University of Hertfordshire

Kreider and colleagues provided a review of the sports nutrition literature, and focused on the use of dietary supplements, and the use of nutrition as an ergogenic aid to achieve performance enhancements (Kreider et al., 2010). They concluded that the five cornerstones to enhancing performance and training adaptations are: maintaining an energy balance, a nutrient-dense diet, prudent training, proper timing of nutrient intake, and obtaining adequate rest (Kreider et al., 2010). For a text on the basics of sports nutrition the reader would do well to seek out work by Louise Burke (Burke, 2007; Burke & Deakin, 2000; Hawley & Burke, 1998), however, it is not the purpose of this chapter to repeat those basics, but rather to focus on issues relevant to judo. One of the aims of this chapter is to assist the judoka to understand how to achieve the most benefit from their nutrition. There are two types of nutrients: 1 Macronutrients, these are carbohydrate, fat, and protein. They provide the necessary energy to maintain body functions at rest and during various forms of physical activity, such as judo.