Sports Nutrition Myths

Copyright: Gatorade Sports Science Institute
URL: http://www.gssiweb.com

Athletes are always looking for a secret edge against the competition and what an athlete chooses for fuel can help. Because sports nutrition is an evolving area of sports science, it is prone to myths and misconceptions. You’ve probably heard all of these myths, but do you know the real facts?

Sports Nutrition Myths
Myth # 1: Sugar should be avoided before training and competition

Sugar eaten before competition increases blood levels of glucose and insulin, which is not a bad thing. Sugar is a type of carbohydrate. Carbohydrate, whether in food or drink, taken before exercise can improve performance. An athlete who is not fueled is a tired athlete who can’t perform at his or her best.

Myth # 2: Sports drinks are only needed for exercise lasting more than an hour

Sports drinks can be beneficial in activities that last less than one hour, especially if the exercise is intense or occurs in hot, humid conditions. Professional athletes aren’t the only ones who benefit from sports drinks. Competitive athletes who play football, soccer, tennis, field hockey or basketball can benefit from the carbohydrate and electrolytes in sports drinks. Drinking sprots drinks encourages athletes to drink more, which is important sicne dehydration can occur in exercise lasting less than one hour. Using sports drinks is an easy way to improve performance and fight dehydration.

Myth # 3: Body image distortion is only a women’s issue

Men are increasingly exposed to super male images–from the bodies of professional wrestlers to the covers of men’s magazines. Men are increasingly dissatisfied with their body’s appearance. Body dysmorphic disorder, the preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance, is recognized as a psychological disorder. Many coaches and athletes may be unaware that it occurs in both males and females.

Myth # 4: Vitamins and minerals give athletes extra energy

Vitamins and minerals act as co-factors to unlock the chemical energy stored in food, but by themselves they do not give an athlete extra energy. A meal plan rich in grains, vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy give athletes energy. This food is also a vehicle of entry for the vitamins and minerals the body needs to unlock food energy. A multi-vitamin mineral supplement might be necessary for some athletes, but by itself, it will not provide extra energy.

Myth # 5: The ideal ratio of nutrients is 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 30% fat

Some diet plans recommend that 40% of energy come from carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat. Diets with these ratios can be detrimental to performance because they are low in calories and carbohydrates. Research shows a better diet plan for athletes is one that provides roughly 55% to 58% energy from carbohydrate, 12% to 15% protein and 25% to 30% fat.

P.S. Get Fast Basketball Recipes at Athlete Recipes.com

Sorry part two of my definitions of a professional basketball agent is a week late :(. I have been a little bit busy with new plans and additions to this website.

During the late part of June a player contacted me about a country where they had received an offer to play this season. The player wanted to confirm this because it came between deciding to quit a current steady job to play overseas. The player had to make decisions pretty fast. So I acted as fast as I could because I had a reliable contact in that country they inquired about. Well I informed the player that I would check if that basketball offer that was received actually true. My contact came back saying that the team had no plans on signing an American of that type. So I said hmm, let me check again. So I tried to contact again during my trip overseas and they in fact signed a player from the home country. During all of my checking and asking my contacts, the player contacted me again asking if it seemed right that this would happen. The agent that was working for them wanted a fast decision and had a contract ready for them to sign with an actual team. The player at this time was a bit frantic as anyone would be when you have to decide to quit a steady job and take a risk to play overseas that is not always guaranteed.

So the player was smart and contacted another player that this agent was representing to see what this agent was all about. The player was told by the other person that the same thing had happened to them. Now this seems a bit odd, but very sketchy. After little more investigating and calling around the player found that this agent was in fact a scam artist of some sort. The agent wrote up their own contracts and made the players to believe that they were going to play overseas. The player did not like this and took action by reporting the agent to the IRS and other reputable companies in that state in the USA.

I hate to see this happen because I don’t think its fair that anyone should be taken advantage of in this manner. But this player did not back up and took action so that it would NOT happen to others. This story is the inspiration from that player’s story and first bad experience of basketball agents. I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone and therefore if anyone knows of any agents that have scammed you please write in the comments your story or the company so that other players can avoid this.

I would appreciate truth and honesty because it wouldn’t be nice to call out people just because you didn’t get a particular job. But any agents that have scammed you, took your money or so forth please post it below. It is appreciated!!

Until next time, I hope to post a very positive agent story

I am surveying because there have been a number of request about how to send out a tape and getting people to see your game. I can’t stress this enough but only you can determine your success better than anyone else.

With the current technologies it is very easy to convert your vhs games to dvd and send it off to many places almost cost free. Why? If you pay for the hardware and software it will pay itself off in no time. No worries about converting from NTSC to PAL (european standard). Its amazing more people haven’t done this for themselves. Paying someone over and over again can get expensive. To send a cd/dvd to europe is very cheap compared to vhs. Especially if you have to overnight it.

I am planning a big video tutorial for everyone on the mailing list. This will cover everything from setting it up and sending it off. You might not want to miss this

View the players portal page to vote

I usually don’t watch a lot television because I’m mainly stuck to my computer but last week there was a piece on Access Hollywood about Oprah Winfrey’s big secret. The secret was announced today in the season debut. It was a BIG SECRET.

She presented all of her guest to the Oprah Winfrey Show a brand new car. See it for yourself: Oprah’s Secret

I only wish I could do something BIG like that for other people. I guess this is start with this website. Touching people from the heart for me is one of the biggest things I value in life. Whether its this website or something not related to the internet, I will try my best. With a lot of cash like Oprah I can only imagine my goals to make other people happy and life rewarding by giving.

Oprah is simply one of the best role models and icon’s in society today.

Soon I will be unleashing something on smaller scale (:D) but it will help everyone!

Tryouts for the Dallas Diesel Touring Teams will be held September 18th.

Location: Fretz Recreation Center
(Beltline & Hillcrest) 6950 Beltline Rd - Dallas, TX 75254

Time: 1pm

Registration fee:
$25 (before 9/14/04)
$45 (after 9/14/04)
Registration forms can be downloaded from www.dallasdiesel.com

Send to:

Dallas Diesel Basketball Club
P.O. Box 1622
Rowlett, TX 75030
www.dallasdiesel.com

So today I found a link that lead me to a Finnish Language Class in the Washington DC area and I’m so happy. I have some pretty good friends from Finland and I loved the country ever since my first visit in 1999.

I have learned the art of communication and networking by trying to learn each language that I am around. I have to admit it has been very hard for me to take the plunge to learn the Finnish language. It is very difficult but thank goodness I have a great understanding for some of the words. I hope I progress fast in the class :)!

Wish me luck

The Reno,Nevada based Freedom USA Womens National Basketball touring team will hold a National Mini Camp on the weekend of October 29-31 in Reno at the 24 Hour Fitness Reno Sport South Facility

To find out information or to request a packet please call (775)846-8303 or email: spiritbasketball@hotmail.com

Visit the teams webpage at:
www.leaguelineup.com/freedomwomenshoops