Resources for Better Health in Sports (02)

The Science Behind Endurox
This column contains a review of clinical trials conducted in exercise physiology laboratories by researchers on the topic of Endurox. It is a summary of the research conducted on ciwujia, a natural root grown in the northeast section of China. Ciwujia has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue and bolster the immune system. The root has intrigued researchers because of anecdotal reports about its use by mountain climbers, who claimed ciwujia has improved work performance at high altitudes and low oxygen conditions. Ciwujia is marketed by Pacific Health Laboratories under the trademark Endurox. There is some technical information here, but it's valuable if you're taking and using Endurox to optimize your sports performance.

Heart Rate Monitors for Endurance Training
Every athlete should have a heart rate monitor to help them achieve their best training results. Heart rate monitors (HRMs) revolutionized the endurance sport coaching business. HRMS are responsible for a new accuracy and specificity in coach/athlete communications that's not possible by simply describing workouts in terms of RPE (relative perceived exertion) or 'feel,' according to this article, which can help an athlete find their targeted heart rate. The monitor simply keeps track of numbers, indicating whether a triathlete needs to push harder, maintain speed and strength or slow down.

Buyer's Test for Heart Rate Monitors
This guide can help athletes purchase a heart rate monitor. It discusses what features you need in a heart rate monitor, how your needs will grow and vary and choosing a heart rate monitor in your budget. The basic heart rate monitor is called a "continuous read" monitor, while the second class of monitors are zones monitors. The third type monitor is the most sophisticated and they are called "downloadable" monitors. This article also has information about making the commitment to wear a monitor, as well as heart rate monitor maintenance and repair, as well as choosing features and setting up a budget.

Endurance and Optimal Performance
As an athlete, it's good to learn about food basics, since food is the fuel that helps you succeed. For the recreational or competitive athlete, the body must be fueled optimally to exercise effectively. To maintain or improve strength, speed and stamina, you have to eat adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrate and fat. This article teaches athletes food group basics, and gives them valuable sports nutrition information for how much protein to eat depending on the workout.