Document Type

Article

Abstract

The current research is focused on how nutrition influences both fitness and health. It is important to understand the difference between the two terms. Fitness relates to a person’s ability to perform specific tasks whereas health is a condition of being free of disease or illness. Pertaining to fitness, this study primarily focuses on cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and body composition. (The other components of physical fitness are muscular endurance and flexibility). This research will attempt to answer some highly researched questions. How important is the timing of pre-exercise and post-exercise meals? What foods are beneficial for those seeking to improve cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and body composition? How does diet alone influence body composition, fat mass, and fat-free mass? The primary mode used to answer these questions will be investigation into relevant literature. Much research has already been conducted on these topics. The leading studies find an acute positive correlation to carbohydrate ingestion and improved cardiovascular endurance. Other studies have found that protein ingestion aids in the recovery of muscular strength exercises. Lastly, a reduction of carbohydrates, while not engaging in exercise, has been shown to improve body composition.

Publication Date

12-1-2015

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