Hockey Players Targeted for Supplements

With only a couple of weeks between now and the start of the season, do you really think starting a jogginf routine and eating properly is going to help? Forget about it, take the easy way out an pop some pills instead. (Tongue planted firmly in cheek)

Recently, I was curious what my 5 or 6 cups of coffee per day was doing to my system, and specifically how it might affect my on-ice performance, either positively or negatively. So I started my online research and stumbled across a site that sells supplements targeted directly at hockey players. In fact they have about 12 different supplements aimed at the hockey player. At a price range of between $5 and $15.00 per bottle these products are not aimed at the professionals. These products are aimed at you and me.

When I wrote an article on the use of Sudafed by hockey players, this was one of the first times that I had heard of beer-leaguers taking something to enhance their play. Before that the only supplement that I had ever heard of at an adult hockey game was beer.

Asking myself if players would actually take this recreational sport so seriously that they would ingest a substance with the specific goal to improve their hockey playing performance, I concluded that people being people, unfortunately, its probably all too common. The question is; Why are they taking these things?

Are these people in good shape to begin with and take these additives to go beyond their potential? Or are they trying to take shortcuts to get where they could be naturally with regular physical activity and watching what they eat? Are they egomaniacs, insecure or well-balanced?

Probably all of the above, as that is what makes up our society; our society of immediacy and commerce. Why work hard when you can take a shortcut, and why be honest with yourself if all it takes is money to gain an artificial edge.

The website makes statements as, “During a shift, you must have the energy and mental focus necessary to dominate your competition. Off-shift you must be able to rest and recoup for the next shift. These requirements can be met only if you have enough of the vitamins and minerals necessary to perform and recover at the highest level.”

Or perhaps you could just eat right.

According to this site hockey will make you old before your time, “…you may age at an increased rate from taking and giving crushing hits on the ice.”

But don’t worry they can make you stay younger for only $19.49 per bottle.

The essential supplement for the hockey player is apparently B-vitamins. I thought I finally agreed with them but then I realized B didn’t mean Beer. Their B Vitamins are said to “help to protect the immune system from damage, help build muscle, increase energy levels, increase endurance, heal injuries, and improve performance”

And here I was actually considering regular exercise to do all that; silly me.

But, don’t forget muscles… “when it comes time to grow our muscles in a freakish way, we need the right combination and mega-doses of essential amino acids, carbs, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (EFAs).” Yes, “freakish way” is the actual term they use. What scares me is the type of person that can relate to that in a positive manner.

To do this you take a substance called “Animal Pak.” Yikes.

Know whats in that stuff?
Shark Cartilage: 1g
Betaine HCl: 200mg (stomach gastric acid)
Pancreatin: 700mg (enzymes from pork or beef pancreas)
Ox Bile (bovine): 120mg (Bile from an Ox)

Let’s throw in a little BSE while we’re at it, shall we?

According to this site the most popular supplement, and one used by hockey players for years is creatine monohydrate and is a “great benefit to the hockey player because it can increase energy levels, protect against muscle loss, and prevent dehydration.”

Apparently us hockey players don’t eat right, exercise, or drink enough water.

Well, okay, they have a point there. But you can’t just pop a pill or mix powder with your beer and forget about it. The only way to overcome poor diet, lack of exercise, and dehydration is to eat less, skate without the puck to the open ice, and drink a light beer.

But who the hell wants to do that?

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/hockey.htm