Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 31

Women’s Running Maintain Your Cycle The pleasant tasting Breakthru Energy Gel sachets are specifically designed to replenish energy stores whilst simultaneously nourishing muscle tissues and balancing electrolyte levels. • Breakthru Boost: Quick energy boost with corn syrup & cramp relieving electrolytes. • Breakthru Rush: Quick energy release with corn syrup; cramp relieving electrolytes and muscle repairing proteins. • Breakthru Jolt: Quick & slow release energy with fructose, glucose & maltodextrin; cramp relieving electrolytes and immune supporting glutamine. Energy Gels Female athletes who over-train may be at risk of an unbalanced menstrual cycle, or worse, so make sure you’re not risking your health by increasing your training intensity too much or too quickly. – BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER Breakthru Anti-Cramp are chewable, essential tissue salt tablets which assist in reducing cramps and spasms. The tablets assist in maintaining electrolyte and pH levels. Cramping A Breakthru Endurance Carb Energy Drink (concentrate) is formulated as a carbo loader and energy booster. Mixed into a water bottle it is ideal to build and restore energy before, during and after any sporting event. Energy Liquid woman’s body is sensitive to change, so when you suddenly increase (or start) high-intensity running while training for a goal event or chasing a PB, your body may respond negatively. Besides niggly over-use injuries potentially cropping up, like ITB or shinsplints, another area where problems can occur is the menstrual cycle. Not only can the cycle be disturbed, it may disappear altogether, a condition known as amenorrhea. Now this may sound convenient to many women, but it’s a serious condition that can lead to osteoporosis, the weakening of your bones, and continuous stress fractures, due to the reduction in oestrogen produced by your body. Muscle Recovery CAUSE AND EFFECT Amenorrhea can occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are perfectly normal, such as pregnancy or menopause, but others may be a sign of a medical problem, such as a hormonal imbalance, or a side-effect of medication or contraception. Other possible causes could be lifestyle-related: • Stress can temporarily alter the functioning of the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, notably oestrogen and progesterone. Ovulation and menstruation may stop as a result, but usually resume once stress decreases. • Excessively low body weight interrupts many hormonal functions in the body, potentially halting ovulation. Thus women with an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, often stop having periods. • Excessive exercise can also affect the hypothalamus, resulting in the disappearance of menstruation. Looking at those three lifestyle factors, you should understand that a female runner doing excessive high-intensity, long distance training could be at risk of developing amenorrhea, given the combination of low body fat, stress and high energy expenditure. HOW TO AVOID IT If you’re upping your training, make sure you seek nutritional guidance to properly nourish your body for that extra effort and mileage. Quite simply, more training means more nutrition! If your period then becomes light, unbalanced or eventually disappears for two or more cycles – and you’re not pregnant – see your doctor immediately. Take the signals as a red flag that you need to slow down and cut back a bit – by at least 20% of your training volume – because no race or running goal is more important than your health! Breakthru Sports Performance provides a choice of two advanced protein supplements formulated to nourish and restore damaged muscle tissue and so improve muscle recovery time. • Breakthru Recoup Amino Acid: Full complement of L-isomer amino acids. • Breakthru Protein Shake: The tasty shake provides 70% protein and 16.8% carbohydrate plus a combination of micro-nutrients. Also available: Creatine Caps Available from: Dis-Chem, Springbok Pharmacy, independent pharmacies and selected sport stores. Also available online: www.nutreats.co.za; www.springbokpharmacy.co.za, www.dischemonline.co.za Sport Health & Fitness Technologies (Pty) LTD Breakthru Sports Performance E-mail: [email protected] • Tel: [phone] • www.breakthru.co.za @BreakthruSports 31