In
the developed world, sports management has gone beyond just camping
athletes and sweat - producing trainings for imparting winning
strategies. More often than not, application of diet to enhance
athletic performance is as important as tactical training. As
a matter of fact, sports have gone scientific that diet is now
used as vital winning strategy in countries like China, United
States and Kenya.
For
instance, in situations where competing athletes are matched tactically,
endurance may prove to be the cutting edge. And scientific studies
have confirmed that apart from the physiological make- up of each
athlete, diet also plays a vital role in promoting endurance and
faster muscle recuperation in competitive sports. In other words,
there are athletic performances enhancing diet rather than performance
enhancing drugs, which have made sporting achievements, particularly
in individual events rarely a product of natural ability. In the
last 30 years, carbohydrate 'sports gels' have become a popular
means of providing energy to athletes, but new scientific studies
in the United States have indicated that honey may give athletes
decisive edge in terms of energy and recuperation.
A
research study group led by Dr. Richard Kreider, Director of the
Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory at the University of
Memphis, confirmed that honey is the most effective form of carbohydrate
to engender greater endurance during a workout or a race. Dr.
Kreider said the lower glycemic index of honey would be an important
consideration for sports enthusiasts, because the study revealed
that the common sports gels such as dextrose, maltodextrin or
sucrose cause fatigue more quickly due to their higher glycemic
and corresponding release of insulin and faster muscle glycogen
utilization.
In
the first of three - phase trials, blood glucose, insulin concentration,
glycemic index and the insulin response index were determined
in 71 study subjects. After an eight-hour fast, the subjects were
given one of the seven gel packets. The packets contained dextrose,
sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, and honey and power gel. Another
research study by the same group also confirmed that honey boosts
post- work recuperation and favour better blood sugar maintenance
after exercise. The study involved a group of 39 weight-trained
athletes both male and female. They all underwent an intensive
weight lifting workout and then immediately consumed a protein
supplement with sugar, maltodextrin or honey as the carbohydrate
source. The results showed that only honey group maintained optimal
blood sugar levels throughout the two hours following the workout.
Additionally,
subjects that took honey showed favourable changes in a hormone
ratio that indicates a positive muscle recuperative state Dr.
Kreider added that the study data suggest that honey functions
well in all of the aspects associated with post-workout recuperation
and energy repletion. In addition to promoting muscle recuperation
and glycogen (carbohydrates stored in muscle) restoration, the
study group said honey seems well suited to sustain favourable
blood sugar concentration after training. The third and final
phase of the honey research as it pertains to endurance cycling
is expected to be available by mid 2001.Based on these studies,
honey sports gel are now being produced commercially for the use
of athletes in the United States. Dr. Susan Percival of the University
of Florida's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition on
honey also confirmed that it is a source of concentrated and quick
energy.
But
beyond its ability to give athletes competitive edge in terms
of energy, endurance and faster muscle recuperation, honey also
promotes faster healing of bone fracture, dislocation and other
forms of injuries, which sports men and women, are prone to. Given
honey's unique features as food and drug, this 'nature gift' can
be adopted as an inseparable part of our athletes' menu. For instance,
it can be used as food supplement, drug for effective management
of injuries and for energy boost before, during and after trainings
and competitions. As we search for new approach to sport development
with high prospects of winning laurels in continental and global
sports meets honey is one vital product that can be used to give
Nigerian athletes the "extra push" that separates winners from
losers in competitive sports.
Better
still, it is cost effective because it is available locally. As
a matter of fact, Nigerian honey is one of the best in the world,
especially with its high organic elements (the real power base
of honey). As a non- governmental organisation with focus on the
protection of bees to ensure the wellness of humanity we can help
fashion out honey - based diet and therapies for our athletes.
This is the area in which BCP can offer its little contribution
to sports development that will put Nigeria back on the part of
winning streak.
