|
Magnesium and Your Performance . . .
Magnesium and Your Performance
There are numerous benefits that magnesium supplementation can give you in improving your athletic training, performance and recovery. Many athletes do not consume enough of this vital mineral, which can lead to reduced exercise capacity, impaired performance and poor post-exercise muscle recovery. Let’s explore the role magnesium plays in healthy physiological function and more importantly, why you, as an athlete, need supplemental magnesium as a regular part of your nutritional regime.
Magnesium is a vital nutrient that is involved in many important physiological processes, including energy production, muscle contraction, muscle relaxation and keeping our cells healthy. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is necessary for over three hundred reactions within the body! Magnesium plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production. It is necessary for the production of the body’s major form of energy – ATP (adenosine triphosphate); therefore a deficiency of magnesium may make you feel tired and low in energy. A scientific study on magnesium found that female endurance athletes who took magnesium supplements were able to run at maximal intensity for longer, and had increased VO2 max. If you want some extra energy to help you go harder for longer, take some extra magnesium today!
|
 |
Do You Get Muscle Cramps?
As mentioned previously, magnesium is necessary for normal muscular contraction and relaxation. Low magnesium levels are associated with an increased incidence of muscle cramps, which can often be reversed with the addition of magnesium supplements. In one research trial, swimmers taking magnesium supplements during their training and competitions found an 86% reduction in muscle cramps. The reductions occurred after only three days of supplementation. If muscle cramps are an issue for you, adding some extra magnesium to your supplement regime is a must.
Magnesium for Better Muscle Recovery
 |
Magnesium depletion may also be associated with structural damage to muscle cells, impairing post-exercise muscle recovery. Magnesium is, therefore, crucial for maintaining muscle health, and may assist in recovery after exercise. A recent study on the use of magnesium in 1,453 adults demonstrated that higher serum (blood) magnesium levels were associated with better muscle integrity and function. This included grip strength, lower-leg muscle power, knee extension torque and ankle extension strength. These results highlight the importance of magnesium for improving muscle function and performance.
|
As you already know, for athletes to perform at their best they need to ensure that they are well hydrated and take in extra electrolytes lost during intense exercise. Magnesium is a critical electrolyte, along with potassium, sodium and chloride. It is important for athletes to replace magnesium as intensive training can lead to depletion via sweat and urine. If you become deficient in magnesium, it is often difficult to restore the levels back to normal, particularly if you do not take supplements. Many athletes are magnesium deficient; therefore, supplemental magnesium is an important part of any serious athlete's nutritional program. However, not all magnesium supplements are created equal.
|
 |
The type of magnesium you choose is important, as some forms can cause gastric discomfort or diarrhoea (the last thing you want during your training or race!). MetaMag™ is a patented form of magnesium, found in the Endura sports range, which assists cellular energy production, as well as boosting muscle recovery and supporting healthy muscle function. The magnesium contained in MetaMag™ is bound to an amino acid and is absorbed quickly and effectively, without causing any digestive discomfort.
Whichever Endura formula you choose, make sure you’re adding some extra magnesium into your daily routine. You can give your athletic performance and recovery a real lift by including one or more of the Endura sports nutrition supplements into your regime!
|
