smc-5468-05-Vitamins/minerals

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 292

Justify why athletes should consult with an accredited sports dietitian before taking multivitamin supplements rather than self-prescribing these products. (6 marks)

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Position Statement

Athletes should consult with accredited sports dietitians before taking multivitamin supplements due to the need for individualised assessment and risk management of potential side effects.

Professional Assessment Benefits

Sports dietitians can evaluate whether athletes consume balanced diets with adequate micronutrient intake from whole food sources.
Evidence demonstrates that athletes eating varied diets containing essential vitamins and minerals typically do not require additional multivitamin supplementation.
Professional consultation determines specific deficiencies through dietary analysis and identifies athletes at risk including those on energy-restricted diets or with food intolerances.
Research shows that unnecessary supplementation provides no performance benefits when dietary intake already meets requirements.

Risk Management Importance

Accredited dietitians understand appropriate dosages and can prevent overconsumption that causes side effects including constipation, diarrhoea and nausea.
Professional guidance ensures supplements meet individual training demands and dietary preferences while avoiding potential health complications.
Evidence indicates that excessive micronutrient intake can interfere with absorption of other essential nutrients.

Reinforcement

While multivitamins appear beneficial, professional assessment prevents unnecessary supplementation and associated health risks.
Therefore consulting sports dietitians ensures safe, appropriate and effective use of multivitamin supplements for individual athlete needs.

Show Worked Solution

Position Statement

Athletes should consult with accredited sports dietitians before taking multivitamin supplements due to the need for individualised assessment and risk management of potential side effects.

Professional Assessment Benefits

Sports dietitians can evaluate whether athletes consume balanced diets with adequate micronutrient intake from whole food sources.
Evidence demonstrates that athletes eating varied diets containing essential vitamins and minerals typically do not require additional multivitamin supplementation.
Professional consultation determines specific deficiencies through dietary analysis and identifies athletes at risk including those on energy-restricted diets or with food intolerances.
Research shows that unnecessary supplementation provides no performance benefits when dietary intake already meets requirements.

Risk Management Importance

Accredited dietitians understand appropriate dosages and can prevent overconsumption that causes side effects including constipation, diarrhoea and nausea.
Professional guidance ensures supplements meet individual training demands and dietary preferences while avoiding potential health complications.
Evidence indicates that excessive micronutrient intake can interfere with absorption of other essential nutrients.

Reinforcement

While multivitamins appear beneficial, professional assessment prevents unnecessary supplementation and associated health risks.
Therefore consulting sports dietitians ensures safe, appropriate and effective use of multivitamin supplements for individual athlete needs.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 291

Explain why iron supplementation may be particularly beneficial for female athletes and how it supports their athletic performance. (4 marks)

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Iron deficiency affects female athletes more commonly due to losses during menstruation reducing iron levels.
This deficiency leads to inadequate haemoglobin production in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.
Iron supplementation enables enhanced haemoglobin formation, improving oxygen delivery to working muscles during exercise.
Better oxygen transport results in reduced fatigue and enhanced endurance performance capacity.
Female athletes benefit because supplementation addresses their higher iron requirements and prevents performance decline.
Therefore iron supplements support optimal athletic performance by maintaining adequate oxygen delivery systems.

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Iron deficiency affects female athletes more commonly due to losses during menstruation reducing iron levels.
This deficiency leads to inadequate haemoglobin production in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.
Iron supplementation enables enhanced haemoglobin formation, improving oxygen delivery to working muscles during exercise.
Better oxygen transport results in reduced fatigue and enhanced endurance performance capacity.
Female athletes benefit because supplementation addresses their higher iron requirements and prevents performance decline.
Therefore iron supplements support optimal athletic performance by maintaining adequate oxygen delivery systems.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 290 MC

Which micronutrient is particularly important for endurance athletes because it assists in producing red blood cells to transport oxygen to working muscles?

Vitamin B12
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin D

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\(A\)

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A is correct: Vitamin B12 assists in producing red blood cells to transport oxygen to working muscles, making it especially important for endurance athletes.

Other options:

B is incorrect: Calcium plays a role in muscle contraction and nerve impulses, not red blood cell production.
C is incorrect: Iron makes haemoglobin within red blood cells but doesn’t produce the actual blood cells.
D is incorrect: Vitamin D supports bone health and immune function, not red blood cell production.

HMS, TIP 2015 HSC 8 MC

Why is an adequate intake of vitamins important in an athlete's diet?

They are energy rich nutrients.
They act as catalysts to assist energy metabolism.
They increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
They restore bone density when used with load bearing exercise.

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\(B\)

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B is correct: Vitamins act as catalysts to assist energy metabolism.

Other Options:

A is incorrect: Vitamins provide no energy themselves.
C is incorrect: Iron increases oxygen carrying capacity not vitamins generally.
D is incorrect: Calcium and vitamin D help bones but not vitamins alone.

♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, TIP 2017 HSC 24

Using examples, explain how specific vitamins and/or minerals affect athletic performance. (5 marks)

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Iron deficiency directly causes reduced oxygen transport capacity in athletes. This occurs because iron forms the core of haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. When iron levels are low, this leads to decreased oxygen delivery to working muscles. For instance, when a distance runner develops iron deficiency anaemia, they experience premature fatigue. This happens because their muscles receive insufficient oxygen for aerobic energy production.
Calcium directly influences bone density and muscle contraction in athletic performance. This mineral works by strengthening bone structure and enabling proper muscle function. Low calcium levels trigger increased risk of stress fractures. A clear example is female gymnasts who consume inadequate calcium often develop bone injuries during training.
Vitamin D generates improved calcium absorption and muscle function in athletes. This vitamin functions through enhancing calcium uptake in the intestines. Deficiency consequently results in muscle weakness and increased injury risk. This can be seen when indoor athletes with limited sun exposure show reduced power output.

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Iron deficiency directly causes reduced oxygen transport capacity in athletes. This occurs because iron forms the core of haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. When iron levels are low, this leads to decreased oxygen delivery to working muscles. For instance, when a distance runner develops iron deficiency anaemia, they experience premature fatigue. This happens because their muscles receive insufficient oxygen for aerobic energy production.
Calcium directly influences bone density and muscle contraction in athletic performance. This mineral works by strengthening bone structure and enabling proper muscle function. Low calcium levels trigger increased risk of stress fractures. A clear example is female gymnasts who consume inadequate calcium often develop bone injuries during training.
Vitamin D generates improved calcium absorption and muscle function in athletes. This vitamin functions through enhancing calcium uptake in the intestines. Deficiency consequently results in muscle weakness and increased injury risk. This can be seen when indoor athletes with limited sun exposure show reduced power output.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 40%.

HMS, TIP 2023 HSC 24

Discuss the effects of TWO supplements used by athletes to alter their performance. (5 marks)

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*PEEL – Structure solution using separate PEEL methods for each side of the argument; [P] Identify the point, [E] expand on the point with a link to question asked, [Ev] apply evidence/examples, [L] linking sentence back to question.

Any TWO of the following

Caffeine

[P] Caffeine enhances performance through central nervous system stimulation.
[E] This stimulant blocks adenosine receptors, creating improved alertness and concentration.
[Ev] Tennis players benefit from enhanced mental focus and reduced effort perception. [
L] However, excessive caffeine can cause anxiety and impaired fine motor control, harming precision sports like archery.

Creatine

[P] Creatine improves explosive power through enhanced energy system capacity.
[E] This supplement increases phosphocreatine stores in muscles.
[Ev] Sprinters benefit from increased strength output and faster recovery between efforts.
[L] Conversely, creatine may cause water retention and gastrointestinal discomfort if hydration is inadequate.

Protein

[P] Protein supplements provide amino acids for muscle repair and growth.
[E] These supplements support recovery by delivering essential building blocks.
[Ev] Strength athletes benefit from enhanced recovery when protein is timed around training.
[L] However, excessive protein offers no additional benefits while potentially stressing kidney function.

Vitamin/Mineral Supplements

[P] Vitamin/mineral supplements address deficiencies limiting performance.
[E] These micronutrients support essential physiological processes.
[Ev] Iron supplements benefit endurance athletes with low ferritin by improving oxygen transport.
[L] However, excessive fat-soluble vitamins can reach toxic levels, harming health and performance.

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Any TWO of the following

Caffeine

[P] Caffeine enhances performance through central nervous system stimulation.
[E] This stimulant blocks adenosine receptors, creating improved alertness and concentration.
[Ev] Tennis players benefit from enhanced mental focus and reduced effort perception. [
L] However, excessive caffeine can cause anxiety and impaired fine motor control, harming precision sports like archery.

Creatine

[P] Creatine improves explosive power through enhanced energy system capacity.
[E] This supplement increases phosphocreatine stores in muscles.
[Ev] Sprinters benefit from increased strength output and faster recovery between efforts.
[L] Conversely, creatine may cause water retention and gastrointestinal discomfort if hydration is inadequate.

Protein

[P] Protein supplements provide amino acids for muscle repair and growth.
[E] These supplements support recovery by delivering essential building blocks.
[Ev] Strength athletes benefit from enhanced recovery when protein is timed around training.
[L] However, excessive protein offers no additional benefits while potentially stressing kidney function.

Vitamin/Mineral Supplements

[P] Vitamin/mineral supplements address deficiencies limiting performance.
[E] These micronutrients support essential physiological processes.
[Ev] Iron supplements benefit endurance athletes with low ferritin by improving oxygen transport.
[L] However, excessive fat-soluble vitamins can reach toxic levels, harming health and performance.

HMS, TIP 2024 HSC 17 MC

What are the main benefits of Vitamin B supplements for athletes?

Promote a healthy immune system and support muscular contractions
Maximise energy production and stimulate the formation of red blood cells
Increase muscle protein synthesis and facilitate adequate calcium absorption
Assist iron absorption within red blood cells and support a strong immune system

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\(B\)

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B is correct: B vitamins (particularly B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12) are primarily involved in energy metabolism and red blood cell formation.

Other Options:

A is incorrect: This better describes vitamin C and minerals like calcium.
C is incorrect: This better describes vitamin D.
D is incorrect: This better describes vitamin C.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 17%.