Hockey

Hockey requires a number of specific physical attributes such as strength, power, speed and endurance. Athletes must look to compliment their diverse physical requirements with a diet that encourages energy production and physical recovery. Having the correct nutritional plan for hockey can lead to greater gains from training and improved performance in matches. If the body is not correctly fuelled for exercise and the various physical requirements of hockey, it is likely to become prematurely fatigued and unable to compete at the highest level. Fuelling the body correctly can also increase a players' ability to produce both fine and gross motor skills helping them maintain technique and skill levels.

Energy to play

Carbohydrates are essential to fuel almost every type of activity and will help keep muscle glycogen concentrations high. When concentrations are low performance will be negatively affected. It has been shown that insufficient amounts of carbohydrates can also affect co-ordination as the Central Nervous System becomes fatigued. Tri-Carb is an extremely effective carbohydrate drink which can be consumed before, during and after exercise to great effect.

Fuel to aid recovery and help growth

Most hockey specific training sessions will bring the body into a state of fatigue in order to meet the required training effect and improve fitness. Pushing the body beyond its normal effort levels will illicit greater physical efficiency. The body will adapt becoming fitter and will be able to produce the same amounts of work for less effort. From a nutritional perspective, the body needs certain nutrients to elicit recovery; in particular protein and carbohydrates. MP Max Meal Replacement combines protein, carbohydrates and a number of other excellent ingredients to help promote recovery after exercise.

Improving performance

Once the basic components of your diet are in place, such as carbohydrates and proteins, it is useful to look at products that can enhance your performance and push your fitness beyond your opponents. Creatine Monohydrate is one such product and is one of the most commonly used products for athletes looking to improve power, endurance and strength. Vitamin B Super Complex could be an extremely useful product for hockey players as it improves the body's ability to utilise stores of proteins, carbohydrates and fats for energy.

Looking after your body

Vitamins play a huge role in helping the body recover, stay healthy and also flush out any unwanted toxins or free radicals. A comprehensive multi vitamin such as Alpha Men (Super Multi Vitamin) should be a part of any serious athletes' daily supplementation. The uncompromising skills and movements often involved in hockey can place a huge amount of stress on the entire skeletal system of a hockey player. For this reason we strongly recommend the use of a product such as MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin which will improve the health of joints and cartilage.