One of the facets vital in the optimum performance of elite athletes is nutrition, so Olympics.com spoke to British gymnasts Jake Jarman, Alice Kinsella and Jessica Gadirova about what is key for them personally when it comes to fuelling their body.
Tailoring nutrition is key, says Jake Jarman
Elite gymnasts train around six days a week, six or seven hours a day, so tailor-made nutritional programmes are key for each athlete, based on energy required, recovery and injury prevention.
“Hydration, getting that protein after a workout that is really good for the most important thing, which is for muscle recovery – and carbohydrates for slow-release energy”.
Different scenarios call for different requirements, he says, citing the day that Olympics.com spoke to him, the final event for him, the vault apparatus final in which he won silver, completing four days of competition across six days.
“A day like today, where I’m having to train, having to compete, it’s high intensity stuff and it’s hours long so those carbs are really important.”
Jess Gadirova and Alice Kinsella on nutrition goals
Individual preferences are key, agrees British gymnast, Alice Kinsella, telling Olympics.com she might be a bit “stricter” on herself three or four weeks ahead of a competition. “But other than that, I don’t really have a strict diet, I’m not that kind of person to have a strict diet, I just do what’s best for me.”
Kinsella agrees that getting the fuel right for the body is key. “For me, I just have a balanced diet,” said the then 18-year-old in Türkiye. “Literally, I just make sure I have enough carbs, enough protein and enough vegetables and fruit just to keep my body fuelled enough to do everything that I’m doing.”
Gadirova said: “I don’t go crazy on the carbohydrates. I just make sure I balance it out throughout the day so that I’m not feeling too uncomfortable. So just a good amount to get my energy going.”
Gadirova then provides a timely reminder that conversation around nutrition, especially in gymnastics, has changed, and for the better.