Fatigued? Bounce back faster after football matches

For most football players, the season is at the halfway mark. After a difficult and challenging season, players may be feeling fatigued after football matches. So, how can you bounce back at this crucial time of the season? No matter if its the start of the term, midseason or the end of the year, our advice should get you back in the game quicker.

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Hydrate and re-hydrate

During football matches you are constantly in motion. No matter which position you take up on the pitch, you will sweat and exert energy throughout a match. Before games, it is is imperative to hydrate before a match begins. But once the game is finished, players need to begin re-hydrating almost immediately. When you sweat you lose water and electrolytes. Re-hydrating will put these important elements back into your body.

Active.com says a player should drink 1.5 pints of water for every pound of weight. A player should drink this amount in the 24-hours that follow the game.

Eat carbs

Player should ingest carbs following a match. Carbs will provide a player with energy following a game. The reason you feel tired after a match is due to burning the carbs you had stored. Why do you think players eat pasta or rice before games? They need the carbs to burn during play.

It is important for players to begin eating food shortly after they finish their game. The sooner you ingest carbs, the quicker the body can absorb it and send it to muscles.

Pack on some protein

Okay, you need to have carbs after games, but you also need protein as well. During a game, you breakdown muscles while training, playing matches and working out. A protein shake following the session will rebuild the muscles.

Expert trainers suggest players eat meat or cheese following a game. However, the best way to get protein into your body for recovery is to have a protein sports drink. It combines carbs and protein that gets you back into the game quickly.

Bouncing back after a football match is important, so make sure you know how to get back into the game.

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