Monday, July 25, 2011

Optimum Sports Nutrition

Optimum Sports Nutrition.Majority of athletes and health buffs are very much concerned about sports nutrition and they want to make it as optimum as possible, which is just right.  Sports and other physical activities can indeed be quite strenuous and stressful for the body. 

If not backed up by proper nutrition, these activities will adversely affect the entire body.  Thus, it is just best to always aim for an optimum sports nutrition.

There is not one standard that will clearly identify what an optimum sports nutrition is.  Yes, there are several products in the market that are literally labelled as such but they cannot automatically guarantee best results. 

This is mainly because the results are not purely dependent on the product itself.  Instead, great consideration must also be given on the condition of one’s body.  Only after identifying the body’s current status will one be able to know what sports nutrition is optimum.

The basics, though, of a sports nutrition that is optimum lie on three major aspects. 

First, there has to be an intake of enough liquid which may or may not contain additional components that are equally beneficial.  Second, a suitable diet must provide the body with appropriate nutrients.  Third, certain supplements and vitamins must come hand in hand with the first two to further boost their impact on the body.  Everything must then spring from these three fundamental requirements.

Indeed, an optimum sports nutrition for one person may not be considered similarly by another.  This is primarily because every person has unique needs and goals, and is in unique circumstances.  These should be considered carefully at the very start. 

The nutrients that are usually beneficial for any athlete are carbohydrates and protein.  These two play a major role in making the body cope with the extreme stress that comes with the activities.  They also boost one’s immune system.  Most of the time, these are included in sports drinks.  Also, the foods that athletes eat are usually rich in these.

Generally, a physician is the best person to tell what the optimum sports nutrition is for a certain person.  This is so because he has a broad understanding of the functions of the human body and its reaction to environmental stimulators. 

However, one must also take into consideration that a significant part of a physician’s diagnosis or recommendation depends on what one tells him, as not everything is observable.  Providing him with one’s activity plans will indeed help a lot.

Moreover, mere identification of the optimum sports nutrition is not enough as religious adherence to it is what creates a significant effect.  One must commit himself to it no matter what.  It has to be in constant partnership with one’s physical efforts. 

An irregular nutrition program is not at all beneficial and may even cause adverse effects since the body is getting confused with the nutrients that sometimes do come in the body and at times do not.

This is also one of the reasons why one is discouraged to start with it if the motivation is mainly just peer or societal pressure. 

In such cases, more often than not, the nutrition program is not sustained and is just put to waste no matter how optimum it was supposed to be.  There has to be a better motivation other than mere imitation of other people. 

Sports nutrition must be optimum in any case.  This is what every person engaging in such should aim for at all times.  The body is at stake so there must not be a room for compromises.  The best should remain one’s target no matter what.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Nutraceutical Industry and Sports Nutrition

Nutraceutical Industry and Sports Nutrition.The role of food in total health care is not something new to mankind. The use of food to maintain man's health is as natural as day and night. More than 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates, considered as the father of medicine, said, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." It is this principle that eventually led to the explosion of the nutraceutical industry.

The nutraceutical industry is concerned with nutraceuticals, that is, “ food or part of a food that offers medical and/or health benefits including prevention or treatment of disease.”

All therapeutic areas such as anti arthritic, cold and cough, pain killers, digestion, sleeping disorders, blood pressure, cholesterol, prevention of certain cancers, osteoporosis, depression and diabetes are covered by nutraceuticals.

Products range from herbal dietary supplements, actual food components in dosage form such as capsules or tablets to beverages fortified with vitamins and genetically engineered designer foods, functional foods, processed foods such as cereal, soup and beverages.

Functional foods, the most popular term among consumers are modifieds food or food ingredients that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.

Nutraceuticals is widely popular in the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe and has garnered $80 billion dollars in revenues. The demand for nutraceuticals has been growing worldwide due to consumer awareness of the links of diet and disease, aging population, rising health care cost and innovations in food technology and nutrition.

Sports and Food

In the last decade, sports and fitness nutrition has emerged as one large distinct category in the nutraceutical industry. Three main products contributed to the market’s dramatic 2004 growth:

•    low carbohydrate products - which grew by as much as 154%

•    sports energy beverages - which grew by 18%;

•    sports supplements - which grew by 6%.

Now, the $2 billion-worth sports nutrition industry has moved away from the plain-tasting protein powders into a bigger pool of choices for customers. Available in almost any drug stores or supermarkets are energy bars, meal replacement products, protein powders, individual items (e.g., creatine, L-carnitine), amino acids, herbs, prohormones (hormone precursors); vitamins; minerals; and combination products. Because of this the sports nutrition nutraceutical industry is considered a 'niche' market and an offshoot of the mainstream food industry.

Competition factors for the Sports Nutrition Market

Product/brand differentiation

Because of greater saturation and competition in the marketplace sports nutrition products look alike and sound the same. Maintaining a brand that stands apart from the rest is difficult but a thing to strive for.

Research-substantiated claims.

Consumers’ ability to make intelligent choices should never be underestimated. People place more faith endorsements by university professors and doctors and claims backed by independent research than by endorsements by celebrities.

Core products and strategies

A good strategy now is to focus development of core products or integrating with large food and pharmaceutical concerns (e.g., Powerbar, BalanceBar).

E-commerce

For small companies that cannot or will not rely on strong distribution relationships, e-commerce is an increasingly attractive option.

Basis for marketing strategy

The factors for competition stated above have been gleaned from researches of what consumers are willing to pay for. Overall, customers want:

Something New

Retailers and consumers clamor for "new," whether it means new forms of delivery (gels, effervescent tablets, functional beverages), new applications of or combinations with existing products, or all-natural sports nutrition products that are free of artificial ingredients and solvents.

Excellent Tasting All-natural products

Consumers are also looking for products that taste good and are easy to take. Taste is a major feature that can either make or break a product. The hunt is on for manufacturers to come up with better and new flavors.

High quality and safe products

Regulatory agencies exist to protect the consumers. It is the responsibility of product manufacturers to undertake sound research and prove the efficacy and safety of their nutraceutical products. Products that are based on false or misleading marketing should be and are banned and condemned.

Through product sales and advances in research and development, the Sports Nutrition Nutraceutical Industry is now validating what was proven, early on, by the fitness and nutrition pioneers -- sports nutrition products provide easier access to a healthier way of performing and living.

Natural Sports Nutrition Diet for Champions

Natural Sports Nutrition Diet for Champions.They say that great artists are made, not born. The same could also be said for athletes. Of course, genetics plays a large part in differentiating a mere athlete from a sports champion, but to be able to attain that legendary status in the Hall of Fame, an aspiring sportsman must go through the strictest of diets that will help shape and strengthen the physique.

By drinking sufficient amounts of water and consuming a balanced diet, the body can generate a lot of energy which will greatly help in boosting for top athletic performance.

What are the factors to be considered in designing a complete and healthy natural sports nutrition program?

1. Hydration

Obviously, the most important thing in natural sports nutrition is water. The significance of water can never be discounted because the human body is composed of sixty percent of it, and every bodily function cannot work without water. The good old eight-cups-of-water-a-day recommendation is essential because the body must replace the water it eliminates, like sweat and urine.

Here are some helpful reminders to maintain proper hydration:

-Instead of slugging humongous amounts of water in infrequent sittings, drink small portions in frequent durations.

-Cold beverages aid the body in cooling down body temperature, therefore cutting down the amount of sweating.

-One should drink 2-3 cups of water for every pound that the body losses after exercising.

2. Sources of Fuel

A balanced diet is another must for natural sports nutrition. Athletes must acquire the perfect combination of calories that can be consumed from protein, carbohydrates and fats, which are great sources of energy.

Carbohydrates are the most important fuel source, which can be found in foods such as breads, pastas, rice, fruits, veggies and cereals. These foods can supply the body about seventy percent of the needed daily calories. Carbs provide the body the power and endurance it needs for short-duration activities that involve maximum level of intensity. This fuel comes from the energy given by sugar and starches that the body converts.

Here are strategies to maximize the potential of carbs:

-Start loading up on carbs at least several days before prior to the competition.

-Carbs should be consumed in greater amounts in the duration of activities that lasts more than one hour to fend off the onset of fatigue.

Another imperative factor in natural sports nutrition is proteins. Athletes should eat lots of dairy, eggs, meats, fish and chicken, along with nuts and beans. Protein supplies as much as fifteen percent of calories in the body. To determine the amount of protein needed by an athlete, the following factors should be considered: his fitness level, the type of exercise along with its duration and intensity, and his overall carb and calorie intake.

The last fuel source that is important for natural sports nutrition is fats. There are two kinds: saturated and unsaturated. Although it is a significant component in nutrition, the intake of fats should be strictly monitored. Too much consumption of fats may lead to major health problems such as cancer and heart disease.

The road to sports excellence is not easy. Along with fostering courage and determination, athletes have to follow the strict regimen brought on by natural sports nutrition. But all of these will be worth the trouble once victory is achieved.

The Sports Nutrition Industry: Keywords to Success.

The Sports Nutrition Industry: Keywords to Success. Every developed and developing country is teeming today with manufacturers and distributors of nutraceutical products that cater to professional sportsmen and women and sport-minded ones alike. Health products of every type, size and taste have abound. Today, the nurtraceutical industry is estimated to be worth $80 billion (U.S.) Just what are the factors of success in this highly competitive field of sports nutrition industry?

The biggest sports nutrition players have come up with keywords to success:

Keyword: Research

Company efforts to advance the field of supplement products for sports nutrition are the backbone of any industry. By supporting clinical research and trying to foster a relationship with science advisory boards, the field of sports nutrition is advanced. Eventually, consumers are able to receive innovative, scientifically-based, safe and effective products.

Advisory boards have funded research projects on nutrition and sports performance including research on creatine, HMB, CLA and glutamine among others. Research grants are also provided to young scientists early in their careers.

Large-scale sports nutrition industries commit over $500,000 every year to independent analytical analysis to ensure that sports nutrition products meet specifications. Investigations are also warranted. There should be rigorous vendor certification or re-certification auditing program that helps companies adhere to industry quality standards.

Keyword: Innovation

New products and technologies should be developed to provide the best quality on existing products.

Consumers have a preoccupation of trying out something “new,.” There should always be innovation whether it means new forms of delivery (gels, effervescent tablets, functional beverages) or new applications of or combinations with existing products.

Keyword: Price

For Sports Nutrition consumers, price is still everything. In the U.S. for example, even though people were getting laid off and the economy has been unstable after 9/11 people still wanted to work out and stay healthy. This coupled with higher oil prices has lead people to look for deals and good prices.

Products must be extremely competitively. Sport Nutrition giants for example rely on increased sales volume in exchange of lesser profit margins on each product sold.

Quality, certification and taste matter but in the final analysis, consumer want good deals on great products.

Keyword: Variety

What should retailers do to become their customers' first choice for sports nutrition products? Carry a variety of lines that will offer clients with options in supplements.

Retailers often opt not to sports supplements when they carried only one line or one brand. Sports nutrition customers are varied and are everywhere. There are more women as well as men buying supplements and at different ages and varied income brackets. Retail stores should therefore be able to offer a selection products or else buyers will look elsewhere, like the internet or shop somewhere other than these local vitamin stores or pharmacies.

Keyword: Safe

There are regulatory agencies to protect consumers. Sports nutrition companies should engage in top of the line research and development and prove the efficacy and safety of their nurtraceutical products. Products that are based on false or misleading marketing should be and are banned and condemned.

It is thus the responsibility of manufacturers and marketers to provide sports nutrition products that are safe, effective, easily used, and completely understood by both retailers and consumers.

Today, natural product retailers can provide consumers safe alternatives to potentially harmful chemical stimulants (fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine), fat-chelating agents, cosmetic surgery, and a life of inactivity or painful exercise Natural, science-based exercise nutrition products that promote energy, fitness, and weight loss are now available.

Keyword: Information

Consumers are becoming more and more intelligent. They rely on scientific and hard facts rather than recommendations and endorsements from celebrities and sports personalities. Aside from vigorous research, sports nutrition companies should invest in a sound information dissemination and product communication strategy to stay ahead of the game.

Product information should be detailed but fairly understandable. Also, information should be readily available on product packets, posters, print and TV advertisements and the internet. Consumers can believe only what manufacturers communicate well.

Everything focuses around education for the consumer — an educated consumer is the industry's best friend.

These principles helped sports nutrition companies boost the industry as a whole. If remembered and adhered to, these keywords will spur more gains in the industry as large portions of the world’s population now put priority to fitness and health. 

International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism

Journals related to Sports Nutrition

As sports nutrition is becoming more and more an interesting and in-demand field in scientific study, venues to expose and encourage developments have been established. There are several journals related to sports nutrition. The following are some examples:

International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism

IJSNEM  offers information on sports nutrition and exercise metabolism by publishing original scientific investigations, scholarly reviews and articles which focus on the application of the principles of biochemistry, physiology, and nutrition to sport and exercise.

Although sport nutrition today is a distinct academic and applied field of work, it receives input from—and makes contributions to—fields like nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, psychology, clinical medicine, and the sport and exercise sciences.

These perspectives are welcomed and encouraged in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (IJSNEM). The journal now serves as a forum for the publication of scholarly and applied work regarding the nutritional, biochemical, and molecular aspects of exercise science.

Original researches with human subjects are given top priority in IJSNEM but relevant researches with experimental animals are also submitted. Case studies showing systematic, rather than casual observation conducted with appropriate instrumentation will be accepted. Articles with clinical application are also included. Aside from these, editorials, digests of related articles from other fields, research notes, and reviews of books, videos, and other media releases are offered in the journal.

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

IJSPP is an international peer-reviewed journal focused on sports physiology and performance. It aims to advance the knowledge of sport and exercise physiologists, sports-performance researchers, and other sports scientists by examining and publishing practical and research aspects of sports physiology and sports performance.

Articles in sport physiology and related disciplines that have connections with enhancing sport performance, preventing decrements in performance, or enhancing recovery of athletes are featured in IJSPP. The journal publishes original research reports, invited reviews, commentaries, technical reports, case studies.  There is also an editorial section.

Usual topics in IJSPP include team sports, individual sports, performance aspects of environmental physiology, applied sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, biomedical science, and applications of sport technology. Readership include sport scientists, sport physicians, coaches, academic researchers, students, and related professionals.

Controlled experimental and observational researches as long as they are comprehensive or systematic and appropriate standards of scientific methodology and analysis are met are welcome.

Motor Control (MC)

Motor Control is an international journal has been created for information exchange on the control of human movement through a lifespan. The journal provides reports to keep readers abreast of current developments in the field of motor control as well as motor disorders.

MC publishes various types of research papers: clinical experimental, modeling and theoretical studies. Varied disciplines complement each other in this publication: biomechanics, kinesiology, neurophysiology, neuroscience, psychology, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. Aside from research papers, review articles, quick communications, commentaries, target articles, and book reviews are also featured.

Contribution to the understanding of movement control should be clearly demonstrated in an article for it to be published.

Quest

Each issue of Quest examines critical issues facing physical educators in secondary schools and research developments in the sport sciences and other sub-disciplines of human movement. Theoretical explorations to applied studies in this journal synthesize research to help advance the field of physical activity.

Quest does not publish original research reports on professional development of physical education but welcomes articles that are based on, complement, or review empirical research related to it. Quest considers both theoretical and practical articles. Readers includes academicians, teachers, and administrators

The Journal of Applied biomechanics

(JAB) is a quarterly journal dedicated to the study of human biomechanics in sport, exercise, and rehabilitation. The reader will find research articles, clinical studies, and other pertinent information highlighting current advances in biomechanics in each issue.

The effect and control of forces that act on and are produced by the human body are highlighted in JAB. Studies related to modeling and human movement simulation and to the effects of internal and external forces like nutrition on body structures during skill development and rehabilitation are also appropriate.

Original research reports, invited review papers, and "target" articles on selected current issues in the field are published. Jab also contains book reviews, technical notes, an editorial section, and other special features.