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Predicting oral-respiratory symptoms of illness in highly trained endurance athletes Richard Taylor Coventry University, School of Biomolecular and Health Sciences, Coventry, UK. Why?. Alberto Salazar developed 12 colds in 12 months while overtraining for the 1984 Olympic Marathon
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Predicting oral-respiratory symptoms of illness in highly trained endurance athletesRichard TaylorCoventry University, School of Biomolecular and Health Sciences, Coventry, UK
Why? Alberto Salazar developed 12 colds in 12 months while overtraining for the 1984 Olympic Marathon • ‘My immune system was totally shot as a result of my training’ Ed Clancy World Champs 2011 • "Ed's got a bit of after-viral fatigue, he's still suffering from it.”
Increased risk after competition & high intensity trainingPeters (2004)
Links between immune function and infectionNeville et al. (2008)
Aims of the research • To identify an effective and simple way for athletes and coaches to predict incidences of illness. • Identify if any particular type of training increases athletes’ susceptibility to illness.
Research • 12 months collection • Training diaries (daily) • Saliva (fortnightly) • 12 athletes of Coventry Godiva Harriers • 163 saliva sample observations. • 16 incidences of URS
Research Findings • No links between incidence URS; • Training mileage (mpw) • Type of training (increase in interval or competitions) • Perceptions of recovery and fatigue
What does this mean? • If saliva volume decreases your risk of URS increases • Unable to identify any specific type of training which increases the risk of URS
Recommendations • Record; • Daily training (distance, type, rate difficulty) • Include feelings of fatigue, sleep quality & stress • Monitor weekly your normal healthy; • Waking heart rate • Timed saliva volume (g) • More than 20% from normal indicates an risk of URS
Strategies to reduce your chances of illness What your mum would tell you: • Wash your hands regularly (anti-septic wash) • Clean dry clothing after training/competition • Regular & consistent fluid intake (all day) • Eat within 30min of exercise (CHO & Pro) • Avoid/limit changes to regular daily activities • Take 1000mg Vit. C. and Echinacea tablets at first symptoms
Strategies to reduce your chances of illness More pro-active measures: • Reduce your exposure to large unusual groups • Avoid/limit areas which are busy, hot and have poor air circulation • Be cautious what you touch in communal areas (door handles, hand rails etc.) When travelling; • Use your own towels • Avoid/limit shared cutlery & glasses • Chew gum during flights (stimulates saliva flow)
Nutritional Recommendations Macronutrient intake; • CHO (1g per Kg of BW) within 30min of exercise • Fat (Natural sources) • Protein 1.7g per Kg a day. Micronutrient intake; • Iron, zinc and vitamins A, E, B6 and B12 are particularly important • Consumption of megadoses of vitamins and minerals is not advised. • Excess intakes of iron, zinc, vitamin E can impair immune function. Fluid intake; • Help balance reduced saliva production when training
Antioxidants • ‘immune-boosting’ supplements • Vitamins • Glutamine • Zinc • Probiotics • Echinacea • Limited evidence at present • Avoid scatter gun approach
Make your own recovery drink • CHO (Caloreen) = 1g per Kg of BW • Protein (Hydrolised Whey) = 20g • L-Glutamine (10g) • Colostrum (10g) • Leucine (10g)
Summary; what can I do after today? • Training diary detail • Record your ‘normal’ • Waking heart rate (bpm) • Timed saliva volume (g) • Post race & training recovery
Thank-you for listening Please ask any questions? rtaylor.sportscience@gmail.com