Choose a Sport
Selected Sport and Characteristics
The sport I chose is tennis. The season differs for each level of tennis. Professional tennis
players compete almost if not all year. However, the National Collegiate Athletic Association
season lasts about 3 to 4 four months with championship matches in May.1
The training sessions include a combination of training such as strength training and
cardiovascular exercises. In addition to preparing athletes for tennis matches, training sessions
also focus on upper and lower extremity injury prevention. For example, Vasenina et al states,
“strength and conditioning practice may influence injury rates in the sport of tennis.”2
Tennis players encounter multiple environmental issues. Tang writes, “environmental
factors of the physical environment comprise typically temperature, pollutions, altitude and
wind, all of which exert effect on athletic performance to a certain extent.”3
Preseason Needs/Concerns/Differences
Preseason activities establish the foundation for performance throughout the season. As
an example, preseason workouts might be 5 to 6 days weekly including weight training,
cardiovascular exercise, and practices. Whereas during the season, training sessions might be
reduced to 2 to 3 days. Also, the focus is sustaining strength for peak performance.
The possibility of injury is a concern within both phases. A study determined “the most
frequent injuries observed were ankle sprains (144 injures), followed by paraspinal muscle
strains (126 injuries). Strength and conditioning practices explained 9.9% of the variance of
injury rates in the upper body and 11.1% of the variance of injury in the lower body.”2
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Choose a Sport
Energy Requirements and Predominant Metabolic Pathway
Individual athletic needs determine energy requirements. Nonetheless, there are sport
specific recommendations. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recommends “2,500
calories a day for most players, although some players may require in excess of 3,000 calories.
Pro players are predicted to need between 3,500 to 5,000 calories a day.”4
Based on the intensity and pace, tennis players fluctuate between aerobic and anaerobic
movements. The aerobic aspect involves oxygen carried through the bloodstream to muscles
which fuels the athlete throughout the event. The anaerobic aspect involves carbohydrates that
were converted to glucose and stored in the muscles. In turn, providing the player with energy
during brief periods of intensity.
Dehydration Risk/Hydration Guidelines
During a tennis match, it is possible to lose a significant amount of fluid within an hour.5
On the day of the event, the United States Tennis Association recommends “12 to 16 ounces of
water to begin the hydration process and another 12 to 16 ounces of water, electrolyte drink, or
juice between 60-90 minutes before going on court. Ten minutes prior to the match, consume
another eight ounces of water or sports drink.”5
Specific Nutrient Demands and Deficiencies of Concern
Tennis players should consume a healthy diet with a good balance of macronutrients and
micronutrients. As previously mentioned, carbohydrates are the ideal source of energy for tennis
players. Due to the rapid loss of fluid, these athletes can experience sodium and calcium
deficiencies.
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Choose a Sport
Recovery Needs/Concerns
Nutrient consumption after a match is just as important as eating prior to the match. The
ITF says, “it is critical that players understand which carbohydrates they should consume and
when. Choosing higher glycemic index foods can provide quicker recovery.”4 An adequate
amount of rest is also important after a match. From earlier assignments, research showed the
positive psychological effects of proper rest.
Other Challenging Dietary Issues Particular to This Sport
As stated above, mineral deficiency is a dietary issue for this sport. For example, one way
the body excretes sodium is through sweat. As a result, tennis players are susceptible to
“hyponatremia - lower than normal sodium levels in the blood.”6
4
1.National Collegiate Athletic Association. Game programs. Accessed September 24, 2023.
https://www.ncaa.com.
2.Vasenina E, Hammert WB, Kataoka R, et al. Injuries and strength training practice in collegiate
tennis. Sports (Basel). 29 September 2022;10(10):149. doi: 10.3390/sports10100149. PMID:
36287762. Accessed September 24, 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9611280/.
3.Tang D. A review of the association between environmental factors and athletic performance. Sport
Science. July 4, 2021;1(1), 21-30. Accessed September 24, 2023.
https://researchgate.net/publication/352983641.
4.International Tennis Federation. Eating right. November 2019. Accessed September 24, 2023.
https://www.itftennis.com/media/2146.
5. United States Tennis Association Sport Science Committee. Beat the heat: cooling and hydration tips
for tennis players. August 15, 2022. Accessed September 24, 2023. https://usta.com.
6. Cleveland Clinic. Electrolyte imbalance. Reviewed August 13, 2022. Accessed September 24, 2023.
https://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24019-electrolyte-imbalance.
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