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Sports Drinks – Will It Improve Work Out Performance Of Police Recruits - 7 Myths and True Facts Revealed

By David Wehrenberg

Staying Hydrated is essential for performing at your best during workouts and understanding the myths and true facts about sport drinks which can signifcally help your performance. In this lesson you will get 7 myths and facts about sport drinks often reffered as energy drinks.

Myth #1 Drinking caffeine is a great and safe way to boost energy before workouts or physical activity.

True Fact #1
Most energy drinks contain caffine plus a high concentration of sugar, such as Jolt or Redbull. Many drinks contain supplements that you are unaware of which can cause side effects such as stomach distress during exercise, aniexty, jitters, nausea, irritability, increased heart rate. There no evidence caffine has positive effect during short intense exercise.

Myth #2
Sport drinks will cause weight gain due to high calories and not allow you to burn calories during physical training.

True Fact # 2
When you work out you burn sugar calories first that are in your muscles, after that energy is burned from fat stores. A drink like Gatorade contains only 50 calories per 8 oz serving which is less than same serving of skim milk so sport drink will not cause you to increase fat.

Myth #3
Drinking Sport drinks with protein during activity improves performance.

True Fact # 3
Recent research indicated that sport drinks that contain protein during or before exercise does not help performance and has no benefits. In fact protein in sports drink slows gastric empting and cause a nasty chalky taste, which will cause you not to drink and stay hydrated. It is always better to take in protein after exercise because science has shown protein helps with muscle synthesis (repair and rebuilding of muscles).

Myths # 4
Water is all you lose when you sweat.

True Fact # 4
If that was true your sweat wouldn’t taste salty and police recruits and athletes wouldn’t cramp up. The fact is sweat contains salt, chloride, potassium and magnesium which is essential for proper muscle function. A good sport drink will replenish all of the electrolytes mentioned, by hydrating the body to prevent heat illness such as muscle cramps.

Myth #5
Drinking a sport drinks can cause dental problems.

True Fact # 5
There has not been any evidence that sport drinks causes tooth decay. In fact staying properly hydrated will produce saliva which protects the teeth by creating a barrier from the acids we consume.

Myth # 6
Sport drinks will cause upset stomach during work outs or physical activity.

True Facts # 6
It really depends on the type of drink. If you drink something that has ginseng or brand that you are not sure about its ingredients I would say there is a good chance of an upset stomach. A drink like Gatorade is designed to prevent up set stomachs, it gives you the right amount of nutrients you need.

Myth # 7
You only need a sports drink if you are working out more than an hour.

True Fact # 7
If you’re someone who sweats profusely then I would drink a sport drink during any work out period. It will also determine what environment you’re training in, are you out side in the heat and sun, in which, you will sweat a lot or inside with cold air conditioning where maybe you don’t sweat quite as much. You know your body so you will have to determine what is best for you. But you must remember to stay hydrated. Make sure you drink fluids through out the day.

Which sport drink should you buy? As you can tell, I prefer Gatorade,(I am not affiliated with Gatorade at all, I like the taste and the science behind their drinks is top notch), Gatorade recommends 17-20 oz, Two to three hours before exercise, 28-48oz during physical training and 20oz for every pound loss post training for two hours. Source: Gatorade sport science institute, myth and facts

I hope these recommendations will help you perform better during your physical fitness training. Should you need help let me know. I encourage you to seek the help of a certified athletic trainer.

About the Author:

David Wehrenberg is a certified Athletic Trainer and Former Police Officer located in Maryland, District of Columbia, Northern Virginia. His website is http://www.policefitnessbootcamp.com