Fuel up while you're on the go
Shotz Energy Gels are the ideal food for any and every type of sport. Whether you are a serious athlete or recreational the Shotz Energy Gels can benefit anyone looking for a quick source of energy.
When to use Shotz Energy Gels is dependent on what type of activity you are doing and at what intensity. In training, for instance, ideally you would consume a Shotz Energy Gel every 1 hour. For competition ideally you would consume a Shotz Energy Gel 10 minutes before the start and every 30 – 40 minutes during.
What type of sport do you do?
Running/Cycling/Triathlon
No matter what distance you prefer each of these sports requires a lot of energy to get you from the start line to the finish. Getting to the start line and in good form requires a fair amount of sacrifice. What is interesting is that for most of you competition is made up of only 2 – 3% and training takes up 96 – 97%. So making sure you follow a sound nutrition strategy in your training will allow you to ensure you can benefit from each session. Using Shotz Energy Gels during your training sessions will provide both energy for a solid workout, plus lessen the requirement on recovery.
For all you mountain bikers keep in mind that for your sport, particularly in down-hilling and single track, there is a significant amount of energy required by the brain to process information in super quick time. The brain relies heavily on a continuous supply of glucose via the bloodstream to assist in decision making. Low glucose/energy levels will impact heavily on how quickly you can react. Even the slightest mistake can put you in the dirt. Packing some Shotz Gels for your next assault on the trails is a smart move.
Racquet sports/Ball sports/Golf
Apart from the energy used up having to run around, any sport that involves hand/eye co-ordination and skill and decision making places even more reliance on our energy stores. The brain already uses a whopping 70% of our available blood glucose. In these types of sports our reliance on the brain to process information to perform a particular task is increased and therefore taxes our energy reserves faster.
As most of us can attest to when we start getting fatigued we tend to make more unforced errors. The brain is heavily reliant on glucose for energy, consuming Shotz Energy Gels during the game will ensure the active muscles are energised and your mind is on the job.
Boxing/Martial Arts
Not too much different from the sports above although I would prefer missing a backhand shot down the line, or missing a goal, as opposed to wearing a left hook flush on the jaw. There is a massive amount of energy required for your sport. Maintaining your energy levels is good practice to ensure your active muscles are energised, your brain is receiving the correct fuel to function at its optimum level and keep you off the canvas. Because these sports are generally indoors with very little air flow there is the potential for significant fluid loss, making sure you are drinking regularly to replace your sweat loss is good practice.
Motor Sports
The sheer logistics of consuming food and fluid on the go in your sport is near impossible. Keep in mind the temperatures you are exposed to, the protective clothing which inhibits evaporation of sweat (the body's natural cooling system) and heart rates and energy expenditure to match the speed you are travelling. Given you have to process information at phenomenal speed, ensuring you have energy rich food to fuel the brain is super important in your sport. Minimising the amount of mistakes while piloting a race car or bike at high speed is paramount not only to your performance but your safety.
Pre-event and post event energy/ hydration strategies are the key to performing at your peak in these types of sports.