Cricket

Elite cricketers often include weights and aerobics, such as running, as part of their fitness regime. Without this extra training cricket is a low intensity activity so it’s important to find a medium between fuelling your body and over-eating so you stay lean to increase speed and agility.

Fat is 'dead weight' and will reduce speed, endurance and agility without increasing our 'power behind the ball' as many people believe. Supplements can help you reach that balance by providing measured amounts of calories, protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Calories can be adjusted depending on whether it’s an easier or harder training day. As cricket is a social game it’s common that food is provided yet it often incorporates fatty foods and desserts. Sometimes cricketers are required to bring their own food & snacks to matches.

To maintain optimal bodyfat levels you can opt for nutrition bars, meal replacements or ready to drinks which are convenient to transport and provide vital nutrients to prevent lagging energy levels. These provide carbohydrates to refuel glycogen for long matches to provide energy and increase mental acuity and concentration.

During matches timing of snacks is often hard to judge as it depends when you need to participate, especially when the team bats first, so bars and MRPs are an idea choice and easy to digest so reduce the risk of pre-bat jitters. Matches are often played in hot weather so stayed hydrated is vital.

Electrolyte drinks can replace fluids and minerals lost from sweating and help maintain energy levels. At elite level, some days may include several matches so it’s important to take Post-Workout recovery supplements between matches to replace fluid and carbohydrates. Doing so prevents dehydration and dips in blood sugar levels so you can stay at the top of your game.

Creatine can help you get faster and build lean muscle, without adding fat mass. Not bad for all those extra runs and wickets you will get as a result.