Athletes: increase your body fat levels! The relative importance of fat in the athlete’s diet has been undervalued, with potentially harmful effects on immunity as well as endurance performance, according to New York researchers reviewing the effects of diet on immune function in athletes. ‘It is of great concern,’ they comment, ‘that many athletes are... MORE
Low intensity exercise is best for overall weight loss, while high intensity exercise is best for maintaining muscle mass, according to a new study from Greece. The researchers set out to compare the effects of two exercise training programmes (both expending equal amounts of energy but one of low and one of high intensity) on... MORE
The bathroom scales might tell you how much is there, but they don’t tell you what is there. Knowing your body composition, and more specifically your body fat level, allows you to plan and measure the outcomes of your training and dietary programmes more accurately, writes James Marshall. The human body is composed of many... MORE
Why athletes, fitness enthusiasts and slimmers should steer clear of the fat burning zone Gary O’Donovan explains why high-intensity exercise is the best bet for training and weight loss The concept of the fat burning zone is highly attractive to the exercise enthusiasts of today, many of whom are more interested in weight loss than... MORE
The obese now comprise one-third of the adult population in the United States, and the trend is equally bad in Britain. Fifteen years ago, ‘only’ one American in four was over-weight, but the average citizen has deposited another eight pounds of fat under his or her skin in the last decade alone. Both men and... MORE
The triathletes who ate nearly twice as much, yet gained no weight, and improved their performance times by 8 per cent Most athletes say they are aware of the importance of good nutrition, but when they sit down to eat, their patterns of food intake are often considerably less than optimal. One key problem is... MORE
If your body burned only fat for energy when you exercised, and you wanted to lose a pound of weight by working out, you would have to run or walk about 35 miles to lose that pound.* In contrast, if your body burned only carbohydrate (glycogen) while you trained, you could lose that same pound... MORE
Protein and weight control Most people think of protein as a muscle-building nutrient. But as Kevin Tipton explains, new research suggests it could play an important role in weight loss and maintenance. Weight control is a significant issue for many people, including athletes, who may benefit from reduced fat mass to improve performance. In general,... MORE
The effects sports and fitness training has on our metabolic rate and calorific needs Metabolic rate basically refers to the energy that is released by the body. Sports training can have a significant effect on metabolic rate – this can determine weight gain and weight loss. This is because it boosts calorie burning. This is... MORE
Can body fat loss and lean muscle gain be targeted with nutritional supplements? Article at a glance: Two of our leading writers look at two new natural substances and determine if they can benefit athletes; Ron Maughan looks at Quercetin and whether it is able to reduce illness and maintain mental performance; Andrew Hamilton looks... MORE
The latest triathlon research and best practice findings, covering improving technique, strength and conditioning, and endurance nutrition
The latest findings from running science with practical advice showing you how you can run further and faster whilst staying in peak health
