Proper Nutrition During Training and Competitions
NICOLA CIANCIOTTA
Professional Volleyball Player
Nicola Cianciotta, a young volleyball player with two youth championships under his belt and twice named the world's best middle blocker, explains the importance of proper nutrition, both during training and competitions. I was just a child when I played volleyball with my older sister, Angelica, born in 1997. We'd play together as soon as she finished her practice or match. I couldn't wait for her to return: I still remember the anxious wait... And so the years passed and my passion grew. I began to seriously approach the world of volleyball in middle school thanks to my physical education teacher, a volleyball coach. She noticed me right away: I was a tall kid (well, I still stand out tall ☺), and she kept suggesting I try this sport. But then the turning point came in my freshman year of high school: I applied to a professional team in Castellana. Given my height, the Castellana coach decided to take a chance on me. I was young, but very determined: I took everything I had and moved there, far from my family, to pursue my dream of playing competitively. My first match was a derby between Materdomini and New Mater, the two historic clubs in Castellana. Since it was my first year playing, I didn't play much, but the coach put me on the court in the third set. Well, to be honest, it wasn't a success: I spiked a ball but was hit by a block that I still remember very well. Luckily, I'm a very humorous person;I took it philosophically, and it helped me give it my all! But every time I think about it, I laugh about how my journey didn't start out so well ☺ And then, from there, it was a long road, but so far I've won two youth championships. I participated in an Under-19 World Cup where I was named best center back, and an Under-21 World Cup where I won the award for best center back in the world. They say that confirming your performance is much harder than winning, and I did it! The best thing about my job? The emotions I feel when I'm on the pitch! So many, so different, so incredibly "alive." The strongest emotion I feel is every time we sing the national anthem. It's always fascinated me, and even when I was little, I was there singing in front of the TV!
The importance of proper nutrition in sports
I must admit that to get to where I am now, which I hope is just the beginning of a brilliant career, you need discipline. Discipline, as in every field, is of fundamental importance. In sports, it plays an essential role in ensuring the complete harmony of players and staff. There are rules, especially when it's a team game, as in my case. And then there's discipline and proper nutrition, which is extremely important to me. Personally, I've understood this, especially since I started seeing a nutritionist. I must admit that thanks to proper nutrition, my athletic performance has improved significantly. Come to think of it, my mother started giving me advice on proper nutrition when I was a child. At home, there was a weekend rule: carbonated drinks only exceptionally on Saturdays or Sundays. As a child, I couldn't follow my mother's advice to the letter. As I grew up, I realized that she was always right! Long live Mom! Now, I consume varying amounts of nuts and legumes a week, but it depends on how many hours I train each day. I generally eat carbohydrates five times a week. Legumes, on the other hand, once every two days, as a main dish along with carbohydrates, and a small portion as a side dish once a day. Luckily, my eating habits have changed: as a child, legumes weren't my thing. Now, when I can, I indulge in one of my two favorite dishes: pasta and lentils, and then a special family recipe: pasta with robiola cheese and pistachios! Dried fruit, on the other hand, is a must for breakfast (I love walnuts and almonds), and if I'm hungry, even during training. So I always have a nuts snack with me just in case: it's my ally!
