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Adequate intake of high quality proteins and amino acids is essential for the body in order to build up structures such as muscle, tendons, ligaments and bone. Protein intake also regulates and affects various metabolic processes, including hormonal regulation. Accordingly, proteins and amino acids are, to varying extents, able to stimulate or inhibit anabolic signal transduction pathways and the synthesis and secretion of various hormones such as insulin, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).This means that tailoring protein intake to an athletes specific type of sport and exercise intensity can be helpful in supporting the training process and improving performance. The aims of adjusting intake in this way may include maintaining or building muscle mass or muscle strength, preventing a catabolic state, and improving recovery following exercise.Even though the importance of protein intake in the field of sport is increasingly well-known, there is still much controversy regarding intake levels, types of protein sources, optimal amino acid composition, and ideal timing of intake. The lay press and commercial websites in particular often provide biased or incorrect recommendations without scientific evidence.This position paper summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the physiological effects of protein intake in sports, paying particular attention to the aspects of intake level and the dose-response relationship. Key Words: Metabolic Processes, Amino Acids, Muscle, Dose-Response Relationship, Performance, Regeneration

This position paper deals with safety aspects of the use of dietary supplements (DS) in sports. DS are legally classified as foodstuffs and may contain vitamins, minerals and other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. In the case of other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, it is currently not specifically regulated, with a few exceptions, which individual substances may be added, provided the products are still classified as foods. DS are offered in a wide variety and can be purchased worldwide via the internet. In Germany, they are only subject to a notification requirement before being launched on the market; they are not subject to safety assessment by state authorities. The manufacturers/distributors of the DS are responsible for their safety and for ensuring that consumers are not misled by the product presentation and promotion.For athletes, a balanced diet that is adapted to their needs is a basic requirement and one of the preconditions for good athletic performance. DS are no replacement for a balanced diet.In sports, the use of DS or products that contain micronutrients and other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect should not be conducted uncritically. Possible risks, such as an unintentional violation of anti-doping regulations or potential health risks, should be considered. Key Words: Doping Risk, Wada Prohibited List, Health Risks, Vitamins, Minerals, Caffeine

Athletes expend greater amounts of energy as a result of their training. However, these amounts vary during the competition year and are influenced by such factors as the training period and intensity.Measuring energy expenditure is a complex process that is often achieved through indirect calorimetry. A calculation is possible when certain limitations are taken into consideration.Energy expenditure corresponds to energy requirements. Energy requirements should be covered by energy intake adapted to individual needs. Low energy intake can lead to reduced energy availability. Low energy availability not only has a negative impact on the bone metabolism and menstrual cycle there may also be consequences of a hematological, metabolic, psychological, gastrointestinal and immunological nature. This has adverse effects on the performance capacity, training adjustment, concentration and coordination, and can lead to an increased risk of injury.Matching energy intake to energy expenditure is an important cornerstone in the diet of athletes and a significant prerequisite for maintaining their health and performance. KEY WORDS: Athletes, Calorimetry, Energy Availability, Resting Energy Expenditure, Metabolic Equivalent

An adequate intake of minerals and vitamins is essential for health and performance of athletes. Depending on the type of sport and the intensity and scope of physical performance, as well as individual factors (such as dietary behavior, perspiration rate and composition of perspiration), athletes may be at increased risk of suboptimal micronutrient supply.This position paper will provide an overview of the potential causes of deficient micronutrient supply in athletes, such as increased requirements as a result of enhanced energy metabolism, higher losses associated with physical activity, and special diets associated with sport in general or particular types of sport. This position statement will also present the proven effects of insufficient micronutrient supply on the health and performance of athletes, and the effects on their supply situation.In summary, it can be concluded that with a balanced diet that covers energy requirements, the D-A-CH reference values for micronutrients can usually be attained without any problems. However, in certain situations (such as strenuous endurance exercise or weight reduction, or in the case of lopsided eating habits or hypocaloric diets), iron, calcium, sodium and vitamin D may be critical nutrients for athletes.A diet that is adapted to the individual and covers all requirements is achievable even in the case of high metabolic demands, and such a diet can reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Key Words: Micronutrients, Requirements of Athletes, Health, Exercise Performance

This position paper represents the current scientific recommendations for fluid management in sports. Sporting activities should always be commenced with a balanced fluid level (apparent by urine color, which is light yellow in the case of balanced fluid level).The loss of fluids during exercise depends on numerous factors such as the state of exercise, the intensity, duration, type of exercise and environmental factors. The weighing method to determine individual fluid loss offers guidance for the optimal fluid intake during exercise. In principle however, athletes should trust their own feeling of thirst.Generally in the case of activities lasting less than 30-40 minutes, fluid intake is not necessary, minor fluid deficits during exercise are tolerable. In the case of longer-lasting activity (>1.5 hours) it is advisable to take in beverages rich in carbohydrates and sodium. Therefore, the optimal sports drink should contain 400-1100 mg / l sodium in addition to carbohydrates (4-8%). After sport, fluids and electrolytes must be replaced. If there is no renewed physical activity in the next 24 hours and the body weight is reduced by less than 5%, consumption of normal meals and snacks in combination with an adequate supply of water is sufficient to restore fluid and electrolyte balance.For quick and complete rehydration, approximately 1.5 l of fluid per kg weight loss is recommended. KEY WORDS: Sports Drink, Fluid Intake, Fluid Balance, Electrolyte Balance

This position statement represents the current state of scientific knowledge regarding the recommended fat intake in ambitious recreational and high level sports. It also addresses dietary strategies (fat-loading methods) and food supplements that are designed to influence fat metabolism during physical exercise.No recommendation has so far been established for sports-specific fat intake in absolute numbers (g/kg body weight [BW]/d), in line with international practices regarding carbohydrate and protein. However, there is consensus among scientific sports medicine associations that fat consumption should not exceed 30% of the energy intake (E%), nor fall below 20 E%, particularly in endurance sports.Before competitions, some athletes practice fat-loading strategies which include a ketogenic diet. This procedure is not advisable, as there is no scientific evidence of improvement in either endurance (>70% VO2max) or sprint/strength performance. Moreover, the extensive restriction of carbohydrate intake is not in accordance with the internationally-accepted nutritional guidelines for athletes, and the food choice is unbalanced according to the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE).The current use of dietary supplements which are supposed to improve the availability/oxidation of fatty acids, e.g. caffeine, carnitine, fish oil, middle chain triglycerides (MCT), is also generally discouraged. Key Words: Dietary Supplements, Ketogenic Diet, Carnitine, Fish Oil, Middle Chain Triglycerides (MCT)

The D-A-CH reference value (D-A-CH arises from the initial letters of the common country identification for the countries Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH)) for folate equivalents had been set at 400 µg/d for adults in the year 2000. By that time, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through reduction of homocysteine was considered an important target of the reference value. Since that time a number of research papers revealed that in spite of an inverse association between folate-rich diet and chronic diseases, a preventive effect of folic acid intake on cardiovascular events was not supported by randomized controlled trials, and the reduction of plasma homocysteine levels to around 10-12 µmol/l did not reduce the risk for thromboembolic and cardiovascular diseases in persons already affected by these diseases. These results together with the observation that folate intakes below 400 µg/d result in a sufficient folate status justified a review of the current literature and-- consequently--a reduction of the reference value to 300 µg/d for adults. This reference value is expressed as dietary folate equivalents that take into account the difference in bioavailability between folic acid and all types of folates in food. The recommendation to take a daily supplement of 400 µg of synthetic folic acid for women who intend to get pregnant and until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy is maintained. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) 68, 719-723; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2014.45; published online 2 April 2014, Recommendations for the intake of folate equivalents show a certain variance over time and over regions. In 2000, the D-A-CH societies recommended a daily intake of 400 µg/d for adults. [...]

A study of the effects of age, smoking and alcohol consumption on vitamin C, beta carotene and vitamin E requirements in 2006 people revealed a decrease in vitamin C levels in elderly men, while smokers and drinkers exhibited reduced carotene levels, which also declined with age. Vitamin E requirements did not vary with age thus revealing the need for vitamin C and beta carotene supplements in the elderly.