There is a growing body of scientific research on the role of milk and dairy foods in sport and exercise nutrition. The nutritional composition of milk – its protein, carbohydrate and electrolyte content – suggests that it would be useful as a sports drink. A number of studies have confirmed a role for milk, particularly for recovery after exercise, including for effective rehydration and muscle reconditioning and repair. More recently, the potential benefits of consuming dairy before exercise for calcium balance and bone health have also been highlighted.
For a summary of Milk & Dairy in Sport & Exercise Nutrition click here
We’ve included a selection of presentations on sport and exercise nutrition from our conferences and symposia below, including our ‘Milk It’ Seminars
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, November 2023
Professor Gareth Wallis - Delivering carbohydrates for exercise with dairy - the application of lactose in sports nutrition
Dr Pamela Magee - Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake of team sports athletes
Emma Gardner - Fuelling the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad
Watch recordings of the seminar here
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, November 2022
Professor Craig Sale - The role of milk and dairy foods for bone health in athletes
Conor Raleigh - The impact of low carbohydrate diets on bone in athletes
Dr Emma Tester - A week in the life of the Premier League
Watch a recording of the Seminar here
European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) Food Matrix Webinar, June 2022
Webinar - From athletes to older adults: food-focused approaches for maximising the health effects of protein
Dr Nicholas A Burd, University of Illinois, USA
Food matrix effects – implications for the impact of protein on muscle
Dr Caoileann Murphy, Teagasc, Trinity College Dublin and Australian Catholic University
Practical aspects of optimising food-focused protein nutrition
Download the webinar booklet
Watch the webinar here
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Online Sports Nutrition Seminar, November 2021
Dr Nicholas Burd, University of Illinois
Food matrix effects on protein nutrition – implications for athletes
Click here to watch a recording of the webinar
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Online Sports Nutrition Seminar, November 2020
Professor Louise Burke, Australian Catholic University
The role of dairy in contemporary sports nutrition
Click here to watch a recording of the webinar
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, December 2019
Professor Louise Burke, Australian Institute of Sport
New ideas about calcium and bone health in athletes
Ruth Wood–Martin
The road to (and in) Japan: the nutrition journey of RWC 2019
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2018
Dr Oliver C Witard, University of Stirling
Protein from dairy, meat, fish and plants: what’s the difference for muscle recovery in athletes?
Kathryn Stewart, Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist
Challenges of the ‘Race Around Ireland’: 2,150km, non–stop ultra–cycling event
DCNI Nutrition & Health Conference, Belfast, April 2018
Professor Wendy Kohrt, University of Colorado, Denver
Exercise, hormones and disease prevention
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2017
Prof Susan Lanham–New, University of Surrey
Influences of diet and exercise on bone health in athletes
Danielle Logue, University College Dublin
Relative energy deficiency in sport: an update
Renee McGregor, Performance and Eating Disorder Specialist Dietitian & Holly Rush, Ultra distance runner
When healthy living goes bad
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2016
Dr Emma Cockburn, Middlesex University
Milk and muscle recovery: an update
Ruth Wood–Martin, IRFU
Intro: impact of nutrition on health, training & performance
Sports nutrition insights from Rio 2016:
Dr Sharon Madigan, Irish Institute of Sport – Rio reflections
Ciara Mageean – From Portaferry to Rio
Dr Hannah MacLeod – GB women’s hockey team: journey to success
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2015
Mhairi Keil, Lead Nutritionist British Gymnastics
Practical sports nutrition insights: the performance nutritionist’s perspective
Dr Lewis James, Loughborough University
Post–exercise rehydration: the emerging role of milk
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2014
Wendy Martinson, Lead Nutritionist GB Rowing
Practical sports nutrition insights – the sports nutritionist’s perspective
Prof Kevin Tipton, University of Stirling
An update on post–exercise recovery strategies: a role for milk?
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2012
Dr Naomi Cermak, Maastricht University
Does protein improve adaptations to training – a role for milk?
Practical nutrition insights from the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics:
Alex Popple, Lead Performance Nutritionist, British Swimming
Dr Sharon Madigan, Olympic Council of Ireland Nutritionist
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, November 2011
Professor Ron Maughan, Loughborough University
Optimising rehydration after exercise
Dr Emma Stevenson, Northumbria University
Putting post–exercise recovery strategies into practice
DCNI ‘Milk It’ Sports Nutrition Seminar, Belfast, October 2010
Professor Ron Maughan, Loughborough University
Milk and rehydration
Dr Emma Cockburn, Northumbria University
Milk and muscle recovery
Dr Andrea McNeilly, University of Ulster
Sports nutrition in practice with young people
DCNI Nutrition & Health - What's New? Conference, Belfast, February 2010
Dr Susan Shirreffs, Loughborough University
Developments in sports nutrition – strategies for post–exercise recovery