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AW Basics questions and answers Q What is the difference between hypoglycaemia, hyponatremia and hypothermia? Peter Mitchell, Yeovil A Also called low blood sugar, hypoglycaemia occurs when your blood glucose (or blood sugar) level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body’s activities. This results in feelings of weakness and light-headedness and can be dangerous during athletics events. Certainly, it will not help your performance. The way to combat it is to eat good sources of carbohydrates between two and four hours before exercise and to avoid simple sugars that will result in sugar rushes. During a long event, such as a marathon or half-marathon, remember to take an energy drink and not just water. Hyponatremia is a dangerous condition that is caused by an athlete taking too much water. Most simply, their body becomes flooded with water and can lead to the athlete becoming hospitalised and even dying. Hypothermia is also highly dangerous and occurs when the temperature of a body drops below the level required for normal metabolism and/or bodily function to take place. Q I throw the shot and discus and the only training I do is weights and technical throwing work. Should I do any cardio? I’m a big guy and I hate it. Bob Gale, via email A As a thrower, strength and technical training are the most important things you can do. But working your heart and lungs will not do any harm. If you trim off excess body weight then this will make you faster and more mobile in the circle, which in turn will lead to greater distances achieved.
In addition to this, if you improve your
cardiovascular system then you may be able to carry out weights, gym
or throwing sessions that have greater quantity and quality than at
present. Q I have just moved to a rural area of the UK and am struggling to find a good coach or any athletes to train with. Can you help? Cheryl Ingraham, via email A The first port of call is probably to join your local club – once there you can feed off the their knowledge and advice and find other coaches and training groups in the area. There is sure to be a club near you. If you are unsure where your local club is then try logging on to www.runtrackdir.com/ukclubs or contact the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics, at clubs@ukathletics.org.uk
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