The Athlete's Guide to Sports Supplements, by Kimberly Mueller and Josh Hingst, Human Kinetics, 292 pages, $18.95.
IMPROVED physical performance is an elusive goal and as time goes by it often seems like it is getting further from your grasp. The difference between a podium finish and watching from the bleachers is often measured in tiny amounts.
It doesn't matter if you are a competitive athlete or someone simply striving to be the best they can be. For every athlete there are a lot more factors in optimum performance than who puts in the most hours training. A race car doesn't run best on the cheapest gas and your body likewise needs top quality nutrition if you are asking it to give 100 per cent. A good diet is crucial to great performance and in addition to the correct amounts of fruit, vegetables and meats there are a wide variety of supplements that can help.
Authors Kimberly Mueller and Josh Hingst examine more than 120 of the most popular supplements. For each one they explain what it is, how it works, potential performance benefits, research studies, recommended doses and possible health concerns. They also do separate sections for masters athletes, vegetarians, diabetics, and those people competing in extreme environments.
The supplements are presented in alphabetical order and are cross-referenced for particular purposes, such as strength or endurance.
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