All Articles by Suzanne Nelson, Sc.D., RD

Training for and competing in endurance events like cross-country running and skiing, triathlons and bicycle racing significantly lowers muscle and liver glycogen stores. Muscle glycogen depletion is a well-recognized limitation to endurance performance. Athletes who train exhaustively on successive days must consume adequate carbohydrate and calories to prevent the cumulative depletion of muscle glycogen. Here are some nutritional recommendations for endurance athletes.

A variety of sports require intense exertion for periods of 4 to 10 minutes or longer. The 1,500 meter run, wrestling matches, middle-distance swimming events, and rowing contests all demand maximum effort without rest. Here are some tips on what your child should eat and drink in the days leading up to the event.

If your child is playing stop-and-go sports (basketball, football, volleyball, hockey etc.) or participating in short-duration events (gymnastics, sprints to middle distances in track etc.), here's are some tips on what he should eat and drink on the day of competition.

What should your child eat in the days before competing in stop-and-go sports such as soccer, basketball, or football? Here's some advice from nutritionist Suzanne Nelson.

Advice to parents in evaluating whether their child is eating the kind of diet that is best for peak athletic performance.