In the past, some athletes weighed themselves to measure how much fluid they lost during exercise. If they lost 3 pounds, they would drink 3 pounds of fluids, about 48 ounces. For 3 pounds, that would be 72 ounces. Another trend in sports nutrition is taking antioxidants to recover more quickly from intense workouts. Antioxidants are substances in food that help neutralize unstable oxygen molecules known as free radicals.
Intense exercise can produce a lot of free radicals, which can damage muscle tissue.
Taking antioxidants to reduce free radical damage during exercise still is more of a theory than an accepted practice, he said. Maughan said the best sources are fresh fruits and vegetables. Many athletes have turned to dietary supplements to build muscle mass. One of the hottest new products is a combination of creatine and ephedrine, said Mark Myhal, an exercise physiologist. Creatine is a supplement that may help add muscle when taken in conjunction with a weight-training program, although some studies show it has little value.