Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury
Athlete participation in the Paralympic games is steadily increasing; prompting research focused on the unique needs of this population. While the Paralympic Games includes a diversity of athletes, athletes with a spinal cord injury (PARA-SCI) represent a subgroup that requires specialized recommend...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.652441/full |
| _version_ | 1828887311254814720 |
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| author | Joelle Leonie Flueck Jill A. Parnell |
| author_facet | Joelle Leonie Flueck Jill A. Parnell |
| author_sort | Joelle Leonie Flueck |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Athlete participation in the Paralympic games is steadily increasing; prompting research focused on the unique needs of this population. While the Paralympic Games includes a diversity of athletes, athletes with a spinal cord injury (PARA-SCI) represent a subgroup that requires specialized recommendations. Nutritional guidelines designed to optimize performance, in the context of the neurological impairments, are required. This narrative review summarizes the current literature regarding the importance of dietary protein for optimal health and performance. Factors with the potential to affect protein needs in PARA-SCI including loss of active muscle mass, reduced energy expenditure, and secondary complications are examined in detail. Furthermore, we analyze protein intakes in PARA-SCI from the available research to provide context around current practices and trends. In conclusion, we make the case that protein recommendations for able-bodied athletes may not be directly transferable to PARA-SCI. Consequently, PARA-SCI need their own guidelines to maximize performance and ensure long-term health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:02:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ebce85a3ecca47db845554e1e51f38fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:02:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-ebce85a3ecca47db845554e1e51f38fb2022-12-21T23:47:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2021-04-01810.3389/fnut.2021.652441652441Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord InjuryJoelle Leonie Flueck0Jill A. Parnell1Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Institute for Sports Medicine, Lucerne, SwitzerlandDepartment of Health and Physical Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, CanadaAthlete participation in the Paralympic games is steadily increasing; prompting research focused on the unique needs of this population. While the Paralympic Games includes a diversity of athletes, athletes with a spinal cord injury (PARA-SCI) represent a subgroup that requires specialized recommendations. Nutritional guidelines designed to optimize performance, in the context of the neurological impairments, are required. This narrative review summarizes the current literature regarding the importance of dietary protein for optimal health and performance. Factors with the potential to affect protein needs in PARA-SCI including loss of active muscle mass, reduced energy expenditure, and secondary complications are examined in detail. Furthermore, we analyze protein intakes in PARA-SCI from the available research to provide context around current practices and trends. In conclusion, we make the case that protein recommendations for able-bodied athletes may not be directly transferable to PARA-SCI. Consequently, PARA-SCI need their own guidelines to maximize performance and ensure long-term health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.652441/fullsports nutritionspinal cord injuryparalympic athletesamino acidswheelchair athletesdietary protein |
| spellingShingle | Joelle Leonie Flueck Jill A. Parnell Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury Frontiers in Nutrition sports nutrition spinal cord injury paralympic athletes amino acids wheelchair athletes dietary protein |
| title | Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_full | Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_fullStr | Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_full_unstemmed | Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_short | Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury |
| title_sort | protein considerations for athletes with a spinal cord injury |
| topic | sports nutrition spinal cord injury paralympic athletes amino acids wheelchair athletes dietary protein |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.652441/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joelleleonieflueck proteinconsiderationsforathleteswithaspinalcordinjury AT jillaparnell proteinconsiderationsforathleteswithaspinalcordinjury |