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Basketball and Nutrition For an athlete to perform to his or her best ability, the body must be optimally fueled. Not only is nutrition important on the playing field, but also it promotes muscle growth, enhances recovery, prevents injury, and supports rehabilitation. The science of nutrition is constantly expanding, as are consumer confusion and misinformation. Confounding the issue further is the increasing availability and variety of so-called sports supplements aimed at helping an athlete become faster, stronger, and leaner. Any health professional involved in the care of athletes needs to understand the basics of sports nutrition from macronutrient and micronutrient requirements to weight management and supplements. Sports nutrition is a part of the athlete's training, and those who fuel optimally improve performance and health. (Bonci 462) There are many goals for sports nutrition. They want to achieve and maintain ideal body mass, maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance, and provide adequate carbohydrates to optimize respiratory metabolism. An athlete wants to preserve lean body mass with essential amino acids and maximize oxygen delivery systems and oxidative phosphorylation with trace elements. They also sh