In This Issue:
Nutrition provides critical support for the extreme physical and cognitive demands placed on elite athletes, military service members, and first responders. In the lead article, Stuart Phillips, PhD, provides evidence-informed protein recommendations that best support exercise adaptation, including optimal protein intake, timing of protein consumption, and source of protein.
Nutrition needs and considerations vary for each of these high performance populations. Supporting articles in this issue outline practical tips, recipes, and the role of soy in meeting the unique dietary needs of military service members, first responders, and elite athletes.
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WORKING WITH ELITE ATHLETES, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS: A DIETITIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
By Marie Spano, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD,
Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role supporting the extreme physical and cognitive demands placed on elite athletes, military service members, and first responders. These populations operate in challenging environments that require individualized evidence-based dietary strategies to enhance performance, health, and recovery.
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EVIDENCE-INFORMED RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROTEIN AND ITS ROLE IN SUPPORTING EXERCISE ADAPTATION
By Stuart Phillips, PhD,
The health benefits of exercise are universally recognized and supported by evidence. Exercise provides a set of signals to skeletal muscles to adapt. The stress of exercise, be it energetic or structural stress, leads to muscle adaptations that try to lessen the stress of the subsequent exercise sessions.
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HEALTHY HANDOUT: NUTRITION NEEDS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS
By Joanne Villaflor, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD,
Diet is pivotal in enhancing performance and resilience, especially for elite athletes, military service members, and first responders who push their bodies to the limit in demanding environments. Service members and first responders operate in high-stress environments where physical and mental performance is critical for mission success and personal safety. Their nutritional requirements may differ based on the nature of their duties, environmental conditions, and operational tempo. For example, soldiers deployed in combat zones may require nutrient-dense rations optimized for durability, portability, and shelf stability, while firefighters combating wildfires may face challenges in maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance under extreme heat.
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HEALTHY HANDOUT: NUTRITION NEEDS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR ELITE ATHLETES
By Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN,
Protein is a regular topic of conversation among health professionals supporting elite athletes. Many elite athletes want to consume more plant proteins for performance as well as personal health. While plant-forward diets are sometimes associated with concerns about protein quality and adequate protein consumption, the primary need among this group is identifying convenient solutions for busy schedules and frequent travel.
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