Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance
Abstract
It is the position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine that physical activity, athletic performance, and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimal nutrition. These organizations recommend appropriate selection of foods and fluids, timing of intake, and supplement choices for optimal health and exercise performance. This updated position paper couples a rigorous, systematic, evidence-based analysis of nutrition and performance-specific literature with current scientific data related to energy needs, assessment of body composition, strategies for weight change, nutrient and fluid needs, special nutrient needs during training and competition, the use of supplements and ergogenic aids, nutrition recommendations for vegetarian athletes, and the roles and responsibilities of sports dietitians. Energy and macronutrient needs, especially carbohydrate and protein, must be met during times of high physical activity to maintain body weight, replenish glycogen stores, and provide adequate protein to build and repair tissue. Fat intake should be sufficient to provide the essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as contribute energy for weight maintenance. Although exercise performance can be affected by body weight and composition, these physical measures should not be a criterion for sports performance and daily weigh-ins are discouraged. Adequate food and fluid should be consumed before, during, and…
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The only consistently reported side effect from creatine supplementation that has been described in the literature has been weight gain.
“The only consistently reported side effect from creatine supplementation that has been described in the literature has been weight gain [5, 22, 46, 78, 91, 92, 112].”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine (2017) · cites this paper as [91]
Professional organizations, athletic governing bodies, and the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health recognize creatine monohydrate as a safe, effective, and legal nutritional strategy to enhance performance and training adaptations.
“Based on this evidence, professional organizations [12,16–18], athletic governing bodies [19]; and the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health [20] recognize CrM as a safe, effective, and legal nutritional strategy to enhance performance and training adaptations.”
From Safety of creatine supplementation: analysis of the prevalence of reported side effects in clinical trials and adverse event reports (2025) · cites this paper as [17]
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- Authors
- Rodriguez, N. R., DiMarco, N. M. E., & Langley, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Connecticut (US)
- Venue
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-03
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 509-527
- ISSN
- 0002-8223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2203778909
- Cited by
- 912
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 73 · 2015: 74 · 2014: 64 · 2013: 76 · 2012: 62
- FWCI
- 26.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- sports nutrition, athletic performance, post-exercise recovery, energy demand, macronutrient requirements, carbohydrate intake, protein intake, dietary fat intake, body composition, weight change, fluid intake, hydration, sports drinks, electrolytes, dehydration, hyponatremia, vitamin and mineral supplements, ergogenic aids, sports dietitians, nutritional assessment
- MeSH terms
- Blood Glucose, Canada, Dehydration, Dietetics, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Nutritional Requirements, Physical Endurance, Societies, Sports, United States, Water-Electrolyte Balance, Exercise, Evidence-Based Medicine
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