Sports Nutrition
Sports nutrition supplements have been used in various guises for many decades by athletes and bodybuilders. Even as early as the 1940s research indicated that supplemental protein could increase muscle mass if used by strength training athletes. However the last decade has seen the evolution of a multi million pound, sports nutrition industry. As the sports nutrition industry has grown, the products have become more advanced and the scientific scrutiny and testing has increased.
It is fair to say that as the industry becomes more main stream, the collective responsibility to ensure objective and concise information is readily available, increases. In their very broadest sense, sports nutrition products are designed to improve performance and help aid recovery from intense exercise. Many sports nutrition supplements are in fact food supplements which mean that they provide nutrients that are found in everyday foods but in a concentrated form. For example, whey protein is exceptionally high in protein (typically 80%) and can provide the same levels of protein found in a chicken breast but without the inconvenience of having to prepare and cook it.
As the name suggests, sports nutrition supplements should be complementary to a balanced diet. The majority of a person’s nutrients should always come from a diet being rich in unprocessed foods, using supplements to fill in any nutritional gaps. Sports Nutrition Limitations As the sports nutrition industry has grown in size, marketing by companies has increased. Unfortunately, some of the communication used builds unrealistic expectations. As someone who may be recommending sports nutrition products to users, it is key to understand what can be realistically achieved by using sports nutrition products. Sports nutrition products are not miracle potions, they will not yield huge gains in performance, however they will aid the user when combined with other important factors.
In its simplest form, the key pillars to achieving physical goals fall into the following areas: Diet – Arguably the most important factor. With a diet that isn’t tailored towards the correct goals, the goals may well not be realized. In its broadest sense, diet will also include the use of sports nutrition supplements, although it is important that they are not the main source of nutrition. Training – Without the correct exercise plan, the body will not be subjected to the right stressors from which it can adapt. For example someone wanting to put on mass would not train the same way as someone preparing for a marathon.
Rest – As the adage suggests, ‘you don’t grow in the gym’. Essentially recovery takes place in the days after training. If there is insufficient rest, training gains will be hindered and the body may go into a state of over training. The most important aspect when recommending sports nutrition products is making sure that they are suitable for the user. Understanding the user’s goals and any potential intolerances is key to finding the right product for any given person. Additionally having an understanding of their lifestyle (active/desk job) and diet will also play a factor in the type of products that are suited.
Gallery For Better HealthBest Fitness Food
Fitness is so much more important than most people imagine. Fitness isn’t just about looking good, but about feeling your best and being able to dig in and enjoy life. Diet fitness is probably the most important element to success and being able to reach your personal goals. The food you eat accounts for up to 80% of your fitness efforts. This truly puts a different spin on the way we should be looking at food and how it applies to our fitness goals.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “Garbage In, Garbage Out”, it should be particularly important when it comes to our bodies on a daily basis. It’s impossible to feel your best when you fill your body with food that amounts to nutritional garbage. Become a food snob! Exercise your right to a healthy and beautiful body by refusing to purchase or eat inferior overly processed food. Demand fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats at every meal.
Aim for as much as 85% of each day’s diet to come from raw, whole, unprocessed food as close to it’s natural state as possible. By embracing raw, whole and unprocessed foods as the major portion of your daily food intake, you will go a long way in achieving diet fitness and a healthy body. An exercise diary is the place to document your exercise program and goals. Your goals will determine the type of exercise program (more…)
Gallery For Better HealthNutrition is The New Competitive Advantage in Basketball
Nutrition is the New Competitive Advantage in BasketballCoaching basketball is a very challenging and rewarding profession. Getting a job as a basketball coach on any level is also very competitive. No matter the level of play there is a demand on the coaches to produce results. Even at the high school level a coach will not survive long if their program continues to lose. Coaches are always looking for a way to get a competitive edge.
Coaches will pay large amounts of money to go to coaching clinics or will study new coaching schemes. Yet, one of the areas that coaches haven’t explored is the nutritional factor of their athletes. Coaches will always do everything they can to get the best workout for their players. They will also look to get them into a weight lifting regiment. Yet, when it comes to what the players are putting into their bodies the coaches usually leave that decision up to the individual player. At some point each player has to take personal responsibility for making themselves into a better player. One of those responsibilities is to have a healthy diet.
It is very hard to force anyone to eat a certain diet; however, there is an easier way for coaches to increase the nutritional advantage that their players have. Increase the amount of protein that their players have in their diet. An increase in protein allows the players to create more lean muscle, which will increase their performance on the court, durability during a season, and over all endurance. The body almost never converts protein into fat, taking away any worry that a player would be getting too much protein in their diet. There is also a simple metric for how much protein a player needs in their diet. The amount of protein that someone who is actively training should intake is equal to half of their body weight in grams. (more…)
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