Sport Nutrition: An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance
Asker Jeukendrup and Michael Gleeson’s 2010 second edition of Sport Nutrition: An Introduction to Energy Production and Performance examines nutrition through exercise physiology and biochemistry. Its 16 chapters address energy production, exercise fuels, hydration, recovery and athlete health. The textbook connects carbohydrate, fat, protein and micronutrient requirements with exercise intensity, training adaptation and individual nutritional needs.
What the study did and found
The 2010 second edition is an educational textbook, not a single experimental study. Jeukendrup and Gleeson describe digestion, absorption, energy metabolism, muscle fuel use, fluid balance and recovery. The edition also addresses body composition, weight management, protein and amino acids, overtraining and immune function.
Carbohydrate and fat provide major exercise fuels, with their relative contributions influenced by intensity, duration, training status and nutrient availability. Protein supplies amino acids for tissue turnover and adaptation. Hydration and micronutrients are considered alongside these macronutrients rather than as separate performance solutions. No single diet suits every athlete. Nutritional needs vary with workload, energy availability, recovery demands and individual tolerance.
Why it is cited
The textbook links nutritional decisions to the mechanisms of exercise physiology. This framework explains why endurance activity, high-intensity exercise and recovery periods can require different fueling strategies.
Its integrated treatment of energy, macronutrients, hydration and supplements documents the scientific foundations of sport nutrition education around 2010. It also distinguishes fundamental nutritional requirements from claims based solely on proposed biological mechanisms.
The book remains relevant to foundational concepts in exercise metabolism, digestion and nutrient function. However, research and professional guidance have evolved since 2010, particularly for specific intake targets and supplement decisions. The textbook does not establish universal carbohydrate, protein or fluid prescriptions. Recommendations depend on training load, sport, environment, goals and individual tolerance; current decisions require more recent evidence. |
The topic today
Contemporary sport nutrition still relates food and fluid intake to exercise intensity, duration, training load and recovery. Energy availability, carbohydrate use, protein for tissue remodeling, hydration and micronutrient adequacy remain interconnected considerations.
The 2010 textbook provides historical and physiological context. More recent research and consensus guidance are needed when translating these principles into precise recommendations for individual athletes.