Sport drinks and energy drinks. Are they the same?

Many people use the terms sport drink and energy drink interchangeably, but it’s important to recognize that they are not the same. Sports drinks are flavoured beverages that frequently contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes and various other vitamins or nutrients. Energy drinks may contain these ingredients as well, but they also include stimulants such as caffeine….

Caffeine

Do you like to sip a cup of coffee before a big game or match, or hitting the gym? A new study of combat sport athletes showed that caffeine ingestion enhances upper-body strength endurance and increases handgrip strength. This is particularly beneficial for grappling athletes competing in judo or jiu-jitsu.

Athlete nutrition and travel

For athletes competing in Beijing, meeting nutrition goals in a different food environment might be a challenge. Planning for eating en route, considering food culture at the destination, and establishing team rules around food hygiene can help teams and athletes ensure good nutrition, manage jet lag, and reduce the risk of illness during travel.

Incidence of RED-S amongst athletes

Athletes competing in sports that are aesthetically judged, body-weight dependent, and weight classed, are considered at high risk of developing relative energy deficiency (RED-S). However, research shows RED-S is still a concern for athletes in any sport, and can occur at any competitive level.

Leafy greens

Eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables each day could reduce the risk of falls and help maintain muscle strength and mobility into old age. In one study, older women who consumed a nitrate-rich diet from vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, and beetroot had significantly better muscle function of their lower limbs.

Late-night snacks

Having too many late-night snacks may be affecting your behaviour at work. Employees who reported eating too many late-night snacks were less likely to go the extra mile for colleagues or complete work-related tasks the next day.

Temperature regulation for wheelchair basketball athletes

Research with elite women’s wheelchair basketball athletes has shown playing time can negatively impact body temperature regulation, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. Coaches are encouraged to monitor the cooling strategies of athletes with high playing time and encourage all athletes to hydrate during time outs, substitutions, intermissions, and half…

Sodium supplementation beliefs

Many ultramarathon runners believe the consumption of sodium supplements during competition will prevent the symptoms of exercise-associated hyponatremia, including dehydration, muscle cramping, and nausea. However, accumulating evidence suggests supplementing sodium intake above what is consumed in food and drink is generally not necessary, and could be dangerous.

Pre-exercise hydration

While hydration practices during training and competition are important, new research emphasizes the importance of beginning endurance exercise in a well-hydrated state. Athletes experiencing pre-exercise dehydration showed impaired aerobic exercise performance, peak oxygen consumption, and lactate threshold.

Protective effects of nutrition

In American football, measurements revealed youth and college-level athletes experienced anywhere from 100-1,000 head impacts during the season. That trauma can add up, risking long-term impacts on brain health, including cognitive, emotional and behaviour difficulties and dysfunction. Consider the role of nutrition in protecting against repetitive sub-concussive injury.