RATIONALE FOR A SPECIFIC DIET FROM THE PE RSPECTIVE OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND SPORT ORTHOPEDICS AND ITS RELATION TO STRESS REACTIONS AND REGENERATION

The relation between nutrition and sport has been studied extensively during recent decades. Nevertheless, research interest was focused mai nly on the role of dietary macro- and micronutrients as ergogenic aids . Today, there is increasing support for the hypothesis that the nutri ent status also has relevance for the prevention and rehabilitation of systemic and muscular stress induced by intense physical exercise. Th e increase in muscular stress is indicated by the rise in creatine kin ase and myoglobin; the systemic stress is associated with characterist ic immunological and hormonal changes and an acute-phase response. Dur ing and following exercise, the course of cytokines (especially interl eukin 6) and acute-phase proteins (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen) as well as cortisol levels are an indirect measure of the exercise intens ity and the individual ability to cope with physical stress. It has be en shown that the dietary intake and, consequently, the systemic or in tracellular concentrations of minerals such as magnesium and zinc, vit amins with antioxidant capacity (vitamin E, C, E, and beta carotin), a nd the composition of fatty acids can be related to the exercise-induc ed stress response. Therefore, this review deals specifically with the impact of these nutritional components on the reduction of sports-spe cific muscular damage and systemic stress, especially under the aspect of increased losses during and following intense physical exercise.