Sports Med 2004; 34 (5): 317-327

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 1. Macronutrient Composition for Optimal Muscle Mass Accretion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 1.1 Protein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 1.2 Carbohydrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 1.3 Fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 2. Efficacy of a Positive Energy Balance on Resistance Exercise-Induced Gains in Muscle Mass . . . . 320 3. Timing of Amino Acid/Protein Intake Following Resistance Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 4. Optimal Post-Exercise Nutrition to Maximise the Rate of Muscle Glycogen Repletion . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 5. Optimal Macronutrient Composition for Fat Loss and Muscle Mass Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 6. Recommendations for Preand Post-Training Session Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 7. Factors Influencing Fat-Free Mass Loss During Energy Restriction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 8. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Participants in the sport of bodybuilding are judged by appearance rather than Abstract performance. In this respect, increased muscle size and definition are critical elements of success. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the literature and provide recommendations regarding macronutrient intake during both ‘off-season’ and ‘pre-contest’ phases. Body builders attempt to increase muscle mass during the off-season (no competitive events), which may be the great majority of the year. During the off-season, it is advantageous for the bodybuilder to be in positive energy balance so that extra energy is available for muscle anabolism. Additionally, during the off-season, adequate protein must be available to provide amino acids for protein synthesis. For 6–12 weeks prior to competition, body builders attempt to retain muscle mass and reduce body fat to very low levels. During the pre-contest phase, the bodybuilder should be in negative energy balance so that body fat can be oxidised. Furthermore, during the pre-contest phase, protein intake must be adequate to maintain muscle mass. There is evidence that a relatively high protein intake (~30% of energy intake) will reduce lean mass loss relative to a lower protein intake (~15% of energy intake)