It cannot be denied that in the modern world, sport plays an increasingly important role in human life. Everywhere we learn that a friend started running or going to the gym not only to improve his/her figure but also to take care of their good health and well-being.
However, it is known that the appetite comes with eating – if someone starts to notice the effects of training, they want to exercise more and see the results in a shorter time.
In such a situation, many athletes reach for various strengthening diets, and above all, supplementation.
What exactly are sports supplements?
The human body works in such a way that, during greater physical exertion, it must derive strength from the ingredients absorbed in the diet. However, it often uses up amino acids that are valuable for the proper functioning of the body, which can cause injuries to muscles or tendons.
It is, therefore, logical to supplement the deficiencies of the ingredients used in training in the form of supplementation – i.e. various types of vitamins and nutrients in the form of capsules, powders or herbs – in order not only to strengthen the body or increase the effects of exercise but also to prevent injuries and contusions.
Briefly about injuries of muscles and tendons
With intense training in the body, there is a sharp increase in the load on the muscles and tendons. Even slight stress and discomfort can lead to a reduction in the mechanical strength of their structures and tissues.
Under the influence of severe stress, muscle fibres may be damaged or even completely rupture, and muscle tissue may detach from bone tissue.
These are the phenomena that most often occur in strength training. Such damage to the muscular system is associated with increased pain, muscle spasms and weakness, and in the worst cases even deformation, which damages the contour of the muscle and causes active and systematic pain in the damaged part of the body.
So you can see that these injuries are nothing pleasant and are associated with many years of rehabilitation, and even with the risk of ending any physical activity.
Collagen as the first rescue in case of damage
Collagen supplementation works best in the case of muscle and tendon injuries. It is the main material of cartilage and the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for about 6% of body weight.
Moreover, collagen mainly supplies and forms muscle tissue. Its deficiency results in joint damage and even muscle atrophy.
So in order to avoid any kind of injury or discomfort associated with excessive strength training, it is worth providing the body with collagen, especially in the form of supplements.
Collagen as a supplement
This type of reinforcement can be found mainly in pharmacies in the form of tablets, capsules or herbs.
During training, the body uses the already sparse collagen reserves, which is why its systematic supplementation allows you to properly support tissues and cartilage. Thanks to this, training becomes more effective. A person can do more repetitions or even train more intensively.
Other supplements
Physically active people must constantly remember to add the necessary amino acids and components to the body to strengthen the body. The most popular of such supplements, in addition to collagen, is also:
- Vitamin C – responsible mainly for the work of bones.
- Zinc, magnesium and manganese – are responsible for the proper functioning of the joints during training.
- Vitamin B12 – thanks to which the body receives the appropriate energy demand and maintains the correct level of metabolism.
- Bromelain and papain – these ingredients are less known because they belong to the so-called plant enzymes. They are aimed at vegans but are also responsible for protecting tendons and muscles during training.
- Turmeric – although it occurs mainly in the form of spices, as a supplement it plays a significant role in relieving inflammation of the body that can occur with too much physical activity.
It can be seen, therefore, that supplementation plays a significant role in the lives of people who practise sports on a daily basis. However, you should not allow strengthening the body, achieving better results and the visible effects of exercise at all costs. Therefore, supplements protect the body so that injuries during training do not stand in the way of a healthy lifestyle.