In the Spotlight

Preparation is everything.... Rapid recovery after exercise is vital if you train regularly. However for elite athletes speed of recovery is essential. Lucozade Sport scientists are committed to improving athletes all round performance, which is why they have developed the new Lucozade Sport Recovery Drink. Prepare for the next challenge as soon as the last one is over by incorporating it into your training program. Read on for the science behind the product...

Recovery encompasses a range of nutritional issues:

• replenishment of muscle and liver glycogen stores
• replacing the fluid and electrolytes lost in sweat
• repair and regeneration of muscles

It is widely accepted that carbohydrate intake immediately post-exercise will rapidly replenish glycogen stores and aid recovery, and therefore performance on subsequent sessions. When carbohydrate is consumed insulin is released which facilitates the entry of glucose into the cells, thereby helping to increase muscle glycogen concentrations.

More recently the benefits of protein ingestion post-exercise have been recognised in relation to recovery. Training, particularly resistance training and endurance training, has the potential to break down muscle protein. The repair and regeneration of these muscles post-exercise is essential for recovery. The presence of protein in a carbohydrate-containing recovery drink appears to help increase insulin secretion, resulting in faster transport of both carbohydrates and protein into muscle cells. This helps to not only repair and synthesise new muscle fibre but also can result in faster muscle glycogen resynthesis compared to when carbohydrate only is consumed.

Thus Lucozade Sport Recovery Drink, containing a blend of both carbohydrate and protein, is scientifically designed to help improve recovery after exercise. It was voted by Men's Health magazine as the 'Best Sports Recovery Drink'.