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Show ce net LIE SEREDLEETLE ICLIP ; yor > cm ag * see The Science of Sports You Are What You Eat Everyone knowsit takes energy to play sports. But do you knowwherethat energy comes from? It comes from food, of course. Food is the fuel that t first glance, you might think that sports hasvery little to do with science. But if you take a closer look, you'll see that sports and scince really have everything to do with each other. q Consider, for example, how scientific studies and experimentshave led ~ provides energy for all of a body’s functions. That's why good eating habits are so important, not only for an athlete who must have adequate energy to dohis best but also for others who just want to live healthy, active lives. to improvements in training methods, in the types of clothing and , '\ equipmentathletes use, and in the technology that has revolutionized The key to good nutrition for athletes is the same as it is for anyone: eating a varied diet that includes the many aspects of the sports world. Consider, too, how the study of nutrients necessary for people to stay healthy. Long forces and energy help people understand how to run faster, jump ago, nutritionists — specialists in the study of food and higher, and improve their overall performance. how the body uses it — came up with a food pyramid lm@ Indeed, without the broad field of knowledge thatscience provides us, that groups foods according to the nutrients they proit’s safe to say that sports as we knowit would not even exist today. vide. This system divides the foodsinto five groups: Science has led to a world of sports that is more competitive, more accurate, and safer than ever before. Carrying Your Weight — and Height Vegetables (3-5 servings recommended) A Obviously, it takes all shapes and sizes to compete in the variety of sports available today. But whyis it that a body’s shape and size makea differA ence in an athlete’s performance? (2-4 servings recommended) The answers lie within somebasic scientific principles. For instance, a i weightlifter needs extra body weight because it lowers his center of gravi- a ty and keeps him from falling over when helifts heavy weights above his 3 yi head. On.the other hand, a less weighty marathon runner depends on a %» smaller body frame to present less wind resistance and, thus, less drag, ‘oguit, = (254 which causes the runner to slow down andtire faster. (2-3 servings recommended) ah in small groups, find pictures of five different athletes in today’s sports section. iB , Evaluate their body sizes and decide whethertheir bodies areright for their cho- <2) iC, (6-11 servings recommended) 03 servings recommended) a Fish, sen sports. Conduct some research to find out why or why not. Which scientific : vise? Principles are involved? Have a spokesperson share yourfindings with the class. (Some nutritionists also include a sixth group — fats, oils, and siecets. Only sparseuse is recommended.) “ex Become morefamiliar with the five food groups-by WEIGHTLIFTER UCDO lS zal (er a/ finding examples of each in your newspaper’s at grocery ads. Now,plan a meal from your newsyet ae paper, using at least one serving from each food group. List the foods below, including costs. How muchwill your meal cost? ce wy Manyathletes eat a lot of carbohydrates (sugars eS s/ es and starches) before a big competition because ar f they are the main source of energy. Find as many “ase” examples of these nutrients as possible in your newspaper's grocery ads. Do somepreliminary research, if necessary, to identify some not-so-recognizable sources of carbohydrates. ; THE EXCITING WORLD 9 OF SPORTS Standard-Examiner, Tuesday, May 6, 1997 |