Although injuries can happen in athletes, there are several nutritional solutions that can be implemented to reduce risk and decrease recovery time. To reduce the risk of injury, it is crucial that athletes do not present low chronic energy availability, as this is an important risk factor for bone injuries. In addition, it is also crucial for the health of muscles, tendons and ligaments to ensure that there are no dietary deficiencies, especially low protein, vitamin C, D, copper, omega-3 and calcium. Therefore, this highlights the importance of athletes having access to qualified nutritional support to help them achieve their goals without compromising their health. Understand below the role of nutrition in the context of injuries.
Considerations when an injury occurs
If an injury occurs, one of the main considerations during treatment is to ensure that lean muscle mass is not lost and that enough energy is consumed to allow repair without significantly increasing body fat. It is crucial to understand the change in energy demands while ensuring sufficient protein consumption for repair, especially as muscle can become resistant.
In terms of tendon health, there is a growing interest in the role of gelatin to increase collagen synthesis. Studies show that gelatin supplementation can improve cartilage thickness, decrease knee pain and can reduce the risk of injury or speed up back to workouts. Thus, providing a prophylactic and therapeutic treatment for tendons, ligaments and potentially bone health.
Finally, it should be emphasized that, whenever possible, food is prioritized rather than relying solely on supplements. When supplementation is required, athletes should seek appropriate advice. This includes qualified personnel with up-to-date knowledge of supplement contamination and anti-doping regulations.
Clinical practice
Several nutritional strategies, including the proportion of macro and micronutrients, as well as total energy intake are important to reduce the risk of injury and improve recovery time with a focus on injuries to skeletal muscle, bone, tendons and ligaments.
referencesBody
Study suggestion:
Nutritional strategies in the recovery process of muscle injuries in sport
Watch the video on Science Play with Marcio Bacci:
Prevention of Joint Injury
Article: Nutrition and
Treatment of Injuries in Track and Field Athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Metab Exerc
. 2019;29(2):189-197. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0290
