Energy drinks
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SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
XS energy drinks also use Taurine, L-Glutamine, an amino acid, and herbs such as ginseng. I've had some positive results with these products. Also very good results with 5-Hour Energy, 6 Hour Power, Choco Energy (Now Foods), ProEndorphin and B-12 Energy Shots (Now Foods). I stay way from all energy drinks that are high in sugar and those that have extra high levels of caffeine.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ It does appear to be ironic. However, a good energy drink can be an ergogenic aid without providing the actual calories. It is assumed that the athlete already has both fat and sugar/glycogen stored from previous meals to provide the actual energy sources. The energy drinks promote certain brain chemicals and also facilitate cell energy production in order to elicit peak performances.
Those energy drinks that are high in sugars, could tend to produce crashes from an insulin response.
Those energy drinks that are high in sugars, could tend to produce crashes from an insulin response.
LuckyR
Legend
I agree, the energy is already there. So is the athlete's performance before consuming the drink truly low energy (despite having plenty of energy) or is he psyched out to assume he doesn't have energy (when her really does). The drink then provides a noticable buzz to convince him he now has energy (which he had all along), thereby relieving the psychout and his performance actually improves.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Yes, the stored energy should already be there. Access to that stored energy is sometimes a problem tho'. For energy production in tennis, we employ the aerobic system and 2 anaerobic systems. We sometimes feel a bit sluggish when we first start because of brain chemistry and because we have not yet hit the aerobic phase. We can usually easily access the anaerobic systems but these are very inefficient and can only be sustained for very short durations.
Sometimes, I'll perform 15-20 minutes of cardio prior to tennis in order to get access my aerobic systems and also to achieve a runner's high. If I ingest 1 or 2 oz of an energy shot drink prior 10-15 minutes prior to that cardio, then I can achieve the runner's high more readily (in less time). The effect itself is usually more pronounced as well (and lasts longer).
Now if I am truly sleep-deprived, neither coffee nor an energy drink is going to produce much of an effect (most of the time). Or if it does produce the desired effect, it is often short-lived. So, in order to access stored energy and promote a peak performance, it is helpful to be well rested. A good energy drink is not really a good substitute for sleep for me.
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Sometimes, I'll perform 15-20 minutes of cardio prior to tennis in order to get access my aerobic systems and also to achieve a runner's high. If I ingest 1 or 2 oz of an energy shot drink prior 10-15 minutes prior to that cardio, then I can achieve the runner's high more readily (in less time). The effect itself is usually more pronounced as well (and lasts longer).
Now if I am truly sleep-deprived, neither coffee nor an energy drink is going to produce much of an effect (most of the time). Or if it does produce the desired effect, it is often short-lived. So, in order to access stored energy and promote a peak performance, it is helpful to be well rested. A good energy drink is not really a good substitute for sleep for me.
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DBrickshaw
New User
I've heard that caffeine causes your body to release more lipids into your blood that are then readily available to use for energy so you dont necessarily need calories with it if you already got enough in your diet.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ Altho that "natural energy drinks" sound pretty healthy, I'm not too sure that ingesting all those carbs (w/some fat & protein) is ideal for all athletes right before or during tennis or a workout. Better to consume that drink some time earlier (or after your workout).
It is doubtful that it would even have the effects of 5-Hour Energy & similar products.
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It is doubtful that it would even have the effects of 5-Hour Energy & similar products.
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Stay away from drinks loaded with sugar. Not even our first nanny, Michelle, would want you drinking that, LOL.
Here's a drink for serious energy and recovery, and it's cheaper than Gatorade:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sv/xtend.html
Here's a drink for serious energy and recovery, and it's cheaper than Gatorade:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/sv/xtend.html
TennisNinja
Hall of Fame
I've drank energy drinks before tennis before, and I always felt awful.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
And what energy drinks did you try? A lot of the drinks out there are glorified soft drinks. Have you tried any of the products mentioned in this thread?
AlpineCadet
Hall of Fame
Enough caffeine along with that mental push are enough at times, but an overload on their "energy" mix can sometimes leave you hanging with that double fault/UE during a crucial point. Know your tolerance, and drink at your own risk.
Andreas1965
Rookie
That's common. Digestion is an issue. Stay away from that crap, drink water and have some bananas in your tennis bag.
Andreas1965
Rookie
Bananas provide a cheap source of energy.
Cramps are the result of dehydration combined with bad preparation and subpar fitness level.
splitbouncehit
New User
I've never tried energy drinks + exercise/tennis. One half of me assumes everyone is paying $2 for a placebo effect, and the other half is worried that they'll actually work and I'll never again want to play without one!
Would be interesting to see which drinks/ingredients are backed up by science. I think caffeine, at least, has been shown to improve cardiovascular performance.
Would be interesting to see which drinks/ingredients are backed up by science. I think caffeine, at least, has been shown to improve cardiovascular performance.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ Some of the B vitamins and amino acids have been found to promote alertness/focus. Those amino acids are most effective in the absence of competing (whole) protein.
I have experienced some benefit from the decaf version of 5-hour Energy (but not as much as the regular version). ProEndorphin has only 35 mg for a full serving and yet is very effective (for me, even a half serving will often suffice).
I have experienced some benefit from the decaf version of 5-hour Energy (but not as much as the regular version). ProEndorphin has only 35 mg for a full serving and yet is very effective (for me, even a half serving will often suffice).
jonnythan
Professional
Your criticism makes no sense. The human body has vast quantities of stored energy in the form of fat, body tissue, glycogen, etc. Ingested materials can and do change the way that the body uses these sources of stored energy.
fibonacci888
Rookie
http://www.cytomax.com/ give this a try. I helpes your body to handles the liquid balance and therefor avoid cramps.
TennisNinja
Hall of Fame
I was referring to the mainstream, traditional "energy drinks", like Red Bull. 5 hour energy doesn't do jack for me.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Have you tried it on an empty stomach? Or how about drinking it and then 15 mins later or so engage in 10-20 mins of cardio prior to your tennis?
Does coffee do anything for you?
If you are seriously sleep-deprived then the energy shots might not do that much for you. However, if your are just a little bit fatigued or want to elicit a peak performance then the energy shot with a bit of cardio should do the trick for most ppl.
RollTrackTake
Professional
I used to drink a 5 Hour energy before matches played at 9pm. I was usually worn out after work and chasing after my toddlers following work. In my experience it worked to give me a 'buzz' but I did not provide sustained energy. Lately I've been using this Mio energy drink mix. Looking at the label it has a similar ingredients to 5 hour. I like that I can put it in my water and choose how much I want to consume. Plus it tastes better than 5 hour. I know on older guy who drinks straight up coffee before matches!
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ I'll have to give Mio Energy a try. Always looking for something new -- I prefer not to ingest too much of any one product. Doesn't look like the B12 content is very high and I did not notice any amino acids (except for Taurine, which contains an amino group but is not a true amino acid). Perhaps the ginseng and the guarana content makes up for that.
RollTrackTake
Professional
^Yeah used the MIO again tonight and it's probably more of a mental lift then a legitimate bio-physical reaction. The black cherry still tastes good though! I also used to pour those Emergen - C packets into my water. I thought the ridiculous amount of Vit C would give me a boost. Not sure I got much out of that. For the now rare 4+ hours of play nothing beats a Power Bar for me.
newyorkstadium
Professional
Are sports drinks bad for dental health?
I am no dentist, but continuous exposure to sugar and acid is not good for teeth.
I am no dentist, but continuous exposure to sugar and acid is not good for teeth.
newyorkstadium
Professional
Mean't that last post as a new thread. What an egit lolVitamins don't provide any energy.
If there's no sugar and no carbs in that drink there's nothing in it that can provide a source of energy.
Your body needs sugar to burn to produce energy, or in the case of carbs, they're converted to sugars by the body which it then uses to burn energy.
Caffeine doesn't provide any energy. It's not an energy source.
Not true. Bananas are a source of potassium which helps prevents cramping. Same with coconut water (which is even higher in potassium) If you look the electrolyte drinks, they're high in potassium and sodium chloride - basically salts - which help prevent cramping.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
You are missing the point of these no-sugar energy drinks. Your point was already discussed in depth on page 1 of this thread (starting with post #4).
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RollTrackTake
Professional
^Agree. It is 'fabled' that some of the herbal ingredients in said sugar free energy drinks help the body breakdown and use stored fat as energy faster. B vitamins also play a major role in fat to energy production. Quite a few baseball players (Miguel Tejada comes to mind) took B12 injections as they aid metabolism & fatty acid synthesis ergo energy production.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ Bodybuilder? Looks like that is the target demographic for these products
Not tried any of these. Probably not for anyone under 18 or anyone with a weak heart or other health concerns. I would need to research these more before I considered any of these. Anyone tempted to try them should do the same as well. If you are tempted to try it, I'd suggest a conservative amount to start. They could possibly interfere with sleep so avoid using it at night or late in the day.
Not tried any of these. Probably not for anyone under 18 or anyone with a weak heart or other health concerns. I would need to research these more before I considered any of these. Anyone tempted to try them should do the same as well. If you are tempted to try it, I'd suggest a conservative amount to start. They could possibly interfere with sleep so avoid using it at night or late in the day.
Wuppy
Professional
Depends on how you define "energy." Caffeine is a CNS stimulant and reduces physical and mental fatigue.
Those energy drinks are basically just over-marketed caffeine drinks. The other ingredients are fairly worthless from what I've heard.
Marketing baby, have a cup of coffee.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^ I agree that caffeine can reduces physical and mental fatigue but I do not agree with the rest of your post. A good dose of B vitamins, guaranine, adaptogens and certain amino acids can all influence brain chemistry to help to combat mental/physiclal fatigue. They can help the body to produce energy more efficiently/effectively. I have also experienced some anti-fatigue, brain-stimulating benefits from decaf energy drinks -- tho' not as much as with the caffeinated versions.
While caffeine does produce the effects that you mention, coffee is not necessarily the best source. Coffee has CNS stimulants other than caffeine. According to some sources it contains more than 1000 constituents and some of these may possibly be carcinogenic. Acrylamide in coffee is another possible concern.
For me and others, coffee can cause the jitters. I find that this can occur even with small doses of coffee. Other sources of caffeine such as teas and no-sugar energy drinks do not produce the jitters for me. Coffee can be counterproductive to athletic performance for me while the energy drinks that I've mentioned are not.
While caffeine does produce the effects that you mention, coffee is not necessarily the best source. Coffee has CNS stimulants other than caffeine. According to some sources it contains more than 1000 constituents and some of these may possibly be carcinogenic. Acrylamide in coffee is another possible concern.
For me and others, coffee can cause the jitters. I find that this can occur even with small doses of coffee. Other sources of caffeine such as teas and no-sugar energy drinks do not produce the jitters for me. Coffee can be counterproductive to athletic performance for me while the energy drinks that I've mentioned are not.
kimbahpnam
Hall of Fame
"XTEND" sounds like a different kind of body enhancer
USERNAME
Professional
LOL Yeah man, this stuff is used mainly for gains in the weight room. All are pretty hardcore caffeine stim supps, personally if I were to try using this for tennis it'd be like half a scoop of DS Craze (like 2.5g) but probably still overkill haha. **** would make your heart pop doing something like a sprinting event going 1-1.5 scoops!
If you want a really good pre-workout drink for weight training, try Assault by Musclepharm. The 1MR and Jack3D stuff don't have enough ingredients in a serving to even compare to Assault, and the price per serving is similar.
USERNAME
Professional
Ive tried assault. Craze and Jack3d both were more effective for me. I honestly dont like MP products, bunch of hyped up ingredients in their stuff that ya usually dont need. BCAAs and beta alanine in particular, all hype. I love Craze cause it doesnt have beta alanine, all that crap did for me was make me ich when I got a good pump. Also I like the fact that Craze and Jack3d are only little 5g servings, easy to mix and shoot down quick without feeling a bit waterlogged after.
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Wuppy
Professional
Can you post some links to studies showing these benefits? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'd just like to see the raw data.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
That is a very tall order. I've done some research on this stuff for myself years ago -- quite a bit was not on the internet. Not really willing to put a lot of time into this right now. Perhaps you can do some research on your own. However, even if you find that raw data that you seek, there is still no guarantee that they will prove or disprove that any of these concoctions will work better than caffeine alone.
It shouldn't be too hard to find that certain B vitamins are involved in cell metabolism. They function to promote the conversion of protein, carbs and fats into energy. These vitamins as well as some some amino acids and other ingredients found in the suggested energy products have some impact on the brain -- mood, alertness, vigilance, learning, etc.
Not exactly what you asked for; just some stuff to get you started:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874196015061
Adaptogens as Stimulants
Vitamin B12 Boasts Brain Benefits
Benefits of Niacin to Affect Mood
You might want research the amounts/safety of the ingredients in the products I've suggested. Forget about products that rely rely on high levels of sugar. Once you are satisfied of their safety, then give them a try. Make certain that you use them on a relatively empty stomach so that the amino acids included are utilized effectively. That is really the only way to determine if they are effective for your needs.
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