The connectivity of injuries – Ian Craig
Muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints are often viewed as mechanical structures; if injuries occur, it’s just unlucky. Ian Craig looks at how to nourish our injuries. Connective tissue networks in relation to injuries A decade ago, unfortunately, after my time as an exercise specialist, there was almost an awakening and the start of a mini-revolution […]
Nutritional considerations for the vegan athlete – Simone do Carmo
Veganism is becoming increasingly popular among athletes who believe it can improve their health and help them succeed in their sport. Simone do Carmo takes us through some important nutritional considerations and shares practical guidelines for athletes who have adopted or are transitioning to this dietary approach. Veganism is taking the sporting world by storm. […]
Bone broth: what’s old is new again for athletes – Rachel Jesson
Despite being around for centuries, bone broth has become a new food trend for athletes. Rachel Jesson explains the benefits of bone broth and why it should be part of every athlete’s nutritional regime. There seems to be growing interest in ancestral foods and a move towards the diets and habits that sustained our predecessors, […]
Exercise-induced gastrointestinal distress: Can a low-fodmap diet help? – Simone do Carmo
Exercise practitioners are thankfully becoming more aware of gastrointestinal distress in athletes, and various strategies have been suggested. Simone do Carmo investigates the therapeutic usefulness of the low-FODMAP diet. Despite months of training and careful preparation, a bout of gastrointestinal distress on race day can wreak havoc on an athlete’s performance and subsequent recovery. The […]
The functionality of energy – Ian Craig
Rather than thinking of energy in terms of macronutrient contributions, let’s understand more about how it is made. Ian Craig unearths three important areas of functional energy provision. Energy is the cornerstone of every good athlete’s armoury: having vibrant energy means coping with tough training sessions and racing with passion; to be without high energy […]
Iron: The original performance limiting nutrient – Simone do Carmo
In standard sports nutrition practices, nutritional deficiencies are not readily acknowledged, apart from iron. Simone do Carmo digs deeply into the iron and athletic performance literature. Iron is an essential micronutrient in elite and recreational athletes’ diets. It is key to the formation of haemoglobin in red blood cells, the protein that is responsible for […]
Thyroid dysfunction in sport – Ian Craig
Recent revelations that certain high-profile athletes have been taking thyroid medication have made us question whether athletes might suffer from thyroid problems and the impacts had on performance. Ian Craig investigates. In August of 2012, I watched two scintillating performances by British hero Mo Farrah as he strode to victory in the 5,000 and 10,000m […]
The changing face of sports nutrition – Ian Craig
It is no longer acceptable to follow quantitative sports nutrition guidelines without an understanding of individuality. By combining new scientific discoveries with old traditional practices, Ian Craig believes that you can ultimately nourish your athletes. During my time as editor of the Functional Sports Nutrition magazine, between 2010 and 2022, I witnessed an enormous change […]