Athletes fit but not healthy

21Savage

I was giving this some thought. I saw in the AMA with the rugby player people asking them for advice on diet but tbh I'm not so certain if the diet of a rugby player would be considered that healthy for someone who wants to optimise their health.

Even the nature of what they do, does it reach a point whereby too much activity can have a negative impact on health? We see how many soccer players speak of their trouble walking at the end of their careers and having o endure pain. Rugby and American Football likewise have untold damage on the body. Is it even worth playing these sports as an adult male(In Ireland's case- Rugby) if you aren't being paid.

Alf Veedersane

21Savage wrote: »

I was giving this some thought. I saw in the AMA with the rugby player people asking them for advice on diet but tbh I'm not so certain if the diet of a rugby player would be considered that healthy for someone who wants to optimise their health.

Even the nature of what they do, does it reach a point whereby too much activity can have a negative impact on health? We see how many soccer players speak of their trouble walking at the end of their careers and having o endure pain. Rugby and American Football likewise have untold damage on the body. Is it even worth playing these sports as an adult male(In Ireland's case- Rugby) if you aren't being paid.

You're looking at the elite players in their sports.

They became elite, in a lot of cases, by making sacrifices that included their physical wellbeing at the end of their career.

Also, as I didn't read the AMA, what was unhealthy about rugby players' diet?

Augme

Comparing professional athletes with amateur athletes is like comparing apples to oranges, it doesn't work. You can't say that because professional rugby/NFL players can suffer greatly in their older years means amateur players will do the same.

The physical toll on the body at the top level of sports is miles ahead of the toll on the body for the average Joe who plays in his local park.

Transform

21Savage wrote: »

I was giving this some thought. I saw in the AMA with the rugby player people asking them for advice on diet but tbh I'm not so certain if the diet of a rugby player would be considered that healthy for someone who wants to optimise their health.

Even the nature of what they do, does it reach a point whereby too much activity can have a negative impact on health? We see how many soccer players speak of their trouble walking at the end of their careers and having o endure pain. Rugby and American Football likewise have untold damage on the body. Is it even worth playing these sports as an adult male(In Ireland's case- Rugby) if you aren't being paid.

where competition starts is where health ends

arybvtcw0eolkf

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You're looking at the elite players in their sports.

They became elite, in a lot of cases, by making sacrifices that included their physical wellbeing at the end of their career.

Also, as I didn't read the AMA, what was unhealthy about rugby players' diet?

I remember nearly twenty years ago and I was at the doctors for another knee injury, he asked what age I was. When I told him he said 'would you not give up that Judo, at your age you stop bouncing when you hit the floor'

Twenty years later, I'm 52 in March and I'll compete in at least three oversea's competitions this year including the European championships in Glasgow.

But I've paid a price for it. I can barely go to sleep without pain meds, I've left pec almost entirely torn off my arm and I walk down the stairs sideways in the mornings because my ankles won't move properly and a smaller point but the cartiledge in both my ears are constantly sore, and I've arthritis in all my fingers, and my toes are bashed up.

If I could turn back time I'd do it all again, every single moment of it (except the pec tear, that was a bastard).

arybvtcw0eolkf

Transform wrote: »

where competition starts is where health ends

Just a light hearted memory at that one.

More than once I've taken a suppository before going out to compete

freemenfitness

Whenever I talk to people about this I point at Roy Nelson if you are unfamiliar google him a world-class MMA heavyweight who does not look like a beacon of health.

Totally agree with transform and every athlete I know myself included has a laundry list of injuries from doing what they enjoy.

ThinkProgress

21Savage wrote: »

I was giving this some thought. I saw in the AMA with the rugby player people asking them for advice on diet but tbh I'm not so certain if the diet of a rugby player would be considered that healthy for someone who wants to optimise their health.

Even the nature of what they do, does it reach a point whereby too much activity can have a negative impact on health? We see how many soccer players speak of their trouble walking at the end of their careers and having o endure pain. Rugby and American Football likewise have untold damage on the body. Is it even worth playing these sports as an adult male(In Ireland's case- Rugby) if you aren't being paid.

Elite athletes are always trying to find where their limits are... so naturally many will sometimes push too far, or train when they probably shouldn't.

And also, many athletes don't know when to call it a day, because they love to compete... so a lot of chronic injuries tend to occur later in their careers, when they are trying do the same things they did 10 or 15 years previous... basically the 'peter pan' syndrome!

I often tell people, that they are actually better off training on their own, if their main objective is just to be very healthy, fit and injury free. Because it really is the best way to gauge where your own level is... rather than trying to keep up with a group, some of whom might just have superior genetics or be much younger than you!

It really depends what your goals/objectives are in life... what motivates you to exercise. Everyone is different.

For me, I would not be prepared to be crippled or sick in later life, just so I can showcase my athletic abilities in the short term. However, If you asked me that question a few years ago... my answer would definitely have been much different. :pac: But I have experienced the effects of severe overtraining... and it's not something I ever want to go through again!

Mellor

ThinkProgress wrote: »

Elite athletes are always trying to find where their limits are... so naturally many will sometimes push too far, or train when they probably shouldn't.

It's even simpler for that for me.
The limit for optimal heath is significantly lower than the limit for sports performance in a large number of sports. Most athletes are focused entirely on the latter.

Transform

Mellor wrote: »

It's even simpler for that for me.
The limit for optimal heath is significantly lower than the limit for sports performance in a large number of sports. Most athletes are focused entirely on the latter.

agreed and i rarely train with others or have any desire to do competitions (competed in a few decent level crossfit comps) as it always breaks me up and the turning point was a few years ago when i couldnt carry our daughter to bed one night because i was so wrecked from a session - just wasnt worth it for me and felt ego was certainly the enemy. Feel wayyy better as a result. Takes me far less effort to maintain strength and conditioning than to gain it, mobility is a far different beast as takes more time and effort than you ever thought possible

CIARAN_BOYLE

21Savage wrote: »

I was giving this some thought. I saw in the AMA with the rugby player people asking them for advice on diet but tbh I'm not so certain if the diet of a rugby player would be considered that healthy for someone who wants to optimise their health.

Surely the advice asked was more in the context of it being an ama with someone with a pgd in sports and exercise nutrition who happened to be an ex professional rugby player.

A rugby players diet was not asked for nor was it the answer imo,

irishman86

Augme wrote: »

Comparing professional athletes with amateur athletes is like comparing apples to oranges, it doesn't work. You can't say that because professional rugby/NFL players can suffer greatly in their older years means amateur players will do the same.

The physical toll on the body at the top level of sports is miles ahead of the toll on the body for the average Joe who plays in his local park.

Pah i suffer every sunday after a rugby match, dont waste my time to suffer when i hang up the boots

Transform

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Surely the advice asked was more in the context of it being an ama with someone with a pgd in sports and exercise nutrition who happened to be an ex professional rugby player.

A rugby players diet was not asked for nor was it the answer imo,

athlete or no athlete the only thing that should vary is food quantity, the overall nutrient quality should be pretty much the same

Transform

irishman86 wrote: »

Pah i suffer every sunday after a rugby match, dont waste my time to suffer when i hang up the boots

thats a real "i'll sleep when im dead" thought process.