| Over the years Kids Soccer has exploded onto the | | | | glucose which is a form of energy. So what happens |
| sporting arena. More kids play soccer than any other | | | | when the body, in particularly the muscles is lacking |
| sport in the world. As coaches and parents a lot of | | | | glycogen? The body cannot produce enough energy |
| emphasis is placed on training methods and fitness. | | | | for your muscles to function properly. So inevitably |
| Without a shadow of a doubt theses areas are | | | | your performance suffers and the risks of soft |
| important, but the most important aspect of the | | | | tissue injuries increase. |
| game, nutrition is overlooked. | | | | So how do we maintain glycogen levels in our |
| Just a quick question before I dive into the | | | | muscles? It's simple, just eat food. Eating foods with |
| importance of Nutrition. Would you drive your car | | | | high amounts of carbohydrates helps replenish the |
| when it was about to run out of petrol? A safe bet | | | | glycogen levels in your body. So when its time to |
| would be no. Then why do soccer players attend | | | | compete in your soccer match, you are energized |
| training or even a match on an empty stomach. If | | | | and ready to go. You should never starve yourself |
| you coach a soccer team or even parent a soccer | | | | prior to training or a match because the body will |
| player, nutrition is crucial to peak performance. It's | | | | start to utilize its glycogen bank. Make sure to |
| not only crucial for performance but it's a necessity | | | | deposit nutritious foods in the glycogen bank at |
| for well being. | | | | regular intervals. Under no circumstance are you to |
| Do you know what glycogen is? Kids that are playing | | | | fast before a big game or drink high energy drinks |
| soccer have no idea of what glycogen is. Do they | | | | filled with sugars. |
| really need to know what glycogen is? No they do | | | | Don't neglect the importance of soccer nutrition. All |
| not! However, coaches and parents should inform | | | | the training in the world will be of no benefit unless |
| their players about the importance of a balanced diet | | | | you feed the motor that drives you. A well balanced |
| that include high amounts of carbohydrates. | | | | diet with the limitations of simple sugars can increase |
| Without going into too much scientific jargon, | | | | your soccer performance significantly without you |
| glycogen is a polysaccharide of glucose which more | | | | even kicking a ball. |
| or less acts like energy storage. Glycogen is found in | | | | If you understand the basic principles of nutrition and |
| the muscles, liver and to some extent in the | | | | glycogen, then you are destined to be in the top half |
| bloodstream. When taking part in a soccer match, | | | | of the soccer players simply by eating correctly. |
| the body uses this stored energy to convert it to | | | | |