Ten false? MYTHS OF SPORTS NUTRITION: Part 1

Feb 03, 2015

by 226ERS #FeedYourDreams

Rodrigo "Rorro" "Moath" illustrates us again with his knowledge and experience about popular myths and beliefs in sports nutrition.

In sport there are millions of practices and beliefs that pass from generation to generation and are preserved by mere tradition, which become "Grandma's beliefs." We can see this in training, when selecting the material to be used And, of course, in nutrition So we are going to make a quick review of some of those who have seemed curious or who have been dating recent conversations with colleagues (real or internet). They are not all who are because there are many, they are not the most important but ten of those who have emerged without looking for them and I will not extend in scientific justifications but I simply expose them with brief words that intend to make reflect a little about whether it is myth or not, whether it has justification or not, etc.

1.- It is necessary to take supplements to improve.

No, it is not necessary And much less essential Take any type of supplement to improve. There are many things to focus to improve before having to resort to plus that may suppose supplementation. Of course, As the level of demand increases, convenience will also increase (or need) to resort to some kind of supplement, or as it helps, either because we need, but it should not be our first way of action or work. What needs to be done is to analyze the situation, needs, etc. And, depending on that, See if they are necessary or not.

2.- The supplements are not worth at all, they are not necessary.

Linked to what I have commented in the previous point, so that they are necessary, we have to be talking about levels of requirement and performance quite high But we cannot go to the other extreme and press that are useless and do not contribute anything. If the needs we have and are used well, it is undeniable that they give us and that in many cases, they are What makes the difference between that we can continue with a rhythm of life, training and performance or not. With supplements you have to analyze the situation, needs, and depending on that, see whether they are necessary or not.

3.- All sports supplements are the same.

Not far! The first, because there are many types (energy, vitamin, ...) and, the second, because, even being the same type They can have very different proportions of nutrients that they will have studied theoretically having objectives in mind. Here I am obviating the quality differences that would be a third point to take into account because, for example, Not all proteins are the same.

4.- There is an ideal proportion of nutrients.

If someone discovers that proportion The Nobel deserves as little because it would be the Holy Grail of Nutrition. Different sports, demand levels, weather conditions, objectives, athletes, ... how will it be possible for something to serve everyone equally? You have to analyze what is needed and from there looking for what meets those requirements.

5.- Fast assimilation carbohydrates are not adequate, better those of slow assimilation (or vice versa).

This is quickly disassembled with a question: Why are we going to use them? The energy requirements They are not the same In an average marathon "A Saco", in a marathon where we are going for a brand and we are going to rhythms around (almost) threshold, in cruise speed rolls to rhythms where we work at the aerobic power level, in a 100K ultra -artish test, ... In some cases we will need carbohydrates that pass directly to the boiler, with speeds of very fast assimilation and, in other cases, we will look for them to be Slowly and progressive assimilation. In addition to that we probably do not take any of the two types in isolation but We turn to mixtures of two, three and even four different types of carbohydrates to achieve better assimilation ratios.