What Sports Supplement Is For You?
From fish oil to creatine and everything in-between, when there are so many supplements out there it can get confusing! Many of us simply want to know, “What’s the best sports supplement in terms of performance enhancement?” Here’s a quick rundown on a few options:
Looking to improve your performance?
You do not need to be a hardcore bodybuilder or a marathoner to take a sports supplement to enhance performance.
Whether you are a jogger, hiker, amateur cyclist…etc. a sports supplement can help you reach your goals. Honestly, no one wants to spend long hours exercising without doing it as efficiently as possible, right?
That being said, any athlete should take note of the following supplements if they want to improve their performance and reach their goals.
Caffeine:
This is probably the most widely used sports supplement. Performance research shows that caffeine is an ergogenic acid used in sports for decades (if not longer). Most of us use caffeine daily, some tend to go overboard with coffee while others consume caffeine to increase their alertness and their ability to work faster with rapt attention.
That’s because this supplement can improve performance while exercising or on the sports field (football, rugby,etc).
It also increases fat oxidation and is known to stimulate the release of endorphins while one is engrossed in rigorous physical activity. Likewise, it’s been found to cut post-workout recovery pain/discomfort by 50%!
Protein:
As the intensity of your training heightens, recovery becomes very important. Here, protein is helpful because it’s necessary for recovery and growth.
Make note that protein is seldom used as a supplement during activities that are of short duration like short races or a one-on-one basketball game, but plays a significant role in helping you maintain your muscle mass and also repairs/constructs it.
Fish Oil:
Fish oil is an important agent in the healing process because of its anti-inflammatory properties. EPA and DHA found in the fish oil help to lessen the muscle soreness which you can experience after a rigorous workout or an intense training session.
The omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil is important since it helps you burn fat, recover faster, and helps you train harder!
Beta-Alanine:
This supplement comes in handy especially if you are into obstacle races like Tough Mudder. In this kind of race where you will encounter many hurdles in the form of walls, ladders, and ditches to jump across. Beta Alanine is great for enhancing your performance and endurance!
Beta-Alanine has been proven to expand intramuscular carnosine content, thereby boosting the body’s capability to diminish hydrogen ions and hamper the level of fatigue.
Creatine Monohydrate:
This supplement increases the phosphocreatine stores in your muscles and permitting rapid regeneration of ATP; which is the body’s source of energy.
This is hugely beneficial for any kind of physical activity where a rapid energy source is required and is a great sports supplement to help you increase your strength.
No one would like to run out of energy when they are climbing huge walls or jumping over hurdles. Studies have shown that a good creatine supplement is ideal for sports like football, rugby, soccer, and hockey.
Wrap-Up
When it comes down to it, no one can pinpoint which is the ideal sports supplement for you to enhance your performance.
It depends on a variety of factors like your goals, your body type, your sport, etc.
That being said, before consuming any supplement consult your doctor first and ask them their recommendations.
- Which Sports Supplement Enhances Performance the Most? - January 25, 2016
