People who have made use of physical therapy services in the past. Current physical therapy patients. Athletes who may well have a need for a physical therapist in the future. All these people need to understand how nutrition affects physical performance.
Your body is depending on you to supply it with the necessary raw materials to conduct its countless everyday functions. The more you demand from it, the more careful you must be about your nutritional strategies. Read on to learn more about this vital connection between physical performance and nutrition. Then, reach out to a physical therapist for assistance in achieving your goals.
The nature of nutrition and physical performance
The right mix of nutrition is important for high physical performance. Your car won’t run properly without gas. Even so, it also won’t run properly, or at all, if you feed it nothing other than gas. Cars require fuel, oils, additives, electricity and other provisions for smooth operation. Similarly, your body needs a mix of several different types of nutrients to operate efficiently.
These nutrients are grouped into two primary categories — macronutrients and micronutrients. Here’s a quick breakdown of these two categories:
- Macronutrients — Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber and water. The first three of these are directly involved in providing the body with energy. The body uses carbs first, since they burn most readily, making them an important fuel for both short-burst activities and endurance training.
Proteins, which are made up of 20 essential amino acids, are the building blocks of muscle. This includes that all-important muscle: the heart. Fats are stored as a reserve fuel supply. But they’re also involved in everything from brain health and inflammation management to hormone production and joint lubrication.
- Micronutrients — When physical therapists mention micronutrients, they’re talking about vitamins and minerals. Some minerals regulate each other’s actions (such as sodium paired with potassium, or calcium and magnesium). The body also requires trace elements such as copper, selenium, and chromium.
Athletes flock to B-complex vitamins because of their ability to increase energy availability. But you also need a mix of vitamins A, C, E, K and others to keep your body functioning.
Making nutrition part of your physical therapy strategy to boost performance
The wrong nutritional balances can sabotage your physical function and performance in all kinds of ways. For instance, if you’re neglecting your carbs before an endurance event, your body may start burning fat as fuel. However, it may also burn protein, which can deprive you of muscle power.
If you’re getting loads of calcium but no vitamin D, that calcium won’t be made available to your bones and other tissues. If you gulp gallons of water without replenishing sodium, you could end up with a dangerous condition called hyponatremia. This is one reason why your physical therapist makes a point of addressing nutritional practices as part of your training or physical therapy program.
Nutrition can also enhance healing, comfort and function. Some of the nutrients that can enhance these areas include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids — This type of fat is known to reduce inflammation, which can promote faster healing and better muscle performance.
- Vitamin C — This nutrient also has anti-inflammatory effects.
- Amino acids — Specific amino acids can help your body in its efforts to synthesize proteins.
- Carbohydrates — Eating the right carbs at the right time can boost your athletic performance by giving you the energy you need when you need it.
Peak Performance can help you find effective nutrition for increased physical performance
Looking for physical therapists who can recommend the best nutrition to increase your physical performance? Our Peak Performance therapy specialists can help. We offer free screenings that can evaluate your current physical performance. Our team can then build you a personalized therapy plan that includes nutritional components and is designed to boost your athletic performance.
We even offer therapy methods you can use at home, such as at-home therapy and virtual care. You can also use any of our therapy services without first getting a doctor’s referral.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule your initial appointment.
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