The article published by Potgieter (2013) in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition presents the background, process, and outcomes of research on the international guidelines for sports nutrition and exercise. Using a review method, the researcher investigated the most critical issues of nutrients’ intake by athletes before, during, and after training to maintain health, well-being, and endurance in physical activity. The review incorporated data from the most credible sources of nutrition guidelines, including the American College of Sports Nutrition, the International Olympic Committee, and the International Society for Sports Nutrition (Potgieter, 2013). The author collected, synthesized, and critically analyzed the directions formulated by these organizations to guide professional athletes in their exercise and nutrition routine. The ultimate research findings indicate that although neither separate guideline document incorporates all the necessary information needed for athletes during competitions and training, the combination of all of them provides a consistent framework. The balance of macronutrients, proteins, carbohydrates, and energy in a diet specifically designed for sports is a vital determinant of healthy and productive athletes’ professional life.
The summarized academic research article presents a review of the scientific evidence using an implied AIMRAD structure. The abstract and introduction sections are identifiable; however, no explicitly and separately given sections for methods, results, and discussion are included. Since this is a review that necessitates the synthesis and analysis of evidence, the author dedicates the central part of the article to the findings’ discussion. The conclusion is presented at the end of the article summarizing the main findings of the research. Overall, since the article does not strictly follow the AIMRAD structure, one cannot argue for its effectiveness. It is somewhat complicated for a reader to identify each of the elements of the conventional academic article structure. Nonetheless, since all of them are implied, and the findings are presented in detail, the researcher succeeds in delivering the results and implications of his research.
Reference
Potgieter, S. (2013). Sport nutrition: A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition from the American College of Sport Nutrition, the International Olympic Committee and the International Society for Sports Nutrition. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(1), 6 – 16.