Table of Contents Track and Field Events Warming up Training Training Tips Cells and Bones Joints and Muscles Movement and Muscle Fibers Energy Production in the Body The Cardio-respiratory System Nutrition and Calories Nutrients, Proteins and Carbohydrates Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, Water and Fiber Record Breakers Did you know? (Cool Track Facts) Track and Field Links Bibliography Chimacum Middle School ThinkQuest Jr. Please give us Feedback about our site. Contact us! Meet the Team Featured site: The International Amateur Athletics Federation

Around the Track and Back Nutrition: Nutrition means all the food a person eats and drinks. The whole human body comes from this food and all energy comes from food. Food is like our fuel, it provides us with energy and chemicals for movement, growth and to stay healthy. The energy the body gets from food is measured in calories. Different foods provide different amounts of energy so they have different amounts of calories. The amount of calories a person needs depends on their size, how active they are, and how efficiently their body uses food. The rate at which a person converts food to energy is called the metabolic rate. We all have different metabolic rates, but for all of us the metabolic rate increases when we exercise. Calories So to stay healthy, a person needs to eat and drink the number of calories that their body needs energy for. Athletes need extra energy to train and compete. A typical adolescent may require up to 2500 calories a day. That same adolescent will require up to 3000 calories a day if she or he is training. A person who does not eat enough will lose weight as the body uses up stored energy. This will reduce performance. A person who takes in too many calories will gain weight as the body stores the extra calories as fatty tissue. Fatty tissue reduces performance too.