Hey - I have a quick question... my husband and i are having a bit of a debate about the value of sports drinks and training. I have to admit that I'm somewhat fond of drinking gatorade whilst training and I do feel that it enhances my performance. My hubbie, however, a staunch pragamatist, thinks that sports drinks are nothing but gimics (for example, he's ex-army and his advice to those who want to 'get fit' is to find a hill and run up and down it until exhausted- don't talk about it, do it is his favourite motto).
Any thoughts anyone??
Swimmers are notorious for not taking in liquid or nutrients while training. Sweating is caused by a rise in core body temprature. This happens whether you are running, biking, swimming, etc. If you swim in warm water it is even worse. Would you run for an hour or more in 80 deg weather without taking a sip of water?
Taking in nutrients also helps you during certain types of training. For instance, in sprint/VO2 Max training your body is tapping Muscle glycogen (for the most part). As this is depleted, your ability to maintain speed is decreased, so is your training as lactic acid builds up (or ions as I recently read in the USMS forums). Taking in those carbohydrate drinks helps replenish that energy source so you can maintain training intensity.
Gatorade is a good suppliment, tho I usually cut it in half with water. This is a personal preference really, but I think the full strength stuff provides too much simple sugar too quickly. The body really needs more water than it does carbo's.
HTH,
Swimmers are notorious for not taking in liquid or nutrients while training. Sweating is caused by a rise in core body temprature. This happens whether you are running, biking, swimming, etc. If you swim in warm water it is even worse. Would you run for an hour or more in 80 deg weather without taking a sip of water?
Taking in nutrients also helps you during certain types of training. For instance, in sprint/VO2 Max training your body is tapping Muscle glycogen (for the most part). As this is depleted, your ability to maintain speed is decreased, so is your training as lactic acid builds up (or ions as I recently read in the USMS forums). Taking in those carbohydrate drinks helps replenish that energy source so you can maintain training intensity.
Gatorade is a good suppliment, tho I usually cut it in half with water. This is a personal preference really, but I think the full strength stuff provides too much simple sugar too quickly. The body really needs more water than it does carbo's.
HTH,
