ONS PERFORMANCE™ NUTRITION SYSTEM PARADIGM

The ONS Performance Paradigm embodies the conceptual framework of ONS Performance Nutritional System. The level of training the athlete is able to achieve and maintain is largely determined by how well they fuse the methodology of the paradigm model into their daily training regimen. To better understand the philosophy and the underlying principles of the paradigm, we have listed and explained each methodology and how they work in partnership with each another. Uniquely and functionally designed, ONS Performance Nutritional System creates a positive learning environment that empowers the athlete to enthusiastically adopt practical nutritional principles associated with the ONS Performance Paradigm. Additionally, the system exclusively facilitates accountability and responsibility for the athlete through a series of system monitors that enhance the success rate of participants in the program. Coaches, athletic trainers and specialist in nutrition will be amazed at the results they are able to achieve using the ONS Performance Nutrition System with their athletes.

Training
Looking at the Performance Paradigm diagram we can clearly see the three parts. At the base is training. It’s at the bottom because it is your foundation and is what makes you an athlete. Without this base you are no longer an athlete. If you lack in either of the other two components you will lose performance, but your body will still carry characteristics rendered from your sport while ATTEMPTING to rebuild itself into being stronger at what you do. There are several elements that an athlete trains: strength, endurance, speed and skill. Sport training will be proportionally different from one verses the other (i.e., football verses cross country). The trick is achieving the correct level and balance of training for your sport or exercise. Both, too little and too much, can be detrimental to your over all performance. Largely the other two portions of the paradigm determine the level of training you are able to maintain.

Rest & Recovery
The second area of the paradigm is rest and recovery. This includes sleeping and napping which translates into passive recovery and active recovery. This is a very fundamental part of training and probably the one most overlooked by athletes. When you consider how busy the athlete’s life can get, it’s all too easy to train and/or study that extra hour and take an hour away from sleep. Understand this is not something you should make a habit of. Sleep and rest are very important---it is when your body repairs itself. When trying to grasp the importance of sleep you should conceptualize it like this: training determines the potential for growth, rest and recovery determines the actual growth. All your performance gains are made during rest. As a daily goal you should try and get a minimum of 8-10 hrs of sleep a night. If you can take a 30-45 minute nap during the day between training sessions, do so. Also, try to keep your sleeping rhythmic. Get to bed and wake up around the same time everyday. Just because you don’t have practice or training the next day isn’t a reason to stay up all night. Get to sleep so you can recover properly.

Food, Nutrition & Diet
The third section of the Performance Paradigm includes food, nutrition and diet. Rest gives you the time to repair, but food gives you the building blocks to rebuild what has been broken down. Understand when you train, you don't get stronger you get weaker. The reason is when you train you are depleting energy systems and breaking down muscle tissue through repetitive muscle contraction (i.e., running, jumping, sprinting). Not until after you train and you begin refueling the body with the proper nutrients that optimal performance and recovery can be facilitated through the body. This is referred to as "training adaptation," which allows for the greatest probable degree of strength, endurance, speed and skill development (training elements) resulting in a greater training effect and enhanced performance when paired with proper rest. Are you getting the picture now? Additionally, food is obviously important but the nutritional balance of the food is key to the other two parts of the paradigm. This involves not only eating the correct amount of calories daily but, and determining how many calories should come from carbohydrates, proteins & fats. A nutritional component of the ONS Performance Nutritional System estimates that an athlete will eat three times as much carbohydrate than fat and two times as much protein as fat (don’t worry the system figures it our for you). Knowing the given amounts of these nutrients ensures the athlete is getting the proper nutrients, at the right ratios for optimal training adaptation and recovery. The diet-nutrition part of the pyramid also includes when and how often you should eat. Correctly portioned and timed meals provide more nutrients to the body more often and enhance the body’s ability to absorb, digest and utilize these nutrients. This enhanced and frequent delivery of nutrients will result in greater recovery and tissue repair between training sessions (sleep & rest) while decreasing the likelihood of fat storage. However, limit yourself to eating the traditional 3 square meals a day and it’s impossible to get the nutrients you need to be your best.