By Peter Kelly


Engaging in sports is necessary for anyone who wants to maintain fitness and have a good health. Since participating in sports has several individual and social benefits, it is laudable to seek ways on how to improve your performance. Some of the benefits of sport participation include relief from stress and depression, development of motor skills and goal setting habits.

To increase sport participation means to increase the benefits that one can enjoy by participating in sporting activities. One of the ways to increase sport performance is by hydrating your body with just the right amount of fluid. During sports, it is required to take between 550 and 800 ml of fluid per hour. Taking more than this is dangerous and can lead to serious shortage of sodium in the body. Shortage of sodium can lead to coma and even death.

Energy is another thing the body has to replace during sports. The body needs to replace calories but not as much as what you are burning out. Trying to replace the exact amount of calories you are burning can lead to vomiting and nausea. Although body needs vary, maintaining calorie intake to 300 calories per hour is ideal. Some athletes may go below or slightly above this depending on their weight.

Do not also take simple sugars while exercising. Simple sugars are also known as unrefined sugars and they are not very healthy for the body. You can find them in carbonated drinks, sweets, gums and processed foods like pastries. It is better to consume complex carbohydrates which include foods such as wheat bread and corn.

You are also expected to take protein when replacing calories lost during exercises. As a matter of fact, this is what the body does without your approval so if you fail to take some proteins, you will be at the danger of allowing your body do it automatically by feeding on the muscles. Recommended proteins are soy products and whey protein. Whey protein is more suitable for use after exercise.

Athletes also need calcium during and after exercises. The role of calcium in the body is not just for building strong bones but it also improves contraction of the muscles. To get adequate amount of calcium, you may decide to feed on milk, soy foods, sardines, orange juice and yogurt. There are also calcium supplements for those who react to dairy foods.

Athletes must also learn how to take adequate rest. Some of the athletes in the world who have consistently won medals have said that sleep is one way by which their exercises can be absorbed by the body. Resting after training is a nice thing to do. An athlete who sleeps the normal eight hours before a sport can take better decisions during the main event.

If you want to avoid injuries in the field and also improve your immune system, then you must learn how to sleep well. Resting before a match is good because your nerves relax and your coordination improves. You will be able to take good decisions when playing and also prevent injuries.




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