The NCAA Sport Science Institute is a leader in providing health and safety resources to college athletes, coaches, athletics administrators and campus partners. Together with leading medical organizations, behavioral health centers and content matter experts, the SSI provides educational resources for member schools to promote and support the health and well-being of student-athletes.
Located on this page are links to materials and resources related to the disordered eating, heat and hydration, and nutrition of college athletes.
Nutrition
Athletic performance and recovery for college athletes is enhanced by attention to nutrient intake. Developing an ideal nutrition plan for health and performance includes identifying the right quantity, quality and proper timing of food and fluids needed to support regular training and peak performance. As training demands shift during the year, student-athletes also need to adjust their intake and distribution of essential nutrients while maintaining a properly balanced diet that supports their academic, training and competition needs.
Below are links to resources related to the nutrition of college athletes that have been developed in partnership with the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association and Sports and Human Performance Nutrition.
Heat and Hydration
Adequate hydration before, during and after physical activity is critical to the safe and healthy participation of student-athletes in college sports. Intense exercise, hot and humid weather and dehydration can compromise an athlete’s performance and increase the risk of exertional heat injury.
Located below are links to materials and resources for heat and hydration-related issues of college athletes.Â
Sleep and Wellness
The NCAA Sport Science Institute is a leader in providing health and safety resources to college athletes, coaches, athletics administrators and campus partners. Together with leading medical organizations, behavioral health centers and content matter experts, the SSI provides educational resources for member schools to promote and support the health and well-being of student-athletes.
More than 40 members of an Interassociation Task Force on Sleep and Wellness met in 2017 to review research and develop recommendations to support student-athlete sleep health. Attendees included NCAA representatives, scientists, educators and sports medicine professionals. Presentations covered the science of sleep and its links to mental health, performance and recovery. Coaches and student-athletes shared real-world challenges and strategies.
Below are materials and resources related to sleep and wellness of college athletes.
