Sports have always been something people did not only for entertainment but also for keeping fit. Sports have been around since the time of the ancient Greeks who have tallied some of the most impressive sports records of all time. It is no surprise therefore that the concept of sports nutrition was also something they started, if the diet regimen of Milo of Croton is any basis: 9 kilograms of meat, 9 kilograms of bread and 8.5 liters of wine a day. No bigger surprise still is his record for winning five successive Olympic Games in the wrestling division, from 532-516 B.C.
Sports nutrition is the study and practice of nutrition as it relates to athletic performance. The facts are based mostly on the quantity and quality of food and liquid taken by an athlete, as well as the nutrients and vitamins contained in each one. It also deals with supplements and organic substances like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Sports nutrition, however, mostly concentrates on strength sports like weightlifting and bodybuilding and endurance sports like cycling, running and swimming.
These days, it is no longer like the gladiator-type meal like Milo of Croton used to eat, but more like a coming together of proper exercise and diet which not only aims to make the body healthy, but also to make it more immune to chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, cancers, strokes and back injuries. Today, it focuses more on how people can have the stamina, energy and endurance to exercise more through the type of food they eat and the amount of nutrients their body absorbs. It is about stressing the importance of proper nutrition so that athletes can perform at their best and will be able to achieve their goals faster.
First-timers in strength sports or endurance sports often are in a quandary about how to maximize their workouts and getting the results they want. Some think eating less is best while some go for more protein and carbs thinking it'll help them bulk up faster. Whether you're a competitive athlete or just trying to maintain your ideal weight, the correct eating strategy along with the right dietary supplements will enhance your training, athletic performance and most of all, your overall health.
The most important thing needed in any exercise regimen or workout is of course, high quality energy to the working muscles. Glycogen, which is a form of carbohydrates, is the nutrient that fuels exercises that are between high to moderate intensity. Endurance athletes usually consume about 30-60 grams or 100-250 calories of carbohydrates per hour while exercising. The body's fat stores also help in fueling exercises but only for those in the low-intensity levels. Lastly, protein kicks in to maintain and repair body tissues which happen more than usual after intense workouts. Glycogen gets used up quickly, which is what accounts for the feeling of weakness and fatigue one feels after exercising or working out. This is the reason why seasoned bodybuilders use BCAAs or supplements that contain branch chain amino acids like leucine, isoleucine and valine that support muscle maintenance and growth. These supplements also contain energy-releasing succinates and B-Complex vitamins for recovery following exercise.
In addition, endurance athletes also need to choose supplements that contain caffeine for alertness and improved endurance and creatine for those who do repeated bouts of high-intensity exercises. Supplements are meant to make up for nutritional deficiency that sometimes happens when athletes follow a certain diet regimen but they are by no means meant to replace a complete meal.
Sports nutrition is not only being limited to supplements and what they can do, it's also knowing how to complement taking them with safe and healthy habits. Check out http://www.nutritionwarehouse.com.au for more information on what supplements are best for you and your training needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_G_Hil
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire