Articles

Simple Sugars

2017-02-02T17:40:16-08:00

Common Questions about Sugars and the Glycemic Index by Jenny Hegmann Jenny Hegmann, MS, RD, is co-author of The Cyclist's Food Guide: Fueling for Distance (© 2005 Sports Nutrition Publishers) with Nancy Clark, MS, RD. Hegmann is a sports nutritionist and long-distance cyclist. She lives and works in the greater Boston area. What type of carbohydrate is best for health and for riding? The quality of a carbohydrate used to be judged by whether it was complex or simple. Complex carbohydrates (potato, bread) were considered "slow," providing a steady, longer-lasting supply of glucose to the body. Simple carbohydrates (sweets, sugar) [...]

Simple Sugars2017-02-02T17:40:16-08:00

Water and Salt Intake During Exercise

2017-02-02T17:41:37-08:00

by Lulu Weschler Lulu Weschler is a physical therapist, ultra cyclist and regular contributor to UltraCycling Hyponatremia: How To Recognize, Treat And Prevent It As little as 2% dehydration adversely affects performance[1]. But as little as 2% overhydration can cause life-threatening hyponatremia[2]. Clearly, you need to get your hydration needs just right. Hydration must be coupled with adequate sodium intake; sodium losses can be significant during prolonged exercise[3,4]. Barr et al[3] observed an average loss of 12 g salt in six hours of cycling at 86 degrees F and 30% relative humidity (2 g more than the average US daily [...]

Water and Salt Intake During Exercise2017-02-02T17:41:37-08:00

Low Blood Sodium

2017-02-02T17:42:21-08:00

Bloating with low blood sodium is extremely dangerous by Lulu Wescher Lulu Weschler is physical therapist, ultra cyclist and regular contributor to UltraCycling. Introduction A potentially very dangerous situation in endurance athletes is low blood sodium. During an ultra event, an athlete may drink plenty of water, but not replace the sodium lost in sweat. If the athlete starts retaining water (bloating), then the decrease of sodium in the body and the increase in fluid will result in a too low concentration of sodium in the blood. Bloating with low blood sodium is extremely dangerous because it can lead to [...]

Low Blood Sodium2017-02-02T17:42:21-08:00

Electrolytes and Fluid Replacement: Any Debate?

2017-02-02T17:43:12-08:00

Maintaining proper electrolyte levels in endurance athletes is critical to performance. by Kevin Setnes and Karl King Kevin Setnes is an ultra runner, regular contributor to Ultra Running magazine and coach. Karl King developed SUCCEED products for endurance athletes. For more information, go to suceedscaps.com Introduction Recent debates about the need for electrolytes raise many interesting questions and points. Too much or too little? What is right for you? Are there dangers to watch out for? These are valid questions; but there aren't any yes or no answers. Fact: Maintaining proper electrolyte levels in endurance athletes is critical to performance. [...]

Electrolytes and Fluid Replacement: Any Debate?2017-02-02T17:43:12-08:00

Riding in the Heat

2017-02-02T17:47:15-08:00

A Case Study by John Hughes John Hughes is a former director of the WUCA, has been certified by the NSCA as a personal trainer and by USA Cycling as a coach. Learn about Hughes’ coaching at www.coach-hughes.com. The Problem Rider A, who lives in Southern California writes: I am 53 years old and this year I started having problems with heat exhaustion on rides. This problem has caused me to bail on five rides. The problem has occurred at temperatures from 72 to 104 degrees. I start to get a headache followed by disorientation, nausea then vomiting. I cool [...]

Riding in the Heat2017-02-02T17:47:15-08:00
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