Dietary Periodization

Definition

Dietary periodization is a nutrition strategy that involves adjusting the diet to match different phases of an athlete's training cycle, aiming to improve performance and recovery.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Dietary periodization refers to the strategic manipulation of macronutrients, caloric intake, and supplementation corresponding to different training phases (e.g., pre-season, competition phase, off-season) to optimize an athlete's physiological adaptations, enhance performance, and support recovery.

Benefits

• Optimizes physical performance during various training phases.
• Enhances recovery by aligning nutrient intake with training demands.
• Supports energy balance and muscle retention during intense training.
• Improves body composition by adjusting nutrient intake to training goals.
• Reduces risk of overtraining and nutrient deficiencies.

Examples

• Increasing carbohydrate intake during high-intensity training periods.
• Focusing on protein and healthy fats during recovery or strength-building phases.
• Adjusting caloric intake based on training intensity and competition schedule.

Additional Information

• Known issues: Improperly implemented dietary periodization can lead to inadequate energy availability or nutrient imbalances, potentially affecting performance and health.

Related Terms

• Macronutrients
• Sports Nutrition
• Carbohydrate Loading
• Nutrient Timing
• Periodization Training

References

• The Role of Nutritional Strategies in Periodized Training Programs
• Dietary Practices and Periodization of Nutrition in Sport
• Periodization of Nutrition for Athletes: A Review