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You don’t have to be training for Le Tour de France to enjoy the numerous health benefits of cycling. Increased cardiovascular health, improved joint mobility, and increased muscle strength and flexibility are just a few. Not to mention that cycling on a regular basis is a great way to decrease your body fat percentage. However, just like many other high-intensity sports, cycling definitely takes a toll on the body and often requires proper supplementation in order for cyclists to remain energized and well-prepared for all the ups and downs (literally) of the sport. Today, we’ll examine how a premium Collagen Peptides supplement can function as optimal pre-and post cycling nutrition for cyclists, for both recreational and competitive riding.
Longer distance cycling, especially cycle touring, requires a great deal of strength and energy in order to endure longer, more demanding rides. Whether cycling is simply a recreational hobby, your form of transport to the office and back, or you’re on a competitive circuit, you’re probably well aware that nutrition impacts your ride. You'll often hear competitive riders speak about "hitting the wall" or "falling off the pack",which basically means their muscles have zero fuel left. A cyclist's ride or performance is also determined by preparation. Technically, checking the tires, gears, and chainrings, to more complex matters, such as mental preparation and visualization are also important, especially in competition. For recreationists, a simple hack like cycling in the morning before the day's responsibilities and work begin, can also make a world of difference, according to Soul Cycle.
Cycling, even though it involves no physical contact, can still be considered an aggressive sport at times. The wear and tear on your muscles, knees, and back from repetitive movements are not to be ignored by your body! Even though you may not feel it immediately after you get off your bike, your muscles remain contracted and tight, which can lead to muscle tearing if not addressed properly. In addition, if your feet aren’t positioned on your pedals correctly while you’re riding, your knees will suffer. Furthermore, cycling also puts your back in an unnatural position for longer periods of time, which can result in chronic lower back pain - one of the many reasons why optimizing your recovery is of utmost importance.
In cases where cycling aggravates an injury or results in chronic pain, you’ll likely need more than just a few days of rest. In these cases, no matter how rigorous your training may be, it is crucial to listen to your body, rest, and avoid overtraining. Even though recovery is largely underestimated in cycling, it is absolutely essential when it comes to preventing over-use injuries and recovering from physical strain so you can start every new ride feeling rejuvenated and fresh.
Vital to our health, collagen is a structural protein without which there would be no muscles, joints, ligaments, and flexibility. Naturally present in our bodies, collagen's role stretches beyond the structural aspect, due to the fact that it promotes numerous bodily functions, including cognitive abilities, digestion, and movement. Collagen also affects pretty much every single aspect of our health you could possibly think of, including providing elasticity in our skin, making our hair thick and shiny, and providing us with strong nails. Our gut health and energy levels are also supported by collagen, as are the health of our muscles and joints, our sleep quality, as well as our cognitive functions, according to a study focused on collagen’s role in protecting neurons against Aβ toxicity.
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Most serious cyclists invest a lot of time and effort into preparation before their ride. While pre-ride nutrition and preparation are essential, it is equally as important to allow your body to rest, and replenish the nutrients lost before pedaling all over again. Proper recovery is an invaluable part of maximizing a cyclist's performance. Neglecting the recovery phase will not help you improve faster; it could only create a barrier in your progress and culminate in an injury.
Even though certain changes may not be visible, your body undergoes a great amount of stress during any physical activity - especially an intense one like cycling. In addition, your muscles break down under pressure, which calls for a recovery process, after which your muscles are even stronger than before. Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides powder is an ideal post-workout supplement since it has been found to promote muscle renewal by replacing the natural collagen that breaks down in the process of vigorous activity, thus decreasing exercise-induced muscle tear. In cases of a muscle injury, collagen has been found to promote healing of the muscle, shortening your precious recovery time.
What’s more, the effects of cycling aren’t only felt in terms of muscle fatigue and strain, but also on your joints. Joint discomfort is something many cyclists experience but don’t have the ability to manage long-term. According to a study, collagen hydrolysate has been found to reduce activity-related joint pain in cyclists, making it an excellent choice for your pre-or post cycle nutrition.
In addition, glycine,a powerful cytoprotective amino acid found in collagen, is known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces activity-related inflammation, and all its painful symptoms. Glycine also helps to promote a better night’s sleep after physical activity even in individuals struggling with sleep disorders. Sleep largely affects a cyclists’ performance, as it is a crucial part of the recovery process we rarely address. Our energy levels are very much connected to the sleep quality and duration we get. In addition, protein synthesis, a process crucial for muscle renewal, takes place while you sleep. Therefore, if you’re having trouble falling asleep at night and you want to wake up well-rested and ready to take on new adventures, you should seriously consider including a quality Collagen Peptides supplement in your diet.
Finally, the mental preparation of cyclists deserves as much attention as any other aspect of the sport, as there is a need to keep alert and focused during more difficult rides. Even subjective factors such as motivation and inner drive partially depend upon your cognitive functions. By promoting better sleep, collagen allows the brain to rest and refuel during the night. In addition, a study conducted by Buket Ucar and Christian Humpel, Ph.D. has confirmed that collagen has the capacity of protecting brain cells thanks to its brain-supporting agents. Consequently, collagen can potentially promote cognitive functions and preserve your ability to focus - which is essential during long-distance cycling - known to be as much a mental game as a physical one.
In summary, incorporating a premium Collagen Peptides powder into your cycling nutrition can help to optimize your preparation, performance, and especially your recovery. Furthermore, one of the best things about Amandean’s Collagen Peptides is that they cold-water soluble, easy-to-mix, and unflavored, so you can easily put a scoop in your water bottle and away you go! No interference with your regular nutrition and simple to incorporate into your training. Head over to our online store to discover all-natural collagen products!
