2nd Asian Hydration & Sports Nutrition Seminar Plus Tri-Challenge

I had the previlege to attend the 2nd Asian Hydration & Sports Nutrition Seminar. Although there were times I don't know what the hell they were talking about, no thanks to my "non-science" background when I was in school. Well, it's only parts where the technical terms came out. The rest were actually quite informative. There were 3 speakers for the day:

1. Professor Clyde Williams

   Emeritus Professor of Sports Sciences, Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport, Loughborough University

Topics:-

a. Hydration and performance in hot-humid environments: Strategies for successful performance

Mainly talking about our sweat rates and the importance of maintaining/delaying our body temperature from rising to a critical condition. In order to do that, a well-formulated carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during exercise if highly encouraged. Even rinsing a carbohydrate solution has a positive effect in performance.

b. Nutritional strategies for optimum performace

Here he talks about the importance of carbohydrates, adopting a nutrional strategies using commonly available foods and not "performance-enhancing supplements" and also the recommendation of increased of protein intake is unnessary for most athletes. He also talks about the importance of recovery in training.

2. Dr. Jason Lee Kai Wei

Defence Scientist, Defense Science Organisation National Laboratories

Topic:-

Exercise Associated Hyponatremia (EAH) - Do we know how much to drink?

A large percentage will see that athletes do lose their body mass weight after events which is normal. Normally, when a person collapsed or those seek medical attention at medical tent after an endurance race, most doctors/medical staff at the tent will usually associate it with dehydration being an endurance event. However, recent studies have shown that there are athletes who instead of losing body mass weight, has gained weight! Symptoms of hyponatremia are almost identical to dehydration, so it is hard to determine the athlete condition unless accurate measurements are in placed at the tent.

Now, the topic is confusing me even more in working out my drinking strategy in my next marathon! But it is encouraged that we monitor our body weight before and after exercise/event. Bottom line, you shouldn't be gaining weight after a run!

Note: Speaker is not discouraging people from drinking during event!

3. Dr. Ahmad Munir Che Muhamed

Senior Lecturer, Excercise Science Unit, Sports Centre, Universiti Malaya

Topic:-

The influence of Ramadan on physiological functions and sporting performance

Interesting topic since the London Olympics in 2012 will be held in the month of Ramadan but speaker was a litte vague in the information given as I think there are a lot more to it to study the effects. To me, I am sure it will affect a lot of athletes especially in the endurance race, e.g. marathon event. Imagine yourself running without water for 42.2km. The speaker did mentioned that it is hard for humans to learn to adapt without water for certain period of time unless you are a camel. Earlier, Professor Clyde also mentioned the effects of rinsing mouth with water which has a positive effect on your performance. But that also depends on how a Muslim interpret fasting. Does rinsing/gargling break the code of fasting?

At the end of the guest speakers sessions, there's a Panel Discussion (consisting the 3 speakers, Associate Professor Dr. Kallaya Kijboonchoo, Head of Nutrition Physiology, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand and moderated by Professor Dr. Rabindarjeet Singh, Head of Helthy Lifestyle Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia) to answer queries from participants.

Fitness Concept & The Heart Foundation of Malaysia Donation Drive

After the seminar, I rushed towards 1 Utama (Old Wing) to support the Tri-Challenge held by Fitness Concept. My friend, Elaine Wong is working there. She has sent out invites to all her facebook friends to support the event. It's basically a charity event where for each kilometer done, Fitness Concept will donate RM5 to The Heart Foundation of Malaysia. The event will run from 23-27 March. Here are some details of the event:

Indoor Tri will feature the Reebok V7 treadmill, Upright Bike & Crosstrainer. Each participants will have 30 mins for one session where they will spend 10 mins on each machine. The accumulated distances will be recorded and the longest distances wins.

Indoor Triathlon Times:
23thTues, 24thWed, 26thFri, 27thSat - 3-4pm, 7.30-8.30pm
Launching 25thThurs - 5-6pm, 7.30-8.30pm
Grand Final 28thSun - 3-4pm

Attractive Consolation Prizes for Indoor Triathlon Challenge:
Suunto laptop Bag x 10 units
Horleys Supplement Rm50 Gift pack x 10 units
FC Micro Fiber Towel worth Rm 32.90 x 72 units

Attractive Grand prize for Indoor Triathlon Challenge:
Suunto T1c HRM x 1unit worth RM589
Horleys Supplement RM250 Gift Pack
Holiday Voucher worth RM1500 x 1 unit

Pls kindly contact Elaine for further details. 03-8026-2370 or lovelykaryan@yahoo.com

Do drop by 1 Utama, Old Wing, to support the event by taking up the challenge.

 

When I arrived, Jacky Ng, Juliana and Elaine were there. Frank and Jenn came a little later to join in the fun as well. I won myself a consolation price, nothing fancy but it's just pure fun.