With an increase in Sport Science research and especially knowledge regarding Sports nutrition it is becoming more and more apparent about the benefits that can be derived from correct fuelling during sporting activities. Our body stores approximately 90 minutes worth of glycogen, which we gain from eating Carbohydrates and use as readily available energy. If exercise is performed to a high intensity this 90 minute window may reduce. Therefore in sports that last over an hour it could be useful to take additional food or drinks to delay the onset of fatigue or cramps, reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance.
Energy bars, drinks and Gels contain electrolytes, important for the function of the body during exercise. By sweating and expending energy we use up natural stores of electrolytes therefore using Isotonic products before and during sport can greatly offset the effect of fatigue or cramp. Professional cyclists who may burn up to 8000 calories a day, riding for 4-8 hours, the increasing popularity of Ultra-running events and triathlon have all seen a rise in usage of more advanced nutrition strategies to ensure athletes can perform way beyond the 90 minute Glycogen window.
Sports of a long duration where supplementary fuel is necessary can hugely benefit from food and drink carriers to make the essential fuelling as easy as possible whilst on the move. At Physioroom our range includes; the Ribble hydration belt that can store gels or bars but also includes a bottle which is designed anatomically to sit with the pelvic position and not rub or bounce up and down whilst you move. For shorter duration exercise events, or if you know there will be water available on the course at aid stations, the Titan runner’s pack is a smaller and more streamlined way of carrying fuel. For some people carrying a rucksack is more comfortable and if training is often combined with commuting to and from work the Aire 2litre race elite hydration pack could be an ideal option to fit more kit into. For ultra-distance races there is often a list of compulsory safety kit to carry so a pack offers more room to accommodate the necessities. With handy pockets located on the front straps of the pack, food, phones or drinks can easily be stored so that the whole pack doesn’t need to be removed to fuel.
