Training/Nutrition for Better Sports Health (02)

Electrolyte Replacement
This lengthy article includes information about sports nutrition and electrolyte replacement. Water is the most abundant substance in the human body and is essential for normal physiological function, according to this article. Water loss due to sweating during exercise can result in decreased performance and other problems. Fluids should be consumed prior to, during, and after exercise, especially when extreme conditions of climate, exercise intensity, and exercise duration exist. Approximately two glasses of fluid should be consumed two hours before exercise and at regular intervals during exercise; fluid should be cool, not cold as well. Flavored sports drinks containing electrolytes are not necessary for fluid replacement during brief periods of exercise, but these electrolyte drinks may be more effective in encouraging the athlete to drink frequently and in larger amounts.

Sports Nutrition Equipment and Gear Reviews
While the equipment used in various sports can be bikes and balls, the equipment needed for optimal sports nutrition lies in the products. This website has a few links to reviews of popular sports supplements. Reviewed are: Special K, creatine monohydrate formulas such as CLF-5000, energy bars (such as Advantage, Source One, Balance, Power Bar, Ironman Bars and Max Bars), propecia, Met-Rx Original Vanilla, Adipokinetix and Guggulbolic for Fat Loss, Ribose, Zone Perfect Fish Oil Capsules and more.

Heart Rate Monitors for Endurance Training
Every athlete should have a heart rate monitor to help them achieve their best training results. Heart rate monitors (HRMs) revolutionized the endurance sport coaching business. HRMS are responsible for a new accuracy and specificity in coach/athlete communications that's not possible by simply describing workouts in terms of RPE (relative perceived exertion) or 'feel,' according to this article, which can help an athlete find their targeted heart rate. The monitor simply keeps track of numbers, indicating whether a triathlete needs to push harder, maintain speed and strength or slow down.

Electrolyte Replacement in Training
Many athletes use electrolyte replacement during training. Electrolytes are chemical substances used in the formations of electrically charged particles (ions) in body fluids. They are used to create electrical energy necessary for many body functions including transmission of nerves impulses and muscle contractions. In simple terms, many normal bodily functions depend on these substances. Replenishment of electrolytes is vital, especially for athletes and especially for triathlon athletes. Normal body functions, not to mention performance, are severely compromised if adequate levels of electrolytes are not present, especially in the heat and/or when exercise goes beyond the two-hour mark. This is why electrolyte replacement is so important.