How do Tour De France athletes recover so fast? Performance coach reveals the secret

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -

The Tour de France, aside from being the world’s most distinguished cycling event, is also its most challenging. Comprising both time-trial racing and racing stages, the Tour takes place over expansive stretches of mountainous terrain and tortuous inclines. It’s one of the greatest tests of athletic endurance and requires cyclists to be at the top of their game.


But how do participating athletes recover post-race?

Tour de France 2022: let the race begin

This year, the race’s first location is in Denmark – a country of around 5.8 million people. It’s also considered one of the greenest and happiest in the world.

Other countries continually look to Denmark for inspiration when it comes to making cycling an essential part of a sustainable, beneficial and happy way of life. Denmark is a country of cyclists and has an extensive background in hosting major international sporting and cycling events – including the 2011 World Road Race Championships and the start of the 2012 Giro d’Italia [1].

David Bailey on preparations and recovery for a cycling tournament

So how do athletes prepare for this gruelling event? Performance consultant in World Tour cycling and sports scientist David Bailey, PhD, is an expert in sports nutrition and sports science. With over 20 years of experience, he manages performance projects focused on athlete physical preparation, equipment development, sports nutrition and corresponding performance interventions that target triumph at the World Tour level.

We were able to catch up with Dr Bailey and learn more about his techniques for cycling success and the innovations he expects to showcase during the event. The Tour de France comprises 21 days of actual racing. Now on his 8th Tour, Dr Bailey shares in the video below how he focuses on race preparation while highlighting how integral it is and goes hand in hand with recovery [2].

Is there a way to measure recovery?

First, we look into the possibility of quantifying recovery. Ongoing research attempts to discover the most optimal approaches for it. 

Studies are constantly finding ways to reduce the fatigue, damage and soreness resulting from training. However, the information available can often be contradictory, leaving you more confused about the best way to recover than when you started.

Recovery is unlike Functional Threshold Power (FTP), which is the highest average power you can maintain for approximately an hour, calculated in watts and can’t be precisely quantified. So how do you tell if you’re recovering well [3]? 

The necessity of cellular energy

As Dr Bailey mentions, fueling is essential, as cyclists spend a lot of energy during four to six hours of racing, with over 5,000 kilojoules on a hard day – followed by recovery, which they have to accomplish day-in, day out. A plunge in performance could reasonably be driven by mitochondrial health. 

While mitochondria are concerned with multiple cellular functions, their most important process is in bioenergetics – producing energy using ATP. The the first demonstration of how ATP functioned back in 1997 earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry [4].

Mitochondria oxidise fats, proteins and sugars to build chemical energy stored in ATP. The consequent ATP is an energy-carrying molecule that hauls the chemical energy from the disintegration of food to fuel other cellular processes. It is regarded as the ‘energy currency of life’.

Urolithin A with Mitopure from Amazentis

Mitochondria wear out over time. This descent in function is one of the attributes of aging and connects to other hallmarks of aging processes, together with genomic instability, telomere dysfunction and cellular senescence. Scientists at Swiss company, Amazentis took on this challenge.

Sensibly, our bodies partake in a continual upkeep programme called mitophagy – the breaking down of tired and sub-par mitochondria and then reusing their molecules. As we grow older, our mitochondrial dysfunction increases, but the rate of mitophagy drops.

Research indicates that exposing nematodes (roundworms) to Urolithin A extends their lifespan and mitophagy [5]. Their mobility also improved with age and increased activity. Urolithin A also enhanced exercise capability in mice suffering age-related muscle decline.

Using urolithin A in human trials suggests that a precise dose is mandatory. Amazentis introduced Mitopure, a proprietary urolithin A supplement, which includes powder and soft-gel forms. 

More than fueling competitive sports

Aside from being a supplement helping elite athletes, aging is another factor that Mitopure is known to address. As aging is linked to associated decline in mitochondrial function – Mitopure can have application in older populations.

A further study in JAMA Network Open uncovered that the urolithin A supplement can aid with the improvement or prolonging of muscle activity in older people or those with conditions that make exercise difficult [6]. 

The trials thrived statistically, with two measures of improved muscle steadiness in the supplemented group, compared with a placebo group. Exercises involving the hand and leg estimated muscle endurance, with researchers calculating the gain in the number of muscle contractions until such time that fatigue settles in, between a baseline and the final test after four months.

An effortless and practical method to boost muscle recovery is available to everyone. A daily dose of Mitopure is equal to drinking six glasses of pomegranate juice, all without worrying about if you can convert it and even without the excess sugar.

Per Dr Bailey, there is excitement about the Mitopure trials. For the Tour, athletes have to be responsible, consistent and careful with what they take. Urolithin A is a natural molecule, and the rigorously batch-tested Mitopure supplement is guaranteed NSF-for-sports.

Delivering the needed performance boost

Much analysis into urolithin A has been performed on the general population, but recent studies, especially regarding aging, presented at a conference on sports medicine detailed nice improvements in muscle function and endurance – the first to exhibit beneficial effects in a healthy middle-aged population.

Along with exercise, supplements can be utilised to help energy production and mitochondrial health. Manufactured by gut bacteria, urolithin A is a dynamic postbiotic synthesised after eating certain foods high in polyphenols like berries, pomegranates and nuts.

Postbiotics are health-promoting compounds produced as metabolic by-products by microorganisms living in the gut. Considering that our gut microbiome differ by factors like age, diet and genetics; people produce urolithin A at different rates. Individuals with more bacteria from the Clostridiales and Ruminococcaceae families living in their gut can make urolithin A.

Ideal dosage for urolithin A

The Mitopure supplement carries 500mg of highly pure urolithin A, providing six times the amount of urolithin A available from diet alone [7]. While not planned to work alone without regular exercise or fruit intake, it’s safe to say that urolithin A supplements like Mitopure are a practical and accessible way to boost energy, mitochondrial health and muscular strength in older people.

As with athletes, preparation (diet, supplements and training) plus recovery are a vital part of their plan. If you don’t give yourself recuperation time to rest and repair post-ride, then you won’t advance – and you’re also putting yourself at risk of disease, injury and over-training.

The information included in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this webpage is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Dr David Bailey is a paid consultant of Amazentis

[1] https://storage-aso.lequipe.fr/ASO/cycling_tdf/tdf-2022-dossier-de-presse.pdf
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVVAfbpsO48&t=10s
[3] https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/tips-effective-rest-recovery-after-cycling-147012
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3513836/
[5] https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.4132
[6] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2788244
[7] https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/tips-effective-rest-recovery-after-cycling-147012http://pdf.amazentis.com/pdf/Amazentis_Timeline_Launch_PR_7.27.2020_v9_Final.pdf

Source: https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/how-do-tour-de-france-athletes-recover-so-fast-performance-coach-reveals-the-secret/


Comments

Post a Comment

Labels

Show more

Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

12 Types of Zinc Supplementation and Absorption 2024

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
Zinc is a powerful immune nutrient known for its benefits for providing immune health support and anti inflammation as well as for improving cold and respiratory symptoms, wound healing, acne reduction, and lowering the risk of age-related diseases. Research on atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus suggests that zinc deficiency may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation. Types of Zinc What's the best absorbed zinc supplement form?  We know there’s an ocean of information out there to navigate, so we’ve compiled a list of common zinc types and an overview on each zinc type below. There are several types of zinc supplements. Supplements contain several forms of zinc, including zinc gluconate, zinc citrate and zinc picolinate. The percentage of elemental zinc varies by form.  Choosing a zinc supplement can be confusing because there are so many different types. zinc acetate zinc angstro
Read more

Fenbendazole Cancer Success Stories and Treatment Testimonials: Case Series (2024)

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The inspiring testimonials (below) you are about to read are shared by individuals who have generously recounted their remarkable journeys with the hope of motivating and uplifting fellow patients. It’s essential to acknowledge that while these case studies offer incredible hope, the Fenbendazole protocol isn’t a universal solution. Related:  Best Anti Cancer Supplements Below is the list categorised by different cancer types alphabetically. Fenbendazole Breast Cancer Success Stories December, 2022 Condition: Stage 4 ER+PR+HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer to bones A friend told me about the Joe Tippens Protocol and ivermectin the day after I got my diagnosis for a third bout with breast cancer. I started both immediately. I saw my oncologist a week later. She added Faslodex, Kisqali, and Femara. She supported me added the JTP and the ivermectin. In 8 weeks I was in remission as measured by my CA2729. At week 11, a PET scan showed NED. Which of the protocol components
Read more

How to Detox Spike Protein After COVID - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The spike protein is naturally found in SARS-CoV-2, no matter the variant. In its native form in SARS-CoV-2, the spike protein is responsible for the pathologies of the viral infection. As of October 30, 2023, federal  data  published by the US CDC found that 14.3% (National Estimate) of adults who previously had a COVID-19 infection are currently experiencing symptoms of long COVID.  In its wild form it’s known to open the blood-brain barrier, cause cell damage (cytotoxicity) and, as Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of the  mRNA and DNA vaccine core platform technology , said in a commentary on  News Voice , “is active in manipulating the biology of the cells that coat the inside of your blood vessels — vascular endothelial cells, in part through its interaction with ACE2, which controls contraction in the blood vessels, blood pressure and other things.” It’s also been revealed that the spike protein on its own is enough to cause inflammation and damage to the vascular system, even i
Read more

Lumbrokinase vs Nattokinase vs Serrapeptase: What's the Difference?

By -
Image
Lumbrokinase, nattokinase, and serrapeptase are all enzymes that have been studied for their potential health benefits. They are all considered as proteolytic enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes have a variety of roles in the body, from helping to digest food to taking part in the immune response. What is Lumbrokinase? Lumbrokinase (LK) is an enzyme derived from earthworms is thought to aid in blood clot prevention, inflammation reduction, and circulation problems.  Lumbrokinase for Blood Clots Thrombolytic agents typically used to dissolve clots are urokinase (u-PA), streptokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). These drugs, however, are not specific for fibrin and have adverse and dangerous side effects including severe bleeding and heavy blood loss which may result in death. In contrast, LK is very specific to fibrin as a substrate and it does not cause excessive bleeding. It can dissolve the fibrin itself or convert plasminogen to plasmin by inducing endogenous t-PA activity to
Read more

Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole: What is the Difference?

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
Fenbendazole for Humans Fenbendazole (also known as fenben) is a veterinary medication used to treat parasites and worms such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, in animals. It is commonly used under brand names like Panacur C and Safe-Guard. Recently, researchers have been experimenting with fenbendazole for humans cancer. Though the studies are limited, what researchers have found so far is promising for cancer patients. Many cancer patients have been following the Fenbendazole for cancer Protocol . However, fenbendazole isn’t the only worming medication that has the potential to fight cancer. Researchers have also been studying how Mebendazole, a drug that can treat worms in humans, could be just as, or even more, effective at shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells. Here’s what you need to know about each of these medications: Fenbendazole vs. Mebendazole Fenbendazole is part of a larger group of drugs known as benzimidazole, which are anthelmintic dr
Read more

How Linoleic Acid Wrecks Your Health (2024) - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The majority of Americans might be misled by official health recommendations to eat “healthy” vegetable oils. Even the term “vegetable oil” is misleading because it gives you the impression that you are receiving vegetable micronutrients when these oils are actually highly toxic, industrially-processed seed oils. Seed oils are some of the most dangerous items you could eat. Tucker Goodrich and Dr Mercola discussed what will be the topic of Dr Mercola's next book, namely linoleic acid (LA), which he believed is likely the leading contributing cause of virtually all chronic diseases we've encountered over the last century. Unfortunately, this is a topic that most clinicians and health care practitioners who focus on natural medicine have only a superficial understanding of.   Goodrich has a business background as a stockbroker and asset manager, and developed an IT risk management system used by two of the largest hedge funds in the w
Read more

NAC vs NAD vs NR vs NMN? What are the Differences?

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
NAC vs NAD vs NR vs NMN ? Due to the small alphabetical differences, these supplements are often mixed up and confused by most consumers. We will cover the essentials and explain about each of these supplements below. NAD NAD is derived from Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). The levels of NAD in our body determine the speed of aging process. In younger cells and tissues, the levels of NAD are higher. As a result, younger people tend to have better physical activity, cognitive function and potential for cell repair and regeneration. As we grow, the levels of NAD in our body start to decline. This is reflected in the form of slowed cognitive response, loss of memory and reduced agility. Research suggests it may be possible to reverse mitochondrial decay with dietary supplements that increase cellular levels of a molecule called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).  NAD is a linchpin of energy metabolism, among other roles, and its diminishing level with age has been implicated in mitochond
Read more

FLCCC I-MASK+ Protocol for COVID-19

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
FLCCC (Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care) I-MASK+ Protocol I-MASK+ Prevention & Early Outpatient Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 was designed for use as a prevention and in early outpatient treatment, for those who test positive for COVID-19. Component nutrients include vitamin D, C, melatonin, quercetin and zinc . All the component medicines are FDA-approved (except ivermectin), inexpensive, readily available and have been used for decades with well-established safety profiles. Please take note that I-MASK+ protocols are now: I-PREVENT protocol for prevention (prophylaxis) I-CARE protocol for early treatment . PREVENTION PROTOCOL As rates of infection with influenza and RSV rose in fall/winter 2022, FLCCC adapted th
Read more

The Key to Reversing All Autoimmune Diseases - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
It has been estimated that over 54.4 million people in the United States have an autoimmune disease  ( R ).   Some of the major ones would be rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Since I have a massive clinical experience with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), I am going to use it as an example of how all autoimmune diseases can be treated. Why? Because they all have similar origins which are related to an antigen sneaking into your body and your immune system confusing it as a foreign invader. The antigen that gets into your system determines which of your body's tissues will be impacted. From the late 1980s and for the following 10 years, I treated over 3,000 patients with rheumatic illnesses, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, polymyositis and dermatomyositis. RA has a devastating prognosis in many patients. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of our population
Read more

Fenbendazole Joe Tippens Protocol: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, or have a loved one that is suffering from cancer, chances are you have heard about the Joe Tippens Cancer Protocol. The Fenbendazole Cancer Protocol has been gaining rapid interest over the past years following some fenbendazole advanced cancer success stories. Joe Tippens  founded the protocol  after he was told a story about a scientist at Merck Animal Health that had been performing cancer research on mice. The research included injecting different types of cancers into different mice body parts. The scientists discovered, through trial and error, a product in their canine product line, fenbendazole, that was batting 1.000 in killing these different cancers in the mice. The scientist was later diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and was given a grim prognosis of only three months to live. She decided to try the fenbendazole, and after six weeks, showed a clean scan. Joe Tippens had been initially diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The can
Read more