Importance of precision nutrition in sports

Source: The post Importance of precision nutrition in sports has been created, based on the article “A nutrition strategy would have averted Olympic agony” published in “The Hindu” on 12th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Governance – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: The article discusses the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics due to being slightly overweight. It emphasizes the need for precision nutrition in sports, highlighting how tailored dietary plans and continuous monitoring can improve athlete performance and prevent such issues.

What Happened to Vinesh Phogat?

1. Vinesh Phogat, an Indian wrestler, was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024. She was found to be 100 grams over the permissible weight limit.
2. This incident highlighted a gap in the Indian sports support system.
3. Vinesh reportedly spent an entire night trying to shed the extra weight.
4. Similar extreme measures were taken by another Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal, who starved herself for two days to make weight.
5. This situation underscores the importance of precision nutrition and continuous monitoring to avoid such setbacks.

Why is Precision Nutrition Important in Sports?

1. Tailored Dietary Plans: Precision nutrition creates dietary plans based on an athlete’s specific needs, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
2. Data-Driven Approach: It uses systems biology and multi-omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) combined with bioinformatics to make personalized recommendations.
3. Continuous Monitoring: Wearable sensors and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) help track athletes’ responses to food and adjust diets accordingly.
4. Preventive Measures: Athletes in weight-based sports, like wrestling, struggle to maintain weight; precision nutrition helps avoid extreme weight-loss methods like starvation and dehydration.
5. Real-World Examples: Olympian Eliud Kipchoge uses CGMs to enhance his performance, demonstrating how precision nutrition provides a competitive edge.
6. Health and Performance: It ensures athletes maintain peak condition, preventing disqualifications, as seen with Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics 2024.

How Can Technology Help?

1. Glucose Monitoring: Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) track blood glucose responses to food in real-time. For instance, Olympic swimmer Chelsea Hodges used CGMs to manage energy levels during training.
2. Data-Driven Decisions: The use of systems biology and multi-omics approaches provides evidence-based nutrition recommendations, enhancing athlete performance and health.

What Role Do Sports Nutritionists Play?

1. Expertise in Precision Nutrition: Nutritionists trained in precision nutrition use data-driven approaches, integrating genomics and metabolomics, to provide evidence-based recommendations.
2. Support in Weight-Based Sports: Nutritionists ensure athletes stay within weight categories without compromising performance, using safe and effective methods.

Conclusion:

The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat at the Paris Olympics underscores the need for better nutrition strategies in sports. Precision nutrition, supported by technology like continuous glucose monitors (CGM), can significantly improve athletes’ performance. Although the Union Cycliste Internationale bans CGM use in competitions, their potential in training shows promising benefits. As this technology is still developing, further exploration could enhance its effectiveness and integration in sports.

Question for practice:

Examine how the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024 highlights the importance of precision nutrition and technology in sports.