Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition is a category of manufactured foods, beverages, and supplements used as ergogenic aids to enhance athletic performance. More than 90% of elite competitive amateur athletes and 75% of recreational athletes use these products on a regular basis. Sports nutrition is also increasingly mainstreamed, marketed to everyday consumers as convenience food to boost energy, improve appearance, and aid in weight loss. Increased use of these products warrants a review of health and ethical concerns as sports nutrition marketing often make claims of product efficacy not supported by adequate scientific evidence and supplements and, in particular, lacking sufficient regulatory oversight. This entry focuses on sports nutrition product types, user groups, regulation of the industry, and health considerations associated with the use of these products inside ...