Friday, October 2, 2009
I consider myself something of a foodie. Add exercise and health to this passion and there is an interesting combination that relates to Kansas sports.
In particular, I read a rather humorous story last week about men’s basketball preseason morning practices being so intense that players sometimes lose their breakfast. I understand that both Kansas football and basketball teams take their strength and conditioning practices very seriously. Sometimes I wonder though, if these athletes are aware of the fact that nutrition may have a bigger effect on overall physical ability than those vomit-inducing hours of practice.
The Aug. 17 issue of Time Magazine reported on the relationship between one’s eating habits and how much exercise can truly make one healthy and fit. For example, if a typical preseason men’s basketball practice is two hours long, then a player could burn well over 1,000 calories in that session. However, if he should go home and gulp down a few sodas and burgers, then his body might get mixed signals.
On one hand, these signals mean his body is glad to have received a strenuous workout, but, on the other hand, its synthesis of overly processed, fatty or salty foods will blunt the benefits of lifting weights or hours of cardiovascular cross training.
What is more worrisome is the fact that one pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories. Mathematically speaking, a student athlete would have to attend two or three morning practices to lose one pound.
I must admit I don’t know the dietary regimen of our football and basketball players, but as a busy senior in college, I know well the pitfalls of going several days without eating meaningful servings of fresh organic fruit, vegetables and whole grains. The National Center for Health Statistics did a study on college student habits that indicated repeatedly that we don’t sleep enough, eat food too high in sodium and processed corn sugar and drink too much high calorie soda and fruit juice.
Perhaps our star athletes are completely avoiding these dietary hazards and that’s why they’re so fit. However, I’m inclined to believe that these student athletes are humans, and subsequently, college kids, who may not be perfect examples of health and nutrition. Throw in other factors that usually undermine the good health and fitness of young twenty-somethings, including smoking, drinking or injury due to over-exercising along with poor sleep and eating habits, and it’s a wonder that any university in this country has an athletic program with exceptionally fit athletes.
— Edited by Jonathan Hermes
Alcohol, food trade-off leads to danger
Drunkorexia, or drinking instead of eating, is a harmful trend among college-aged ...
Campus calories no longer a mystery
KU Dining Services offers NetNutrition, a nutrition calendar, online.
Sleeping through school
Siestas in sociology? Napping in neurobiology? Keeping up your energy for class ...
Losing weight, losing control
Among the millions who struggle with eating disorders, the majority suffer from ...
Shake it up before you go-go
Being sick, tired and stressed is no way to spend Fall Break. ...
Exercising in the new year
The five-year study focuses on weight loss in obese individuals who have ...
The not-so-sweet side of sweeteners
What you need to know about artificial and natural sweeteners
Foods to help you lose that butt ...
Eating healthy during school doesn’t require as much time or money as ...
Excessive meat consumption could pose health risk
Dieticians say students should balance diets and avoid high-fat red meats.
Exercise your way to better grades
Cardiovascular exercise - like running - can help build a better memory.
Behind the buzz: the extra calories of ...
Drinking alcoholic beverages provides college students with more than a buzz. Extra ...
Nintendo Wii: Does it have health benefits?
Late-night meals lead to weight gain
Hectic schedules often lead college students to scramble to find time for ...
Crash diets can prove to be unhealthy
Homemade cleansers and crash diets aren't a substitute for sensible eating and ...
Macho Motivation
Research shows that images of muscular men in the media can depress ...
A case of the jerks
What’s behind those sudden slumber interruptions?
Exercising care while pursuing perfection
Experts dispel myths, dispense advice on achieving a healthy workout.
Fast food remains popular, yet unhealthy
A recent survey found that most Americans prefer fast food for its ...
Avoiding the ‘freshman 15’
University dining halls work toward healthier diets for freshmen and other students.
Step up your smoothie
Benefit from crafting your own blended beverages.
Selecting foods that are cost- and health-effective
March is Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Eat Right with ...
Snacking strategies for late-night studying
During finals week, carbohydrates and protein-filled snacks are beneficial.
Slow Down and Chew
Eating slowly and healthy helps you during finals and the holidays.
Safe at HOMEBASE
The task force HOMEBASE passed out some samples of its Better Bites ...
Portions can reduce holiday weight gain
Instead of binge eating on Thanksgiving, divided portions can lead to less ...
Pounds of performance
Kansas offensive linemen increase their weight in order to play at a ...
All's fair in love and fitness
Why staying fit in a relationship is not easy
Recipe for better sex
How your diet can improve your performance in the sack
Nutrition labels don't add up
ADA study says frozen meals average eight percent more calories than label ...
Overworked students' dangerous race against time
Is too much work and too little time putting students' health at ...
Do your part to prevent obesity, live ...
Is your drink making you fat?
Good for you, bad for you: Working ...
Sometimes it's hard to tell.
Durbin: Fast food is only convenient in ...
It’s easy to go on a burger, pizza or taco run, but ...
College basketball referee at the top of ...
Welmer’s lenient refereeing style has some players and coaches thankful, and others ...
Life as she knows it
Hartz: Diet colas, artificial sugar will drown ...
Two big studies found that drinking one can of diet soda a ...
Select few help athletes return to playing
Morning Brew: Watching sports won't get you ...
Spending Sundays on the couch watching football may be fun, but it ...
Heed healthy microwave meals
Manual
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID