Nutrition Key To Performance Says Cycle Expert

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2014–15 National Health Survey (NHS), 50% of people aged 18 and over (50%) do not eat the recommended serves of fruit and vegetables needed for optimal health.

Chris knows a thing or two about sport. With an extensive career in Sports Management and Human Movement Mr. Ball's position at Cycling Australia and as the owner of cycle studio Crank and Grind places him in good stead to assist and educate those that are active.

“Australians are not getting enough nutrition! In an optimal diet, the supply of required energy and nutrients needs to be adequate for tissue maintenance, repair, and growth. Complex carbohydrates, proteins,  good fats, vitamins, and minerals required to maintain the body in great health is crucial in choosing foods” says Chris.

Many people are putting in the hard yards for their training schedules and upcoming events, but are they supplying their body with the correct amounts of components needed to fuel the body?

Numbers from AusRunning show that in 2017 alone there were more than 24700 marathon performances, and website Cycling Helmets released figures to show that on any given day there are 1,119,638 cyclists. Australians participating in active events are on the rise. “Athletes fuel and train, not diet and exercise” says Chris.

“Sports performance is multi-disciplinary in nature,” says Chris.  Athletes, coaches but also importantly everyday people participating in sport must be aware of the complex issues that can impact on their performances but more importantly their overall health.

"It is when all these factors come together and work as an integrated performance system that excellence in high-performance sport is possible. Food that is nutrient-dense, with a combination of healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates are what provide our bodies with the correct fuel to maintain immune health and energy, says Chris. “It isn’t always easy to obtain this with the food we are in contact with. Sometimes supplementation may be necessary. There are companies in Australia producing endurance nutrition. However, we encourage people to source good quality that has the science behind it.”

Chris and his team urge anyone engaging in sport, performance or general wellbeing to be aware and educated about what they put in their mouths. For information about this article go to:  NEWS