Energy Drinks or Stimulant Drinks: What You Need To Know
What is the difference between a sports/electrolyte drink (one that contains carbohydrates and electrolytes) and an "Energy” drink? Look closely at the ingredients. If the drink is advertised as an Energy Drink, then it is probably contains a hefty dose of stimulants. Keep in mind that stimulants are prohibited as a category in competition (except for caffeine and synephrine, both of which are in the WADA Monitoring program). Stimulants could cause a positive anti-doping test. Stimulant drinks are not limited to what you find in bottles or cans in shelves, but they can also come in powder form that you mix up yourself. Physicians speak out on dangers of energy drinks. The American Academy of Pediatrics has discouraged the use of energy drinks in children and adolescents. Even caffeine can cause neurological and cardiovascular problems, and should be avoided.
For Further Information, please click link to seet the article and other related articles on USA Swimming website.
https://www.usaswimming.org/news/2018/01/30/energy-drinks-what-you-need-to-know
Sports Nutrition For Swimmers
Nutrition for swimmers to help with performance. https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/camps/national-select-camp/sports-nutrition-for-swimmers.pdf
Fueling for competition https://websitedevsa.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/camps/national-select-camp/fueling-for-comp-factsheet-2020-final.pdf
Recovery Nutrition https://websitedevsa.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/camps/national-select-camp/recovery-factsheet-2020-final.pdf
Immune Function https://websitedevsa.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/nutritiondocuments/immune-function-factsheet.pdf
You may read or hear about a lot of different nutrition “rules,” especially for athletes. Recently, a lot of those rules and taboos are around processed foods. However, healthy athletes require a lot of fuel to maintain their energy for peak performance, and often, processed foods play a role in ensuring that your athlete has the calories they need before, during, and after competition. Here, TrueSport Expert Stephanie Miezin, MS, RD, CSSD, the Director of Nutrition for the NWSL team, KC Current, breaks down the differences between unprocessed, processed, and ultra-processed foods, as well as how they fit into an athlete’s diet. https://truesport.org/nutrition/should-you-avoid-processed-foods/
Mental Health and Wellness
Mental training -- along with mental health and wellness -- are key to performing at your best. Check out some articles below. There are tips for mindfulness, visualization, staying confident, cultivating grit and more. Learn what you can do to get your mind in the game.
https://www.usaswimming.org/parents/popular-resources/mental-health-and-wellness
https://swimswam.com/mental-health-for-swimmers/
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/8/4/mental-health-educational-resources.aspx
