Caffeine

[Deadeye Doc]

Originally Posted by FlourPower

Thanks Bimble, you beat me to it! Stupid falicies!
Doesn't matter though coffee=evil
Tea FTW

Why pick on "coffee"? It is the effect of Caffeine, which is, of course, in a large number of carbonated drinks popular with the youngsters on the line. It is also in tea and cocoa products such as chocolate. One thing that has not so far been mentioned is the effect on the heart. Caffeine, correctly identified as a 'stimulant', has a effect on the heart rate, increasing this. Theoretically, this has an effect on how well you aim. If your heart rate is slower your 'aim' is improved simply because your arm is not jumping around quite so rapidly. Ski-archers are supremely skilled at 'slowing' their heart after their 8km circuit as are biathlon riflemen/women. This steadies their aim, and reduces their chances of having to do their penalty laps for missing the targets.

[FunTee]

I've been given a 'diet' to follow for three days before a comp and the comp it's self by my coach.
I was told in no uncertain terms that anything with caffeine in it was to be avoided on the day of the comp. as well as that fatty foods should be avoided but you should snack through out the day and drink small amounts regulaly of low sugar or isotonic drinks.

This is a real blow for me as I'm a caffeine and bacon butty fan

[bimble]

I do snack throughout the day but no-one is going to stop me from having that morning cuppa/bacon buttie (shy of a lack of availability). I quite simply need it to wake up properly, otherwise I just won't working as well during the opening stages of the shoot.

[FunTee]

Originally Posted by bimble

I do snack throughout the day but no-one is going to stop me from having that morning cuppa/bacon buttie (shy of a lack of availability). I quite simply need it to wake up properly, otherwise I just won't working as well during the opening stages of the shoot.

I know how you feel, My first proper outdoor comp using this diet is at the end of March (assuming I don't book in for one before then!) and I'm dreading it
The stuff I'm allowed to eat is:

Originally Posted by My Coach

On the Day

Eat breakfast if possible 2 hours before shooting:-
Porridge, cereal, or bread/toast with low fat spread and marmalade.
If a cooked breakfast is required, keep it to boiled, poached or scrambled eggs, lean bacon (grilled) and tomatoes or baked beans.
Keep it light!


During the competition

Eat small amounts during the day.

Drink small amounts often.

Food should all be low fat:-
Sandwiches: Chicken, lean ham, cottage cheese, salad, marmite, jam, honey or bananas.
Other food: Fruit, dried fruit, cereal bars, crispbread, malt loaf, low fat yogurt or soup that isn’t creamy.
Drinks should contain a small amount of sugar: diluted squash, fruit juice or an isotonic drink.

[FunTee]

Originally Posted by sp220

and NEVER miss breakfast... its the cardinal sin.

I've discovered this, up until Xmas I used to not eat Breakfast (and normally only have one meal a day). Since then I've started having breakfast, lunch and dinner, and since I started, I've dropped 2 stone in weight! I feel like I'm eating more but when I worked it out I was eating about the same but over the day. The other plus side is that I feel a lot more lively all day! it's great!

[Brett k]

For those who enjoy caffeine, and cant seem to get through the day without feeling run-down, try drinking Green tea on archery days.

I have found that although green tea contains caffeine, it does not give the hit that coffee and energy drinks give. Therefore it does not give you the 'jitters' and it can help to perk you up at the end of a long FITA.

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by bimble

What I would love (and shows my Germanic roots) would be potato soup, with a sausage in it. Sitting down at lunchtime on a cold day with something nice and hot... lovely!!!

I'd have to go for the good old Pea & Ham with the sausage along with plenty of fresh crusty rolls.......mmmmmmmmmmmm!.........I think I've got some in the cupboard.....See ya.

Paul

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Deadeye Doc

Why pick on "coffee"? It is the effect of Caffeine, which is, of course, in a large number of carbonated drinks popular with the youngsters on the line. It is also in tea and cocoa products such as chocolate. One thing that has not so far been mentioned is the effect on the heart. Caffeine, correctly identified as a 'stimulant', has a effect on the heart rate, increasing this. Theoretically, this has an effect on how well you aim. If your heart rate is slower your 'aim' is improved simply because your arm is not jumping around quite so rapidly. Ski-archers are supremely skilled at 'slowing' their heart after their 8km circuit as are biathlon riflemen/women. This steadies their aim, and reduces their chances of having to do their penalty laps for missing the targets.

Thank goodness we don't have to do laps when we miss!

Glad to know I am not alone in getting the jitters with too much coffee zipping around the system, it cost me ten points off the first dozen in Sunday's Portsmouth at the club.

[BowSurfer]

Originally Posted by bimble

This is actually a slight falicy (though a common one). Yes caffine is a slight diuretic, but when you consider that coffee is mainly water you do not end up more dehydrated after drinking a cup than before you started.

I personally stick to squash (though a cuppa in the morning and again at lunchtime never goes amiss), though that's generally because it's very easy and comes in many different flavours.

There is probably more of a problem with coffee (or other hot drinks for that matter) in that you tend to drink them quite rapidly (while they are still hot) and it may be this that inclines the body to discard the excess liquid. With squash I will take a slug after every end, and therefore hope that my intake will match the level of water loss and that I will then end up with a fairly stable level of hydration throughout.

[FlourPower]

Originally Posted by Brett k

For those who enjoy caffeine, and cant seem to get through the day without feeling run-down, try drinking Green tea on archery days.

I have found that although green tea contains caffeine, it does not give the hit that coffee and energy drinks give. Therefore it does not give you the 'jitters' and it can help to perk you up at the end of a long FITA.

Green tea gave me my first ever jitters. A pint of yorkshire tea in the morning with a wee bit of cow juice. Mmmm mmm gets me ready for the battle!

Originally Posted by steve58

Thank goodness we don't have to do laps when we miss!

Glad to know I am not alone in getting the jitters with too much coffee zipping around the system, it cost me ten points off the first dozen in Sunday's Portsmouth at the club.

I dunno, I think we could get compounds into the olympics if we have a biathlon. Cross country boss rolling to start!