22/06/2021
[EDUCATION] HIERARCHY OF RECOVERY
Sleep: We have all heard the sleep is important, but how important is it and how much do we need. In athletes, sleep can be argued to be the most important element to recovery. Studies have shown up to 10 hours of sleep is required for strength/power athletes.
Hydration: Water maintains blood volume, regulates body temperature and is involved in muscle contractions. According to Sports Cardiology BC, A loss of sweat equal to 2% of body weight causes a noticeable decrease of physical and mental performance. Losses of 5% or more of body weight during physical activities may decrease the capacity for work by roughly 30%. The needs of water greatly depend on the amount of exercise the athlete is involved in. Water is your friend, have a water bottle and drink it through-out the day.
Protein Intake: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for athletes, depending on training. Because they are building muscle, power athletes require a higher level of protein consumption than endurance athletes.
Macro/Caloric Intake: Your body requires carbs, proteins and fats to operate. As power athletes, carbs act as your primary fuel source, proteins act as your building and repairing nutrient and fats support hormonal functions and energy delivery. If you are under feeding in one of these categories you are leaving performance on the table. If you are looking for more personalized information on this we suggest getting in touch with a nutritionist who can work with your specific needs. FUEL has some of the best.
Micro-Nutrient Intake: These are your vitamins and minerals. In short, eat your veggies. These have powerful impacts through-out the body in maintaining good health and supporting performance. Eat lots of different fruits and vegetables throughout the day.
Manual Therapy: This includes things like stretching, mobility, physical therapy protocols and things of this nature. Good stretching practices are important (4-6 days a week) but do not replace the work of a professional rehab accessment.