NewZNew (Chandigarh) : The Department of Clinical Nutrition, Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali in association with Indian Dietetic Association (IDA), Chandigarh Chapter conducted an ‘Annual Dietetics Meet’ on sports nutrition at MSSH today. The workshop was meant for athletes and practicing nutritionists. It was held in collaboration with PGI , Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Sector -32 and Govt Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector -16.
Dr Geetanjali Bhide, Sports Nutritionist Consultant, Faculty for Sports and Exercise Nutrition, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan and SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai was the Chief Speaker at meet. Among others Ms. Ritika Samaddar, Regional Director, Dept. of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, Ms. Shivani Gulati, Head , Department of Dietetics and Mr. Sandeep Dogra, VP- Operations, MSSH were also presented.
Speaking during occasion, Dr. Bhide said that optimal nutrition was the ‘base’ of high level of achievement in sports. The sports nutrition course covered current nutrient recommendations for athletes from various sports. It gave practical guidelines and strategies to meet the nutritional needs during different phases of training, competition, pre and post game meals, protein, muscle hypertrophy and hydration guidelines for athletes. Body composition and physical fitness components that would determine success in sports, were ascertained with special reference to Indian athletes.”
Ms. Samaddar said that today sports have a completely different perspective. It was fast becoming a great career options for the future generations. Nutrition for athletes involved science besides many other factors that must be considered to achieve maximum results.
“Ironically a recent scientific survey revealed that the majority of athletes, trainers, and other professionals tending to the sportsman did not have a working knowledge of what would constitute a good sports nutrition program. Thus it was our endeavor to provide scientifically based renaissance of high-tech performance nutrition.”
Ms. Gulati informed that sports was no longer believed to be practiced only in leisure time today. Now it was one of the major parameter to judge a country’s development and growth. From fuelling to recovery, muscle building to weight making the optimal nutrition would ensure the best platform for one sporting success. However with the prevalence of increased risk of non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, fad diets, alcohol, use of steroids for weight gain and weight loss, the need to educate the nutritionist has emerged significantly . Now children from the very beginning were involved with sports activities in schools. Many of them would become players and participate at state or national level. The focus should be science based concepts about good nutrition and hydration right for the start, asserted Ms. Gulati.