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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Why do so many athletes use asthma inhalers?

Posted November 26th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

Drugs called beta-2 agonists, such as salbutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline, open the closed lungs of asthmatics and help them to breathe. They also increase the amount of fat in the bloodstream to increase energy sources of exercising muscles, help to preserve the muscles’ store of sugar, and help muscles to contract with more force. The common inhaled asthma medication called albuterol has been shown to improve athletic performance.

These asthma medications are potent stimulants, so they could cause irregular heart beats. It is illegal for Olympic competitors to take albuterol pills. However, asthmatics need their medications, so the Olympic medical committee allows asthmatics to take these same medications by inhaler, provided that a doctor informs the Olympic committee beforehand that the athlete is an asthmatic and is taking this medication. Needless to say, there are unprecedented numbers of asthmatics registered with the Olympic committee and other authorities in sports that monitor drug use. Read the rest of this entry »

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What causes exercise-induced asthma? Can I compete in sports?

Posted November 23rd, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

People with asthma can usually compete in sports at a very high level when they know how to do it. All people who cough and wheeze when they exercise have asthma at other times also. Exercise-induced asthma means that you start to cough and wheeze 7 to 15 minutes after you start to exercise or immediately after you finish exercising. It’s not caused by exercise, it’s caused by breathing dry cold air. That’s why running is far more likely to cause an asthma attack than swimming. Read the rest of this entry »

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Energy Drinks: To drink or not to drink? That is the question . . .

Posted November 17th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jonathan Faccone

Section: Nutrition, Hydration, Health & Fitness

Energy drinks are quickly becoming our favorite weapon for dealing with our fast-paced and stressful lives. They are convenient, work well and can even taste great. As a matter of fact, Red Bull and other energy drinks have become a true savior for those among us who dislike the taste of coffee, but who also could use that extra boost from caffeine. With all of the “natural” ingredients that the energy drink companies have added to their beverages - won’t we gain energy and become healthier at the same time? Unfortunately . . . (Brace Yourself!) . . . the answer is . . . NO!

Suzanne Farrell, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, believes that there is no substantial evidence proving that the ingredients in energy drinks actually do what the manufacturers advertise them to do. In addition, the caffeine and sugar intakes from these products can be detrimental to your health. Read the rest of this entry »

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Caffeine and Endurance

Posted November 16th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Running & Training, Nutrition, Health & Fitness

We have reported in the past, that it might be best to hold off on the coffee, or other sources of caffeine, until your after your run. However, we have posted this article, hesitantly, to at least inform you of the recent studies that have found caffeine to increase endurance. Just remember that although caffeine can produce the positive effects discussed below, there are many possible dangers and moderation is key.

[Studies have shown] that caffeinated drinks increase endurance during long events such as a marathon, triathlon [or cycling events]. A study from the University of Birmingham in England shows that caffeine helps the body use more carbohydrates from drinks that you take during exercise (Journal of Applied Physiology, June 2006). Those who took sugared drinks with caffeine were able to absorb and use 26 percent more of the ingested sugar than those who took the same drinks without caffeine. Read the rest of this entry »

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Caffeine and Running: Hold Off on That Cup Until After Your Run

Posted October 29th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Afton Cohen

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Nutrition, Hydration, Training Tips, Health & Fitness

Coffee. The aroma, the warmth, that first thought of so many in the morning.

Coffee beans, among others things like cocoa beans, cola nuts, and tea leaves all contain caffeine and are found in many common products.

According to the American Council on Exercise’s (ACE) Guide for Fitness Professionals:

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making some people feel more awake and giving the others the jitters.

In affecting the body as such, it seems sensible to think that drinking coffee or consuming another caffeinated product would enhance one’s ability to perform athletically. However, there are many inherent consequences of this thinking (which I will discuss in detail later on in this post). Read the rest of this entry »

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