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During my crewing experience in the european championship in Roma, I noticed
that lots of riders where administering pure honey at crewing point, let's
say every 20 km. I'm very surprised that this could improve the performance
of their horse, event it should be the contrary.
I didn't see that during my 2 rides in the States. What is your opinion about
that???
Leonard, from Belgium>>
Leonard,
I can understand why honey would be beneficial--several ways. First, it's
simple sugar and will go right to work providing energy. Second, there are
two general types of fatigue--local and central. When blood glucose drops,
exercise performance is reduced by the brain.
During post exercise recovery, Insulin Growth Factor (IGF) either goes to
work, or is shut down, for hours or days, because the brain may be sending
out catabolic signals in order to bring blood glucose back to normal. If this
occurs, the horse's body is in a catabolic state, tearing down tissue instead
of rebuilding it. Thus, sugar, given quickly post-ex. may be the most
anabolic substance known to mankind.
Honey is very effective in this regard because it is quick into the
bloodstream. Longer chained sugars might work better as pre-exercise
nutrients because of big blood glucose variations--we don't want big
fluctuations on the day of performance. Once the event is underway, though,
fast acting sugars are appropriate.
ti
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