9th June 2015 Many people take supplements to improve recovery after exercise but new research suggests this could be, at best, a waste of time or, worse, actually hinder the recovery process. Here’s why: The theory The traditional theory, the so-called antioxidant-exercise hypothesis, suggests that intense exercise produces high levels of free radicals, or reactive…
Updated 20th April 2016 What you eat and drink the day before the marathon as well as on the day can have a big effect on your performance. You’ll be burning approximately 2,600 calories over the course so consuming the right foods, avoiding dehydration and getting the timing right are all-important when it comes to…
27th February 2015 Could you be a cheat (without knowing)? The recent doping scandal in swimming involving Olympic medallist Park Tae-Hwan should serve as a warning to all athletes. As should the case of Welsh rugby player Lee Evans. Both were tested positive after taking supplements. It seems the biggest problem facing top athletes at…
11th February 2015 Yesterday’s row between nutrition experts over a report criticising dietary fat guidelines (it argued that dietary fat advice given to the nation was based on flimsy evidence and should not have been introduced) has thrown some timely nutrition arguments into the public arena. Should we continue advising the public to cut fat…
4th January 2015 After a workout, good nutrition habits help your body to adapt to the stress imposed by exercise, so you can become fitter, stronger and faster. Whether you’re exercising to improve performance or build muscle, here are 5 nutritional strategies you should build into your training programme. Eat the correct amount of carbs…
20th November 2014 With the myriad of sports drinks, gels, bars and chews now available you’d be forgiven for thinking these products are essential for performing well in sport. But there was a time when athletes ate actual food and still set world records – so are man-made sports supplements really necessary or could you…
1st October 2014 Tempted to give low carb diets a go? If you’re serious about your sport, you should know that low carb high fat (LCHF) diets – fashionable as they are – might actually hinder your performance. Here’s why. First, the theory behind LCHF diets: By restricting carbs you force your muscles to burn…
22nd July 2014 If you’ve been finding your workouts a little more sweaty lately – thanks to this glorious spell of hot humid weather – you may have been thinking about having a sports drink or an electrolyte tablet to replace your electrolyte losses. The truth is, you (most probably) don’t need them. Here’s why….
20th June 2014 Sugar in its various guises (gels, sports drinks, bars, etc) is a long-standing staple of athletes’ diets but with the tsunami of negative press surrounding it, should you now be cutting it out? The simple answer is no. People who work out regularly respond differently to sugar than those who don’t. For…
