In a sports world where dieting, making and maintaining weight and overall health has become so paramount, registered dietitians have become more important than ever. The Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA), composed of and founded by Sports RDs in 2009, have published their initial position statement targeting a change in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules for feeding athletes. The feeding regulations were last updated in 1991, the year when most of the 2013 NFL draft class was born.
Since the position statement was released, and the NY Times and Reuters chimed in on the topic, the NCAA have made feeding deregulation a 2013/14 “Phase II” issue vs. 2012/2013 “Phase I” deregulation issue.
While college athletes are sometimes scrutinized for being pampered, the CPSDA believes that one place that these athletes aren’t being properly cared for is nutrition.
The current, two-decade-old rule allows schools to serve only one meal per day to student-athletes who are in season. Originally outlined as an action to enhance “competitive equity,” the NCAA called the feeding regulation a free, added benefit for recipients of athletic scholarships and related financial aid.
However, considering progressive advances in science and knowledge over the past 20 years, it only makes sense to reform the outdated athlete-feeding restriction. In an interview with NewsWise, Becci Twombley, USC’s Sports RD remarked, “As science evolves, Sports RDs need the freedom to put nutrition research into practice to benefit athletes.”
The difference between now (2012) and then (1991) is substantial. With the proposed reform, registered dietitians are simply trying to perform their duty the right way, creating healthier lifestyles for college athletes. Indiana University’s Amy Freel said it best by declaring, “We’re in the trenches every day with athletes and can help them achieve their goal of becoming bigger, faster and stronger. But it must be done safely, through proper nutrition that is designed to place as much emphasis on recovery after activity as on game-day performance. That distinction is what sets sports nutrition apart.”
Proper sports nutrition will advance the overall health and potential of student-athletes in college and individuals
moving forward as professional athletes. The competitive edge, known by highly regarded Sports RD Dave Ellis (photo), one of the five original CPSDA board members, as the “nutrition advantage,” is already utilized by some major college teams and Special Forces within the U.S. Military.
On October 25, the CPSDA’s initial statement read: “Athletes must have easy and open access to planned meals and recovery snacks throughout the day to replace nutrients, fluids, electrolytes and energy utilized during activity in order to replenish energy, facilitate recovery, repair muscle damage, mediate inflammation and stimulate immune function.” The statement continues to detail the necessity of educational institutions increasing investment in their student athletes.
Put simply, increased meals and better nutrition will increase the costs of accommodating student-athletes, but will vary based on institution. However, if an institution invests in their student-athletes by providing scholarships and financial aid, why would they hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity to spend just a fraction more to properly care for those within their athletic program?
The reform of the NCAA’s feeding regulation will ultimately benefit student-athletes during their time wearing an institution’s colors on the playing field. Perhaps more importantly, an updated regulation will empower athletes with knowledge and build nutritional habits for the rest of their lives.
In January 2014, the NCAA will hold a critical vote to either accept or deny the feeding regulation request by the CPSDA. Visit http://www.sportsrd.org/ for more information regarding the proposed deregulation of the NCAA’s student-athlete feeding rules.
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Athletes burn far more calories today than ever before, however can’t they feed themselves? Does this mean a cafeteria will be set aside just for athletes?