Danilo Manari
Danilo Manari, an Italian cardiologist specializing in sports medicine, focuses heavily on the physical performance of elite athletes. His work involves studying and monitoring the cardiovascular system in sportspeople, primarily through stress tests and medical evaluations designed to ensure they can compete safely at the highest level. He runs the Cardiovascular and Health Medicine center as well as O2up, a company he founded. In professional football, he collaborates with Bologna and Real Madrid, offering nutritional guidance and performance testing. He has also worked with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric.
In an interview with El Mundo, he stated that it is “impossible” to imitate these four footballers, describing them as athletes with natural conditions “so exceptional that they go beyond any training.” While acknowledging that they also improve with practice, he noted that “they start from a level that does not correspond to ordinary people like us.”
When discussing how these elite athletes influence everyday practice, Manari used a technological comparison: “It’s a bit like Formula 1: the technological innovation that later appears in everyday cars is first tested in competition vehicles.”
On the compatibility between sport and well-being, Manari emphasized the importance of organization and moderation with “structured physical activity.” He explained that it is common to see non-professionals preparing for major challenges, starting with three to five weekly workouts, but warned about limits: “Moderation is necessary. If physical effort becomes a second or third job, there is a risk of serious problems.”
Manari stressed the importance of proper nutrition as the foundation of sports performance. He noted that “it should be very varied, prioritize rotating protein sources throughout the week, reduce meat consumption—especially red meat—and include a significant amount of vegetables and fruits,” along with ensuring “the right amount of carbohydrates relative to training.” He also insisted on organizing meals throughout the day, stating that “five meals a day: three main meals and two snacks” is a recommended structure. He added that it is preferable “to have a full breakfast, sitting at the table, rather than standing at the bar,” and warned against eating hard-to-digest foods close to training or rest.
He further highlighted the importance of diet quality for performance and recovery, explaining that “the famous light dinner should be light not so much in quantity, but in quality in terms of digestion.” On alcohol, he was unequivocal: “The ideal amount for an athlete would be zero grams per week.”
