This invention pertains to long term sporting events.
More particularly, the invention pertains to a training and nutritional regimen prior to and during sporting events.
A principal object of the instant invention is to provide a training and nutritional regimen that will enhance performance during a long term sporting event.
I have discovered a training and nutritional regiment that can enhance performance during a long term sporting event.
As used herein, a long term sporting event is a sporting event that lasts for one hour or more including, for example, marathons and triathlons.
Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I have discovered an improved process for improving an individual=s performance during a long term sporting event. The process comprises the steps of providing in ingestible form a plurality of doses of a first nutritional composition, each dose including a known equivalent concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc; providing in ingestible form a plurality of doses of a second nutritional composition, each dose of the second nutritional composition including a known equivalent concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc; establishing a dietary meal plan for the individual to establish a urine pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0, preferably 6.5 to 7.5; following the dietary meal plan to establish a urine pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0, preferably 6.5 to 7.5; periodically measuring urine pH to confirm a urine pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0, preferably 6.5 to 7.5; and, generating dose data. Dose data is generated during training of the individual prior to the sporting event, (i) generating data during one or more training intervals indicating changes in urine pH during the training interval; (ii) administering a selected amount of one or more of the doses of the second nutritional composition after completion of a subsequent training interval, said subsequent training interval extending over a selected period of time; (iii) generating data indicating changes in urine pH after administration of the second mineral composition; and, repeating the foregoing steps (i) to (iii) to determine a fixed quantity of the doses to maintain urine pH at a selected level in the range of pH 6.0 to 8.0, preferably pH 6.5 to pH 7.5 during the sporting event. The process also includes the steps of beginning to compete in the long term sporting event; and, at selected intervals during the long term sporting event, ingesting the fixed quantity of the doses to maintain the urine pH at a selected level in the range of pH 6.0 to 8.0, preferably pH 6.5 to pH 7.5.
With respect to the first nutritional composition, calcium, magnesium and zinc are preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a lactate, while potassium is in the form of a bicarbonate. Each dose of the first nutritional composition is presently preferably in powder form and, by way of example and not limitation, includes 1120 mg of calcium, 350 mg of magnesium, seven milligrams of zinc and 1170 mg of potassium. The powder is, at the time of administration, admixed with water, juice, etc. to produce a liquid that is ingested by an individual. Alternatively, the powder can be admixed with water, juice, etc. to produce a liquid prior to the time the powder is to be ingested by an individual. The powder can be stored in a container in bulk, in capsules, or in any other desired configuration. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the minerals can be administered in forms other than a liquid, including by way of example and not limitation, in a gel, in a candy bar, in a nutritional bar, and as a powder admixed with sugar granules. In one dose of the first nutritional composition, the amount of calcium can comprise from twenty to 2000 mg; the amount of magnesium can comprise from fifty to 500 mg; the amount of zinc can comprise from one to fifty mg; and, the amount of potassium can comprise from one to 4800 mg.
With respect to the second nutritional composition, calcium, magnesium and zinc are preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a lactate, while potassium and sodium are in the form of a bicarbonate. Each dose of the second nutritional composition is presently preferably in powder form and, by way of example and not limitation, includes 43 mg of calcium, 10 mg of magnesium, one milligram of zinc, 300 mg of potassium, and 500 mg of sodium. The powder is, at the time of administration, admixed with water, juice, etc. to produce a liquid that is ingested by an individual. Alternatively, the powder can be admixed with water, juice, etc. to produce a liquid prior to the time the powder is to be ingested by an individual. The powder can be stored in bulk in a container, in capsules, or in any other desired configuration. The quantities of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium in the second nutritional composition are much less than in the first nutritional composition because the second nutritional composition is administered during a sporting event after significantly shorter periods of time, for example an hour, have elapsed during the sporting event. Further, in contrast to the first nutritional composition, the second nutritional composition includes sodium. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the minerals can be administered in forms other than a liquid, including by way of example and not limitation, in a gel, in a candy bar, in a nutritional bar, and as a powder admixed with sugar granules. In one dose of the second nutritional composition, the amount of calcium can comprise from twenty to 100 mg; the amount of magnesium can comprise from five to thirty mg; the amount of zinc can comprise from one-tenth to five mg; the amount of potassium can comprise from one to 480 mg; and, the amount of sodium can comprise from one to 1500 mg.
With respect to establishing a dietary meal plan for the individual to establish a urine pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5, such dietary plans are available. In general, most fruits and vegetable and drinks produce an alkaline urine pH, while most proteins, starches (grains), and milk products produce an acidic urine pH. For example, raisins and spinach produce high alkaline pH readings, while cheese and meat products produce high acidic pH readings. A dietary meal plan can readily include cheese, starch, and meat as long as such foods are offset by an intake of alkaline foods. For example:
Accordingly, assuming that an individual prior to eating breakfast has a urine pH of 7.0 or more, eating Breakfast A in Table I and Dinner A in Table II will facilitate achieving an alkaline urine pH reading of 7.0+, while eating Breakfast B in Table I and Dinner B in Table II will facilitate achieving acidic urine pH readings of less than 7.0. While it is possible that the particular pH effect may vary to a certain extent from individual to individual, one virtue of utilizing urine pH is that it is readily and conveniently tested using pH strips. A pH strip with one or two indicators can be utilized, but pH strips with three or four indicators per strip are preferred because they are more accurate. The pH strips preferably are utilized three to four hours after a meal because an individual's body will have had sufficient time to digest the meal.
Once an individual has, in the manner noted above, established a diet that consistently produces a urine pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 preferably 6.5 to 7.5, most preferably 7.0 to 7.5, then additional data is generated during training. First, data indicating changes in urine pH are developed by testing the urine pH before and after a selected training interval. The training interval selected can vary as desired, but one hour is selected by way of example, and the sporting event selected is the triathlon and the training consists of swimming for one hour. The temperature of the water and speed at which the individual swims are comparable to that encountered during the actual triathlon. The individual's urine pH prior to the training interval is pH 7.4. After swimming for one hour, the individual's urine pH is 6.8. One dose, or packet, of the second nutritional composition includes 43 mg of calcium, 10 mg of magnesium, one milligram of zinc, 300 mg of potassium, and 500 mg of sodium. One packet of the second nutritional composition is mixed with water and ingested by the individual. After three hours, the individual's urine pH is 7.2. The urine is tested after three hours in order to give the body time to metabolize the minerals. As a result, it is decided to administer one and one-half doses, i.e., one and one-half packets after the next training session. Prior to the next training session, the individual's urine pH is 7.3. The next training session is a one hour swim. The temperature of the water and speed at which the individual swims are comparable to that encountered during the actual triathlon. After the training session, the individual's urine pH is 6.8 and one and one-half packets are mixed with water, orange juice or another desired liquid and ingested. After three hours, the individual's urine pH is 7.4. Based on this data, it is decided to administer one and one-half packets to the individual after each hour of swimming. During the swimming portion of the triathlon, one and one-half packets of the second nutritional composition are mixed in orange juice (or water, apple juice, etc.) and ingested by the individual after each hour of swimming.
In September 2007, sixteen weeks prior to the Chevron Houston Marathon on Jan. 8, 2008, fifteen subjects are recruited. The urine pH of each subject is measured with a three indicator pH strip. Age and prior marathon times are determined. This data is set forth below in Table III.
The even numbered subjects (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) comprise the control group and prepare for the next marathon (to be run in January 2008) in their normal manner.
The odd numbered subjects (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) comprise the test group and prepare for the next marathon (to be run in January 2008) in the following manner:
At the completion of the sixteen week training, each of the fifteen subjects competes in the Jan. 13, 2008 Chevron Houston Marathon. The urine pH of each subject is tested just prior to running the marathon (pre-run urine pH). Each member of the test group is, after each hour of running the marathon, given a quantity of the second nutritional powder as determined above. At the end of the marathon, the urine pH (post run urine pH) of each of the fifteen subjects is tested. This data is set forth in Table V below.
The use of the second nutritional composition in combination with an alkaline urine pH are initially being investigated as a way to replace electrolytes during a sporting event. The significant improvement in performance by the subjects in the test group is unexpected and unpredicted.
Example I is repeated, except that the subjects are training for the running leg of a triathlon. Similar significant improvements in performances of the test group are achieved.
Example I is repeated, except that the subjects are training for a long term bicycle race. Similar significant improvements in performances of the test group are achieved.
Judicial Notice is Taken of the Following Facts:
Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those of skill in the art to understand and use it, and having described the presently preferred embodiments and best mode thereof,