Energy athletes

Metabolism aeeomplishes, among other things, the conversion of food energy into the energy of motion. Regulation of metabolism allows the abrupt transition from a state of rest to the breath-taking power and grace of athletic competition. 

The total number of calories a person needs each day is the sum of the basal requirement plus the energy used for physical activities, as shown in Table 29.1. A relatively inactive person needs about 30% above basal requirements per day, a lightly active person needs about 50% above basal, and a very active person such as an athlete or construction worker may need 100% above basal requirements. Some endurance athletes in ultradistance events can use as many as 10,000 keal/day above the basal level. Each day that your caloric intake is above what you use, fat is stored in your body and your weight rises. Each day that your caloric intake is below whatyou use, fat in your body is metabolized and your weight drops. 

The lactic acid is taken up by mitochondria in muscle cells and burned as fuel. Athletes can exercise with more intensity and for longer periods than most people not because they break down lactic acid faster, as previously thought, but because their muscles contain more mitochondria that absorb more lactic acid, allowing the muscles to produce more energy. 

The massive value of A He for glucose explains why athletes consume glucose tablets to provide them with energy. 

This value of 20 kJ/L O2 can be very useful for example, it can be used to calculate that a top-class marathon runner requires oxidation of 5 g of carbohydrate every minute during the race, provided that no other fuel is used. The athlete takes up 4 litres of oxygen each minute, which is equivalent to 4 x 20, or 80 kJ each minute as 1 g of glucose releases 16 kJ of energy, the glucose or glycogen used is 80/16 or 5 g each minute. 

When amphetamine-like substances are misused to enhance athletic performance (doping), there is a risk of dangerous physical overexertion. Because of the absence of a sense of fatigue, a drugged athlete may be able to mobilize ultimate energy reserves. In extreme situations, cardiovascular failure may result (B). 

The use of honey in athletic nutrition is also documented. Lloyd Percival of Sports College in Canada, from the results of a four-year study, has no hesitation in recommending honey for athletes and those interested in maintaining a high level of energy.29 White lists a number of other sports30 wherein honey has been used with beneficial results. There are constant reports in the bee literature advo-... 

Our bodies utilize proteins in many ways. Repair, a source of energy, and even as raw materials for hormones and anti-oxidants. With all this going on, it s no wonder why hard training athletes need more protein than the average couch potato. 

Despite these issues, creatine remains well-known as a nutritional, performance-enhancing supplement used by athletes to improve high-intensity muscle endurance and performance. Bodybuilders and weightlifters supplement with creatine to bulk up muscles, and athletes involved in team sports train with creatine to increase their energy for sprints and other short and intense muscular tasks. Statistics show that the use of creatine by adolescent and adult athletes is growing. Yet research is still largely inconclusive on exactly how... 

Endorsements from popular athletes often spell success for a product. Companies like to have the support of famous athletes because consumers, especially teenagers, often want to emulate their favorite athletes. They want to buy the shoes that Michael Jordan wears or drink the energy drink Brett Favre likes. The NFL ban on ephedrine means that NFL players and teams cannot endorse products containing ephedrine or companies that sell or distribute those products. Many hope this ban will stop some teens from buying ephedra products. 

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