Boosting Athletic Performance!

Advice Columns on Eating Healthy to Boost Athletic Performance

Write an advice column or news article for kids your age. What should kids eat the night before the big game or race? For breakfast the day before? After the game to restore their electrolytes and other nutrients? Answer these questions and cite the article that you read.

By Veronica

Hi kids! Do you ever feel nervous before a big soccer game or tennis match? You might chow down on a donut, for breakfast and then for the after game snack, eat a Twix. By doing this, you are weakening your muscles and driving your brain into the sugar crash zone. Before your big game, I would suggest eating a piece of fruit and maybe some eggs. This is very healthy, and filling while having the right number of electrolytes in it. During the game, drink lots of water and sports drinks such as Gatorade. Gatorade has electrolytes in it helping keep you brain and body fueled. After the game be sure to nurture your body with healthy food. Good foods to eat after are things such as a sandwich, fruit, carrots, and water.

By Jessica

Hello everyone, Fit Faith here! Hope you are all having a happy and healthy day. Today I will be talking about nutrition for sports. Before your event (days, hours) you should know that fats are very slow to digest and you also need good sources of nutrition or you are at risk for a sugar crash. During your event you need to stay hydrated and water or Gatorade is the best. After the event you should continue to eat healthy but increase your sugar and salt intake a little to restore sweat glands. 

Health Class: Sports Psychology and Visualization

Watch this movie about visualization: The Human Mind: Visualization

VISUALIZATION

Veronica

Which sport are you going to visualize?

Tennis

What do you want to do?

I want to have better form and accuracy during my serve.

Now write the paragraph describing what you see.

I see myself throw the fuzzy green ball up in the air as I lean my weight onto my back legs. I lay my tennis racket on my shoulders, and when the ball reaches the highest point, swing. When I hit the ball it makes a soft thumping sound, my racket starts at 7:00 o’clock then twists over to 11:00 o’clock giving the ball spin. Then I transfer my weight to my front leg, and wait until I hit the ball to cross the line. I feel the wind on my cheek as the ball flies over the net.

Now check your paragraph: Vivid, detailed, positive, 5 senses.

Now spend 5 solid minutes with your eyes closed visualizing and rehearsing the same scene in your mind.

Congratulations! You just connected pathways in your brain and strengthened your muscles.

VISUALIZATION

Jessica 

Which sport are you going to visualize? Swim

What do you want to do? I want to do a perfect breaststroke

Now write the paragraph describing what you see.

I have my hand on the blue tile wall. Its  a bit slippery but the cement side helps. My pink swim cap is pulled low on my forehead and my goggles are clear and don't have any water in them. My coach shouts go and I dive underwater. I taste traces of salt mixed with chlorine. I bring my arms forward as I start to lose are and do my underwater pull through ending with a quick dolphin kick. I pull through and kick my legs in froggy. I reach the wall with two hands and start off again. I repeat these movements again to the next wall. I am breathing hard.

Great writing, ladies!