Sporternährung: Der vollständige Leitfaden für Athleten und Aktive

Kohlenhydrate sind der wichtigste Treibstoff für intensive Belastungen. Protein ist entscheidend für Muskelaufbau und -regeneration. Fett ist wichtig für Ausdauerleistungen und Hormonproduktion.

2-3 Stunden vor dem Training: komplexe Kohlenhydrate + Protein (z.B. Haferflocken mit Joghurt). 30-60 Minuten vorher: schnelle Kohlenhydrate wenn nötig (z.B. Banane). Ausreichend trinken.

Das 'anabole Fenster' der ersten 2 Stunden nach dem Training: Protein + Kohlenhydrate zur Muskelregeneration und Glykogenauffüllung. Ziel: 20-40g Protein + Kohlenhydrate im 2:1-Verhältnis.

Kreatin (für Kraft und Schnelligkeit), Koffein (für Ausdauer), Beta-Alanin (für Pufferung von Milchsäure) und Protein-Supplements (bei unzureichender Aufnahme aus Lebensmitteln) haben solide Evidenz. Viele andere Supplements sind überflüssig.

For athletes focused on building muscle or maintaining muscle during fat loss phases, protein quality, quantity and distribution across the day all matter. The current evidence supports consuming approximately 1.6–2.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for muscle development, with some benefit seen up to 2.4 g/kg for those in caloric restriction. Beyond this range, evidence for further muscle-building benefit is weak.

Equally important to daily total is distribution. Consuming protein in three to four doses of 20–40 g spread across the day (rather than the same total eaten predominantly at one meal) keeps muscle protein synthesis elevated more consistently over 24 hours. Pre-sleep protein — 30–40 g of casein or Greek yoghurt before bed — has good evidence for enhancing overnight muscle protein synthesis and improving morning recovery, particularly for those training in the evening. Complete protein sources containing all nine essential amino acids are more effective than incomplete sources (many plant proteins are low in one or more essential amino acids), which is why vegetarian and vegan athletes need to combine protein sources or rely on complete plant proteins such as soy, quinoa or hemp.

Carbohydrate loading — systematically increasing glycogen stores above normal levels by consuming a very high carbohydrate diet (8–12 g/kg body weight/day) for 1–3 days before endurance competition — is a well-validated strategy for events lasting more than 90 minutes. It has been shown to improve endurance performance by 2–3% in trained athletes by delaying glycogen depletion. It is not relevant for shorter events, strength training or recreational exercise.

Regarding supplements, the evidence base is much thinner than the industry suggests. Creatine monohydrate is the most consistently evidence-supported ergogenic supplement for strength and power sports, increasing maximal strength and high-intensity exercise performance through enhanced phosphocreatine availability. Caffeine (3–6 mg/kg body weight 30–60 minutes before exercise) improves endurance, strength and cognitive performance during exercise with a strong evidence base. Beta-alanine can buffer muscle acidity during high-intensity efforts lasting 1–4 minutes, with modest but consistent performance benefits. Sodium bicarbonate has similar acid-buffering effects. Everything else on the sports supplement market — branched-chain amino acids, glutamine, HMB, testosterone boosters, fat burners — has either weak, inconsistent or frankly fabricated evidence behind claimed performance benefits.