SETBACK IN OLYMPIC WRESTLING: THE ROLE OF NUTRITION

Syllabus:

GS 2:

  • Government Policies and implementation.
  • Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Why in the News?

The disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a minor weight issue highlights the critical importance of precision nutrition in sports. This incident underscores the need for tailored dietary planning and continuous monitoring to ensure athletes meet competition requirements without compromising their health.

SETBACK IN OLYMPIC WRESTLING: THE ROLE OF NUTRITION - UPSCSource: American College

Overview and Context:

  • Disqualification Incident: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to being 100 grams over the weight limit highlighted the importance of support staff, including sports nutritionists and team management.
  • Need for Precision Nutrition: This incident underscores the necessity of integrating precision nutrition into sports, which tailors dietary recommendations to an athlete’s specific needs, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Understanding Precision Nutrition: Precision nutrition involves analyzing an athlete’s metabolism, microbiome, and physiological responses to food, using systems biology and multi-omics to create individualized dietary plans.
  • Wearable Technology: The use of wearable sensors and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help athletes monitor their glucose levels and other physical parameters, enabling real-time adjustments to their diet and training.
  • Impact on Performance: Continuous tracking and personalized nutrition can prevent last-minute, harmful weight-cutting practices, which negatively affect athletes’ mental and physical health, as seen in Vinesh Phogat’s case.

The Science of Precision Nutrition in Sports

  • Data-Driven Approach: Precision nutrition uses systems biology, multi-omics, and machine learning to provide evidence-based, individualized dietary recommendations, ensuring athletes are in peak condition.
  • Gut Microbiome: A plant-based diet and regular exercise can influence gut microflora, supporting athletic performance and post-exercise recovery through the production of short-chain fatty acids.
  • Challenges in Data Collection: Traditional methods of collecting dietary data, like questionnaires, have limitations. Continuous monitoring through wearable technology offers more accurate and individualized insights.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices track blood glucose levels, helping athletes optimize muscle building, energy levels, and weight maintenance.
  • Global Examples: Athletes like Chelsea Hodges and Eliud Kipchoge have used CGMs to enhance their training and performance, demonstrating the potential of this technology in sports.

The Middle-Income Trap in Sports Nutrition

  • Weight-Based Sports Challenges: Athletes in sports like wrestling often resort to extreme measures to “make weight,” which can jeopardize their health and performance, as seen in the case of Vinesh Phogat.
  • Extreme Weight-Cutting Practices: Starvation, dehydration, and other drastic measures are common but harmful practices used by athletes to meet weight requirements, often resulting in poor performance.
  • Role of Sports Nutritionists: Coaches and peers heavily influence athletes’ dietary decisions, but precision-trained sports nutritionists are essential for developing safe and effective nutritional strategies.
  • Integration into Training: Sports nutritionists should be involved with athletes long-term, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustments based on the athlete’s changing needs and competition schedules.
  • Preventing Extreme Measures: By adopting precision nutrition, athletes can avoid dangerous weight-cutting practices, promoting healthier and more sustainable approaches to meeting weight requirements.

Implementing a Precision Nutrition Strategy

  • Tailored Nutrition Plans: Precision nutrition involves creating individualized dietary plans based on an athlete’s metabolism, body composition, and competition needs, ensuring optimal performance.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing tracking and adjustments to an athlete’s diet are crucial, particularly in weight-based sports where even minor deviations can impact competition outcomes.
  • Understanding Sport Regulations: Nutritionists must be well-versed in the specific rules, weight categories, and weigh-in procedures of the sports they support to provide effective guidance.
  • Collaboration with Athletes: A collaborative approach between nutritionists, coaches, and athletes ensures that dietary strategies are aligned with training goals and competition demands.
  • Long-Term Engagement: Nutritionists should be integrated into athletes’ support systems for extended periods, allowing for the development of personalized strategies that evolve with the athlete’s needs.
Government Initiatives to tackle Nutrition deficiency in India

1.   Mid-Day Meal Scheme:
Implemented in schools, this program provides hot cooked meals to children to improve their nutritional intake, increase school enrollment, and reduce dropout rates by ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition during school hours.

2.   Mission Poshan 2.0:

Launched in 2021, this mission aims to strengthen the government’s efforts toward eradicating malnutrition. It merges supplementary nutrition programs with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and aims to reduce stunting, wasting, and anemia among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women through a holistic approach.

3.   Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme:

A flagship program providing food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years and their mothers. It includes immunization, health check-ups, and nutrition services, focusing on children’s growth and cognitive development.

4.   Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):

This maternity benefit scheme provides a cash incentive of ₹5,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first child to ensure proper rest, nutrition, and health.

5.   Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG):

This scheme focuses on improving the nutritional and health status of adolescent girls (11-14 years) by providing them with supplementary nutrition, life skills education, and health education to reduce anemia and malnutrition.

6.  Poshan Vatikas:

Under this initiative, nutrition gardens are established at anganwadi centers and community spaces to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs. These gardens are intended to provide fresh and nutritious food to children and pregnant and lactating mothers, contributing to dietary diversity and improved nutrition.

The Need for Precision Nutrition in Indian Sports

  • Addressing Gaps: Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification highlights a critical gap in the Indian sports support system, emphasizing the need for precision nutrition to prevent such setbacks.
  • Optimizing Performance: Integrating data-driven nutrition strategies with technology and expert guidance can revolutionize sports training in India, ensuring athletes reach their full potential.
  • Promoting Health: By prioritizing precision nutrition, athletes can maintain their health and well-being while optimizing their performance in high-stakes competitions.
  • Revolutionizing Training: The adoption of precision nutrition in Indian sports can lead to healthier, more sustainable practices, ultimately enhancing the country’s competitive edge on the global stage.
  • Prioritizing Athlete Well-Being: Ensuring that athletes are supported by a robust nutritional strategy is key to their success and well-being, preventing future Olympic setbacks.

Way Forward:

  • Integrate Precision Nutrition: Establish precision nutrition protocols tailored to individual athletes’ needs, focusing on data-driven dietary recommendations.
  • Enhance Support Staff: Strengthen the role of sports nutritionists, ensuring they are involved in long-term athlete development and competition preparation.
  • Adopt Wearable Technology: Utilize wearable devices like continuous glucose monitors for real-time tracking of athletes’ physical and metabolic responses.
  • Educate on Healthy Practices: Implement educational programs for athletes and coaches on safe and effective weight management techniques.
  • Collaborate with Experts: Foster collaboration between nutritionists, doctors, and coaches to create holistic support systems for athletes.
  • Policy and Regulation Review: Review and update policies to integrate precision nutrition into national sports frameworks.
  • Focus on Athlete Well-being: Prioritize the health and well-being of athletes, ensuring they avoid harmful practices while optimizing performance.

Conclusion

The incident emphasizes the necessity of integrating precision nutrition into India’s sports training framework. By leveraging data-driven approaches and expert guidance, India can prevent such setbacks, /optimize athlete performance, and promote healthier practices, ensuring that sportspersons achieve their full potential while safeguarding their well-being.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the importance of precision nutrition in sports, particularly in weight-based competitions. How can integrating data-driven dietary planning into athlete training programs help prevent issues like disqualification and improve overall performance?

Associated:

https://universalinstitutions.com/the-hunger-challenge/