Principles of building body shape
Reduction of fat is of significant importance in sports where it is desirable to maximise the efficiency and speed in moving the body (running, gymnastics, cycling, etc.). Low body fat content enables the achievement of biomechanical advantage over the opponent and improvement of exercise capacity, as well as contributes to a more aesthetic appearance in such disciplines as bodybuilding and fitness, where the amount of body fat is one of the main criteria for evaluating the competitor.
Reduction in the adipose tissue content should be gradual, with properly designed exercise as well as nutrition and supplementation programmes. Incorrect methods of reducing body fat can adversely affect the health of a competitor, and contribute to the decline in lean body mass and to impaired athletic performance.
In view of the above, proper nutrition and supplementation strategy should focus on:
- gradually reducing the calorie content of the diet
- maintaining an adequate level of dietary protein intake
- improving the burning of fatty compounds
- slowing down the processes of muscle catabolism
- reduction in antioxidant processes
- overall improvement in metabolic and energy conversions in the body
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