fitness level appropriate to your profession and lifestyle after college.

Understand that for each student-athlete there is a UNIQUE body composition for performance. Do not try to achieve a body composition or weight based on someone else's performance.

Realize the same volume of muscle weighs more than fat. Training may result in a leaner body composition (less fat) but a larger number on the scale because of the increased muscle mass. This is especially important to understand if you are just beginning a formal strength and conditioning program.

Recognize that team weigh-ins or body composition measurements are not acceptable unless for health issues. The exception to this regarding weigh-ins would be for sports like wrestling which have specific weight categories.

Engage in conversations regarding any weight or body composition modifications with nutritional and medical personnel and the student-athlete. In most cases, coaches should be removed from this process. Discussions should include:

1. Mutual agreement and understanding by all parties.

2. A rationale for change based on the individual's situation.

3. A valid measure to indicate whether improvement occurs in performance and health.

4. A defined end goal and an established rate (e.g. no more than 1.5% of body weight per week) to achieve goal.

Include defined performance measures (e.g. vertical jump) as a part of any weight modification program to determine if performance truly is impacted.

Understand healthy nutrition choices and ask for help from appropriate health professionals (i.e. athletic trainer, team physician, dietitian, etc.) if you need more information.

Know where to go for help regarding a teammate's or a coach's behavior before a problem exists. Disordered eating can be "contagious" among teams through peer pressure.

Become empowered through your institution's SAAC or athletics administration to address issues of concern on your campus. Your value to a coach or team is NOT measured by a number on a scale or skinfold caliper.