Kacie Vavrek, MS, RDN, LDN, CSSD
Conditioning, improving technique and strength training are all important aspects of becoming and remaining a successful athlete.
Nutrition, however, can sometimes be an overlooked piece to achieving maximum results. At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, our sports medicine experts understand the important role nutrition plays for athletes, and they possess the expertise necessary to guide and counsel you to the best possible athletic outcomes.
Specially trained dietitians are embedded within our Sports Medicine team at the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute, making them easily accessible to any athlete, whether you’re training for your first 5K race or striving to reach the top levels of your sport. Proper nutrition is paramount for all athletes, and we want to help you reach your true potential.
What is the Ohio State Sports Nutrition program?
An athlete’s diet provides fuel for the body and must supply adequate energy, protein, essential nutrients and hydration to sustain all intensities of training regimens and promote swift and healthy recovery.
Knowing the essential nutrition you need and eating the appropriate foods to get it can seem daunting, especially for already busy athletes, amateur or otherwise. Our experienced sports dietitians work with athletes of all levels to develop nutrition plans tailored to their sport, season and goals.
We use a comprehensive approach that educates athletes on the importance of food quality, meal timing, and proper hydration to effectively fuel training, aid recovery and enhance performance. Our team offers guidance for individuals recovering from an injury or seeking body composition changes to enhance their performance and improve their overall health.
Services offered through the Sports Nutrition program
Every athlete has unique metabolic needs and goals. We provide comprehensive testing, counseling and nutrition programming to help maximize performance.
Nutrition counseling
These one-on-one consultations help athletes evaluate their diets. It's designed to help you prepare and recover from training and activity by teaching you how and when to hydrate and fuel the body.
Additionally, if you have very specific nutrition concerns, such as weight management, injury rehabilitation and prevention, disordered eating, amenorrhea (absent menstruation) or osteoporosis, this counseling is a great fit. All participants leave with a personalized nutrition plan.
Bone density and body composition testing
An iDXA scan measures bone mass, lean tissue mass and fat mass, including visceral adipose tissue for cardiovascular risk, providing an invaluable assessment of your body composition.
Note: An iDXA scan requires a physician prescription.
Resting metabolic rate testing
Our KORR Indirect Calorimeter can estimate your resting calorie burn, which is a baseline to determine your calorie needs for your goals. The test is performed early in the day, under fasting and no-stimulants conditions, for the most accurate results.
Hydration testing and plan for activity
The MX3 hydration testing system can measure how well you are hydrating, which is an essential factor in sports and in overall health and wellness.
We’ll work with you to develop a plan to increase your hydration, especially during intense activity or hot, humid weather, and use it to maximize your performance and recovery.
Disordered eating care
Athletes can be at risk for disordered eating for a number of reasons, including the pressure to fit into a certain body type for a given sport and the activity levels they might need to maintain.
Our sports dietitians have specialty training in treating eating disorders, especially in athletes, and they collaborate effectively with the Sports Psychology providers and other Sports Medicine team members to offer comprehensive care for disorder eating.
Group speaking engagements
Our experts participate in community fitness events and group presentations on various wellness and nutrition topics, which can be tailored to your specific performance needs.
Other sports nutrition services
The sports nutrition specialists provide a wide range of other services, including:
- Enhanced recovery fueling plan for durability in sports
- Correcting energy balance to meet weight goals
- Supplement review and needs, depending on goals
- Nutritional support for recovering from injury
- Guidance on special medical dietary restrictions as related to performance
- Changing nutritional needs when transitioning from competitive sports
When do you really need to add hydration tablets or other electrolytes to your exercise?
Sarah Wick, RD, LD, CSSD, a registered dietitian and a board-certified sport specialist in dietetics, discusses how to get the most out of your hydration.
Who could benefit from working with a sports dietitian?
Anyone who is physically active can benefit from working with a sports dietitian at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. People who could benefit the most from the Sports Nutrition program include:
- Elite athletes
- Endurance athletes
- Teen athletes competing at high levels
- Those just starting their fitness journey
- Those wanting to improve their fitness levels, for example, amateur runners wanting to complete a marathon or improve marathon times
- Athletes with disordered eating
- Injured athletes going through recovery
Benefits of being treated in the Sports Nutrition program at Ohio State
Without balanced nutrition, athletes risk diminished performance, increased injury rates and prolonged recovery periods. Working with a sports dietician can improve all these aspects of being an athlete.
Other highlights of Ohio State’s Sports Nutrition program include:
- A breadth of expertise – Our sports dietitians are board-certified in sports nutrition. Ohio State’s commitment to maintaining specialists’ certifications is testimony to our high standards of care and innovation in this rapidly expanding base of scientific evidence in sports nutrition.
- Wide-ranging impact – As providers for more than 5,000 central Ohio athletes, including over 20 years’ experience working with The Ohio State University’s student athletes covering 36 sports, we have an in-depth understanding of the nutritional needs of all athletes.
- Niche specialty areas – Our providers specialize in areas not always covered by general dietitians, including eating disorders, hydration plans and working with tactical athletes. No matter your sports nutrition needs, we’re here to help.
How to make an appointment with a sports nutritionist
The best way to schedule an appointment with us is to fill out this appointment request form. Or you can call the main Sports Medicine number at 614-293-3600 and ask specifically for the Sports Nutrition program.
Your Ohio State physical therapist, orthopedist or primary care physician can also refer you directly to Sports Nutrition.
Nutrition is key to sports performance
Good nutrition is an important aspect to athletic training. There's no substitute or supplement for a balanced diet, as Kacie Vavrek, MS, RN, LD, explains.
