Effects of Nutrition and the Injured Athlete

Until recently, people with sprains or strains had few options for relief other than massages, physical therapy, muscle relaxants, pain pills and traditional ice/heat therapy. So I can clear up any misunderstandings on the differences between a sprain and a strain they are defined below.

• Sprain- is a stretch and /or tear of a ligament, the firbrous band of connective tissue that joins of one bone with another. Ligaments stabilize and support the body's joints.
• Strains-is a twist, pull and/or tear of muscle and/or tendon. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscle to bone.

Many Nutritionist and athletes have found through past and present research that supplementation of certain nutrients can help speed up recovery. Injuries that respond quickly to nutritional support include muscle soreness, muscle and connective tissue damage, which consist of tendons, ligaments and cartilage, mild inflammation and moderate pain. Supplements can also ease injuries to the joints of the arms and legs.

One of the many key nutrients that have an impact on injury is Vitamin C. Vitamin C has many important functions. It is a building block of collagen, it helps to heal wounds and it stimulates the immune system. Research on vitamin C suggest that its effect on post exercise muscle soreness may be dose dependent. (Burke, 1997) In a most recent study a group receiving vitamin C for 21 days prior to the exercises had a better retention of force production than another group receiving vitamin E. Vitamin E has been reported to prevent muscle soreness in people unaccustomed to vigorous exercise. (Jakeman et al, 1997)

As an athlete I know that injuries interfere with training time and keep one from participating in sports and other recreational activities. Any reduction time in recovery would be a positive result for an athlete. Its strange that nutrients that are known to promote healing have barely been studied let alone used when training athletes. Knowing which nutrients have an impact on joint health and connective tissue recovery is important in preventing and possibly reversing long term chronic injury.