Table of Contents:

[ Health / Dietary / Liquid ]
[ Carbohydrate / Fat / Protein ]
[ Vitamin / References ]

What are vitamin and mineral requirements of student athletes?
Vitamins and minerals play an important role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and lipids and in muscle function. Vitamins serve as a cofactor with specific enzymes that regulate metabolic pathways and the synthesis of specific tissues ( Murray and Horswill, 1997). Some studies recommend increased amounts of vitamins and minerals to balance the extra energy and metabolic demands that student athletes experience. (Refer to nutrition web sites for detailed information.)

Do student athletes benefit from increased vitamin and mineral intakes?
Some research does not support the rationale that student athletes who are in heavy training need to increase vitamin requirements (Vander Beek, 1985; Fogelholm et. al., 1993; Murray and Horswill, 1997). According to Murray and Horswill (1997), recommendations for increasing vitamin intake in student athletes have been established for individuals with inadequate levels of these nutrients. For example, student athletes recovering from illness and injury may be deficient in trace elements and may need to increase their intake of vitamins and minerals.

Team sports. According to Sobal, (1994) many athletes in team sports perceive the need to supplement their diets and therefore add vitamin and mineral supplements at mealtimes.

Short duration, high intensity sports. According to Fogelholm (1993, student athletes who consume a diet which contains a variety of food sources should satisfy their nutritional needs and therefore they should not need vitamin supplements; however, during competition some student athletes may develop deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin C, the B vitamins, thiamin, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and niacin (Fogelholm, 1993).

Long duration, moderate intensity sports. Nieman et al. (1989) and Gabel et al. (1995) have suggested that most endurance athletes should supplement their diet with vitamins. Murray and Horswill (1997) suggest that as long as the athlete is meeting the adequate dietary needs by eating a wide variety of foods, the vitamin intake should be sufficient.