New developments in sports nutrition: introduction and historical overview

Abstract

The science of sports nutrition is quickly growing to maturity. The last two decades have seen the publication of the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and many sound textbooks such as those edited by Ron Maughan or Ira Wolinsky, or that written by McArdle, Katch & Katch. Many younger scientists like Louise Burke, Stella Volpe and Asker Jeukendrup (to name only a few) are actively involved in sports nutrition research. Private companies like Mars, Isostar, and Gatorade with its Gatorade Sports Science Institute have been fostering sports nutrition research. In the scientific study of sports and exercise nutrition, some topics are recurring and clearly controversial. Four such topics are addressed in this symposium.