The following case study outlines the strategy an AIS sports dietitian used to assist a volleyball team survive an international trip.  The team travelled to India for 3 weeks.  It was the first overseas trip for many of the athletes.

Strategy 1: Assess Travel Itinerary and Competition Schedule
The team schedule, accommodation, dining options and goals were discussed with coaching staff.
• Players were to train or compete daily.
• 3 meals per day were to be provided by hotel restaurants.
Coaching staff and senior players who had competed in India previously were consulted regarding anticipated food availability, quality, safety and potential problems.

Strategy 2: Identify Potential Nutrition Issues
• Possible avoidance of local food due to unfamiliarity and dislike of spicy food.
• Dehydration (high temperatures and humidity).
• Limited recovery time between sessions.
• Availability of recovery foods and fluids.
• Side effects of plane travel (first training session scheduled for the day of arrival).
• High risk of gastrointestinal disturbances.

Strategy 3: Education Prior to Travel
Activities were planned prior to travel to help avoid potential problems and to ensure appropriate nutritional strategies were followed.
• An Indian cooking night was organised for team members to increase awareness of Indian foods.
• The team was educated on hydration strategies and hygiene issues.  Bottled water was known to be readily available in India.
• The team was educated on issues regarding plane travel.  Each athlete was provided with a small pack containing snacks, water and sports drink for use on the flight.
• The team was supplied with a range of portable foods to supplement the player's eating plans and cater for recovery needs. Useful utensils were also provided.  Team provisions included:

o cereal bars
o cereal
o powdered milk
o instant noodles
o Vegemite
o small tins of baked beans and spaghetti
o powdered liquid meal supplement
o powdered sports drink
o powdered oral rehydration solution
o electric kettle
o power adaptor plug
o can opener

The Outcome
Players and coaches commented that the preparation and education prior to travelling was of great benefit.  This was the first trip to India where no one became sick.  This was attributed to the education players received prior to departure and the provision of safe snack choices.  The athletes had confidence that they could adhere to good nutritional strategies while in a foreign environment.  This helped the team perform to their full potential.

Written by AIS Sports Nutrition, last updated December 2009. © Australian Sports Commission.