Training
Tips

Consult a Sports Dietitian

You are what you eat. As an athlete, the food and fuel that you put into your body plays a huge role in your ability to perform at your best during competition, both immediately and in the long term. A dietitian who is trained in sports nutrition can examine your diet, help identify those areas that can be improved, and make suggestions tailored to your unique athletic needs. This can help you take your game “to the next level.” Look for the credentials RD and CSSD, and visit www.scandpg.org to locate a sports dietitian near you.


Checkup/Functional Assessment

Some athletes have underlying muscle imbalances, misalignments, or limb-length discrepancies that may predispose them to injury. Often an athlete is unaware of these potential problems. A functional assessment by a physical therapist or other certified specialist can help identify these potential problems. A professional can recommend a strength, stretching, or other training program that can help correct these problems before they lead to injuries.


What to Eat While Training

The body has enough energy stored in the muscles and liver to fuel training or competition for 90–120 minutes. After that fuel is exhausted, the dreaded “bonk” quickly ensues. To avoid running out of fuel, an athlete should consume quick-acting, easily digestible carbohydrates for any exercise lasting longer than 60 minutes. PowerBar® Endurance sports drink, PowerBar® Gels, PowerBar® Energy Blasts gel-filled chews, and PowerBar® Performance Energy bars are great ways to maintain energy and remain strong throughout competition and training.


Nutritional Insurance: Supplements

The best way to obtain the nutrients that your body requires in order to reach peak athletic performance is to obtain these vital compounds through the food that you consume. However, many athletes don’t always have the time or the energy that is needed in order to ensure that they are providing their body with essential nutrients. As a result, many take nutritional supplements, and this is a good insurance plan — just to make sure that you can perform your best and remain healthy.


Mix Up Your Routine

The body is an amazing machine that is capable of great adaptation if a gradual, consistent training load is applied. However, if the same training stimuli are provided day after day, the adaptations by the body will gradually diminish. The key to getting the most out of your training is to “mix it up,” i.e., don’t do the same thing every day. Perform different types of training at different intensities, and your body will continue to adjust, growing stronger and faster.


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