Introduction: Ayurveda gives similar importance to both Ahara (diet) and Aushadha  (medicine). Ayurvedic dietetics specified the qualities of food according to person’s need. It includes various food preparations and drinks. Selection of food according to the personal need is also the focus point of modern dietetics. Now a day’s many sub branches of dietetics have been developed like clinical dietetics, community dietetics, neonatal dietetics, gerontological dietetics etc. One of such emerging branches is sports dietetics which deals with specific food according to the need of sports persons.

Aim and objectives: This study was planned with the aim, to apply the Ayurvedic principles of Ahara in sports diet science. Objectives of the study were to explore principles of Ahara described in Ayurveda classics in context of sports science and to explain and understand contemporary dietetics especially sport dietetics. Other objectives of the study were, to plan the diet for athletes considering their physiological requirements and to evaluate effect of Sattu Mantha for recovery of muscles in healthy athletes.

Material and methods: For conceptual study principles related to Ahara described in classical texts of Ayurveda and principles of sports dietetics were compiled and analyzed how principles of Ahara can be applied in sports dietetics. Material related to Saktu mentioned in Samhita and Nighantu was compiled and analyzed. Yava Saktu was prepared as mentioned in classical texts of Ayurveda i.e. Yava (barley) seeds were roasted in heated sand with continuous stirring, then roasted seeds were milled and sieved through mess no. 72. Then Pharmaceutical evaluation of Saktu and sensory evaluation of Saktu-Mantha for two types of samples i.e. one prepared by mixing with jaggery and other with Sugar powder, were carried out and Saktu-Mantha prepared with sugar powder was selected for the interventional study. Total 50 healthy and active athletes were enrolled in the study. Detailed history of the athletes was taken on specially prepared research proforma. Then vitals of the athletes were recorded and blood samples were taken. After that physical tests were performed and then again blood sample and vitals of the athletes were taken immediate after exercise, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes after exercise. Then athletes were advised to consume Yava Saktu in the form of Mantha, two times in a day for 15 days. After 15 days, again before and after physical tests, blood samples and vitals of the athletes were recorded.

Results: After completion of interventional study, on comparing before and after intervention results of physical tests i.e. horizontal jump, rope jumping, push-ups, sit-ups abdominal, 800 meter run and repeated sprint ability test it was observed that there is statistically highly significant improvement after intervention. In case of vitals i.e. Blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, after intervention vitals come to normal state rapidly as compare to before intervention. In case of hematological parameters before intervention and after intervention results are statistically highly significant for neutrophils and monocytes and significant for Hb%, total R.B.C., lymphocytes and P.C.V. and insignificant for rest of the hematological parameters. In case of biochemical parameters before intervention and after intervention results are statistically significant for CPK-MM and insignificant for rest of the parameters. Overall effect of intervention on recovery of athletes: 96% athletes are moderately recovered and 4% athletes recovered slightly after intervention as compared to before intervention.

Discussion: Classical texts of Ayurveda explain in detail about principles for selecting Ahara as per individual’s body constitution, Agni, season, habitat and also diseased condition. Ayurveda give more important to digestion and absorption of Ahara while modern dietetics concentrate more on nutritional values and calories present in food. As per principles mentioned in classical texts of Ayurveda we can select food according to need of the athletes, which provide them proper nutrition, also digest easily and will help in maintaining healthy state of the body which also helps in improving their sports performance. In applied study, as per shown in the results horizontal jump length, timing of rope jumping, number of push-ups, number of sit-ups (abdominal) and repeated sprint ability test (RSA) were improved after intervention and timing of 800m run and score of the perceived exertion scale were decreased, it shows that Sattu-Mantha provides strength to the body so due to that performance of athletes also improved. Vitals measurement also shows that blood pressure, respiration rate and pulse rate of athletes normalizes rapidly after intervention as compared to before intervention, it shows Sadya Balakara and Sadya Shramahara properties of Sattu-Mantha.

Conclusion: By applying principles of dietetics mentioned in Ayurveda i.e slection of food according to Prakriti, Ritu, Agni, Desha, Kala, Samskara and Samyoga we can enrich more to sports dietetics. This ultimately helps in improving performance of sports persons. Yava Saktu in the form of Mantha is helpful in enhancing performance of athletes and also helpful in fast recovery of athletes from fatigue.