In all aspects of sports, health is a very-important topic of discussion. Especially in the game of soccer, women’s soccer to be specific, endurance and performance are top-tier issues. To firmly grasp an understanding on carbohydrates and the mecca of women’s soccer, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, I spoke to Julie Foudy, former-U.S. Women’s National Team captain, about the World Cup and carbohydrates.
“I think you realize quickly and when you’re exerting as much energy as you do, especially with soccer, it’s 90 minutes and a grind. It’s a lot of miles and you’re losing a lot, in terms of sweat and electrolytes.”
“The misconception is that sugar is bad. We’re here to reassure parents and athletes and that with the appropriate amount in moderation and with activity, actually you need sugar and it can help improve performance.”
It’s no secret that the common misconception about sugar is that it’s bad for the average consumer. When people, especially athletes, are linked to sugar, the social stigma creates a negative connection. Sugar isn’t only in junk food and soda. Sugar is in most foods, while Foudy and Scott Sehnert, sports dietician, place a great deal of respect for carbohydrates in women’s soccer and other activities.
“Athletes, to become great like Julie, she had to train at a high intensity over and over again. To be able to pull away from a defender requires high intensity. That high intensity is fueled by carbohydrates in the form of sugar.”
Sehnert and Foudy place an importance on training and utilizing on the body’s intake when talking about the women’s soccer aspect of sports. Soccer is a 90-minute marathon that includes a halftime period. Since there are rarely any breaks for the athletes, the players must be trained at a high level. Foudy says that carbohydrates were essential.
Not only are carbohydrates essential to keep moving, but the use of Gatorade is very important. Especially in the women’s soccer world, the activity lasts longer than one hour. Therefore, Gatorade is the perfect supplement for electrolytes. Sehnert spoke of the myth that water is better for athletes than Gatorade.
“The use of Gatorade is for its ability to improve performance in activities that last longer than an hour. If you’re sedentary, water is sufficient. If you’re going to be on a treadmill for 3o minutes to simply exert some energy for cardiovascular health, water is sufficient.”
“If you’re looking to improve performance, that’s where Gatorade, after about an hour, can really help improve that performance.”
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup coming up on June 6, the U.S Women’s team is getting ready to capture the championship. Just recently, in an article on the Inquisitr, the U.S women’s soccer team defeated Ireland in a tune-up match. Foudy, an ESPN women’s soccer analyst, is high on the U.S. team and the fact women’s soccer is a major “ untapped market. ”
“I do think the U.S. Women’s team has a very good chance, if they can stay healthy. They have so much depth and credible, almost an embarrassment of riches, in that front line of talent and goal-scorers.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is fast-approaching, and women’s soccer fans around the world will watch as the biggest event in that sport takes place. For the U.S. women’s soccer team, their first match takes place on June 8 against Austria in the First Stage.
[Image via ussoccer.com]
