Nutrition for Athletic Performance
Are your athletes built like stealth bombers, but performing like crop dusters? If so, it might not be the way they are strength training or the lack of rest they are getting. The big concern is likely to be because of their nutrition for sports performance. The old clich�, �you are what you eat�, is actually the biggest reason that you are able to get the absolute best performance out of your players. Most athletes, because they are usually lean and mean, typically eat what they want when they want it, thinking it will not affect them, WRONG! So where do you, as there leader go from here you ask?
First you have to start with a journal. Begin today with having your athletes start honestly writing out what they have been eating on a daily basis. This is a great start to figure out how you can shift the direction of what they are currently eating to a more positive change. This method will also teach your athletes to have a vested interest in building your sports program.
The next thing is to possibly bring someone to staff that has a discerning position towards nutrition like a register dietician. If you do not have the necessary knowledge to make the changes, a registered dietician will. Another possibility is to just do research on sports performance nutrition. This will help give you an outline of the direction needed to get your athletes on the right track.
The third bit of advice is to begin changing yourself! Lead by example. You will feel better, your athletes will respect you more, and they will see that toughness comes all the way from the top.
So here are some more tips that can gear you for combat:
Start loading your players up on water. One of the biggest problems with performance is hydration. The lack of water intake is detrimental to their blood levels, kidneys and waste excretion. Staying hydrated will keep unnecessary cramping down, maintain good energy levels throughout practice and game time, and support proper sweating mechanisms through extreme heat.
Begin to get a better understanding of carbohydrate intake to support good endurance, mental focus and muscle repair support. However, make certain that the carbs taken in are clean carbs, whole-grain breads and pastas, and lots of fruits and vegetables. That way you will know that they are getting all the fortified vitamins and minerals to support muscle performance, enhancement and repair.
Consume proteins from all-natural (preferably organic) meats. Fresh chicken and turkey cuts, lean red meats (minimal if possible), and meat alternatives like eggs and cottage cheese. No fast-foods allowed! Processed foods take a nasty PROCESS in an athlete�s digestive system, which will make anyone sluggish and lethargic. Protein shakes are fine, only after there has been a base of good eating habits. But beware of different types. Always use a clean protein, usually a whey, that has no added sugars or aspartame, which is also a horrible blow to the body.
This is the most critical point to be made, make sure that your athletes are getting adequate rest! REST, REST, and more REST! The body breaks down too easy from over-usage (practice, game, school and film studies, social life, etc.). Rest sounds so simple but the busy lives that most of us lead, are leading us into an early grave. Rest will recuperate the body fast, and strengthen a level of focus like no other. So mandate a rest time to ensure better production.
So if you want your athletes to fly swift and bomb the competition hard, make sure that you are fueling their tanks with the best octane out there. Other wise, they might as well be fumigating corn fields. You are the leader, take command of your troops, and they will lead you to victory.
