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European Journal of Sport Science

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Current controversies in sports nutrition

James P. Morton & Graeme L. Close
Published online: 19 Jan 2015.

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To cite this article: James P. Morton & Graeme L. Close (2015) Current controversies in sports nutrition, European Journal of
Sport Science, 15:1, 1-2, DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2014.977355
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.977355

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European Journal of Sport Science, 2015

Vol. 15, No. 1, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.977355

EDITORIAL

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Current controversies in sports nutrition

Of all of the sub-disciplines of sports and exercise
science, it is sports nutrition that has perhaps
undergone the most significant developments in the
last decade. Whereas the discipline has largely
adopted a competition and performance-based
approach to research and practice (traditionally
based on carbohydrate), sports physiologists and
nutritionists now readily appreciate the role that
nutrition can play in promoting training adaptation,
especially that of how manipulation of macronutrient
and micronutrient availability (carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin D, etc.) can (or may) modulate
nutrient-gene interactions. As mid-career researchers and also as applied practitioners, we have also
been fortunate to accumulate a decade of experience
in both the laboratory and many applied arenas of
elite sport including team (football, rugby), endurance (cycling, middle-distance running), winter (skiing), weight restricted (combat sports, rowing and
horse racing) and individual sports (golf). However,
despite the diverse physiological and nutritional
demands of the aforementioned sporting activities,
we never fail to be amazed that such athletes nearly
always present with the same questions, many of
which are difficult to currently provide a definitive
answer. For example: Is it true I do not need high
carbohydrates anymore? Are high protein diets really
advantageous for weight loss? Alternatively, is not a
high fat diet the best approach? How do I fuel for
both aerobic and weight training simultaneously?
What should I eat when I am injured? Should I take
vitamin D supplements? It is these questions (and
related themes) that we presently consider as some
of the most prevalent Current controversies in
sports nutrition.
In this special issue of European Journal of Sport
Science, we are delighted to have recruited a blend of
established and early career researchers to offer a
critical evaluation of the current literature but, yet,
also provide their own interpretation and practical
recommendations. In the first of the papers related to
the macronutrients, Bartlett, Hawley, and Morton
(2015) review the effects of deliberately training in
CHO-restricted conditions in order to enhance endurance training adaptations (the so-called train-low
model). Although these authors still advocate high
CHO availability for specific training sessions as well as
all competitive situations, Volek, Noakes, and Phinney
2015 European College of Sport Science

(2015) subsequently argue that keto-adaptation (as

achieved by high fat, low CHO diets) is a strategic
approach to maximise both training adaptation but
also prolonged endurance performance. With a specific emphasis on weight loss, Murphy, Hector, and
Phillips (2015) outline the important role of increased
dietary protein in maintaining (or possibly even
increasing) lean mass during times of energy restriction, thus having obvious implications for a large
variety of sports. Whereas the first three papers deal
with actual nutrient ingestion, Burke and Maughan
(2015) outline the latest thinking on mouth rinsing a
range of ingredients to enhance exercise performance,
whilst also suggesting many fruitful areas for future
research. In moving to specific aspects of applied
practice, Perez-Schindler, Hamilton, Moore, Baar,
and Philp (2015) review the potential molecular
mechanisms underpinning muscle adaptation to both
aerobic and resistance training and subsequently outline practical considerations in terms of manipulation
of both macronutrient composition and timing in an
attempt to maximise adaptations to concurrent training. In contrast to nutrition for training situations,
Wall, Morton, and van Loon (2015) discuss the
negative adaptations incurred by muscle disuse and
inactivity (as associated with injury) and also suggest
both nutritional and contraction-related strategies as
potential countermeasures. Finally, the last two papers
focus on topical aspects of sports supplementation,
specifically that of probiotics (Pyne, West, Cox, &
Cripps, 2015) and vitamin D (Owens, Fraser, & Close,
2015). Both articles provide a theoretical overview of
target tissues and also outline practical considerations
related to dosing strategy. Whilst such supplements
may not directly modulate exercise performance, they
are potentially beneficial for maintaining athlete health
and well-being during intensive training and competition periods.
In reviewing these papers in their entirety, we hope
that you are left with the interpretation that there is
likely never a definitive right or wrong answer.
Ultimately, we are left with the task of interpreting
the available scientific literature to formulate strategies that best suit the individual according to their
competition or specific training and rehabilitation
goal. This, we believe, is the true art of sports
nutrition.
As we write this editorial, it is somewhat poignant
that the sports science community has been

Editorial

saddened by the loss of Prof. Bengt Saltin. Bengt, of

course, was undoubtedly one of the pioneers of our
discipline and much of the foundation of current
sports nutrition practice is built from his early
research several decades ago. In the many of his
scientific presentations, Bengt would often suggest
there is much more to be learned, often appearing as
envious of the experimental techniques we now have
at our disposal in order to make the connections
from gene to function. We have no doubt that Bengt
would agree that our discipline remains as exciting
as ever.
James P. Morton and Graeme L. Close

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References
Bartlett, J. D., Hawley, J. A., & Morton, J. P. (2015). Carbohydrate availability and exercise training adaptation: Too much of a
good thing? European Journal of Sport Science, 15(1), 312.
doi:10.1080/17461391.2014.920926
Burke, L., & Maughan, R. (2015). The governor has a sweet tooth
Mouth sensing of nutrients to enhance sports performance.

European Journal of Sport Science, 15(1), 2940. doi:10.1080/174

61391.2014.971880
Murphy, C. H., Hector, A. J., & Phillips, S. M. (2015).
Considerations for protein intake in managing weight loss in
athletes. European Journal of Sport Science, 15(1), 2128.
doi:10.1080/17461391.2014.936325
Owens, D. J., Fraser, W. D., & Close, G. L. (2015). Vitamin D
and the athlete: Emerging insights. European Journal of Sport
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