Pediatr. praxi. 2025;26(1):37-41 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2025.008

The importance of recovery and nutrition for the healthy development of a young athlete

doc. MUDr. Dalibor Pastucha, Ph.D., MBA^{1, 2}, MUDr. Marie Skalská³, Ing. Hana Střítecká, Ph.D.⁴

¹ Klinika rehabilitace tělovýchovného lékařství, FN Ostrava a Lékařská fakulta Ostravské univerzity v Ostravě

² ReFit Clinic, s. r. o., Olomouc

³ Centrum sportovní medicíny, Pro Fit Institut, s. r. o., Praha

⁴ Ústav preventivního lékařství Lékařské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy v Hradci Králové, CASRI - Vědecké a servisní pracoviště tělesné výchovy a sportu

For the optimal development of a young athlete, adequate recovery, balanced nutrition, and, in some cases, appropriate dietary supplements are essential. Early sports specialization, where young individuals focus on a single sport from a young age, increases the risk of overuse, chronic injuries, and mental burnout, potentially jeopardizing long-term athletic development and overall attitude towards sports. Recovery processes after physical exertion facilitate muscle fiber repair and support overall physical fitness. Nutrition must include an optimal ratio of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), which are crucial for growth and athletic performance. Insufficient energy intake can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which negatively affects growth, the immune system, metabolic functions, and other bodily systems.

Keywords: sports, recovery, nutrition, dietary supplements, RED-S.

Accepted: March 6, 2025; Published: March 19, 2025  Show citation