Blood monitoring is an essential aspect of training for some, and an "insurance policy" for others. Without optimal physiology you cannot achieve optimal performance. The goal of blood monitoring is to get you to race day with optimal physiology.
Through blood monitoring, the primary factors we are looking at are:
Micronutrients and red blood cell turnover. Endurance training significantly increases utilization rates of certain micronutrients. The most prominent micronutrients influencing performance are those required in red blood cell development and maturation, such as iron, B12, and folate. However, there are several others that play roles in optimal performance. Through understanding an individuals’ micronutrient burn rate and red blood cell turnover tendencies, a proper diet and supplementation program can be created to help optimize performance and health while training.
How well is the athlete tolerating their current training? Through testing hormones, we are able to get a general idea of the amount of recovery time and the ideal recovery methods best suited for the individual being tested. This information helps the individual and coach construct the ideal training and racing schedule. It is also beneficial to check hormones mid-season. This decreases the risk of "cumulative fatigue" as the season progresses. It also helps ensure the individual is going into their “A Race” in the best physiological shape possible.
Prevention. The most simple use of blood monitoring is prevention of overtraining syndromes, pre-anemia, and anemia. By periodically monitoring athletes through the season, we are able to identify developing problems before they become full-blown conditions.
FAQ's
What is blood analysis for performance?
Put simply, it is taking a peek at cellular utilization of micronutrients, red blood cell turnover, and hormone recovery.
How does this improve performance?
Each athlete has different physiology, micronutrient absorption and utilization rates, and recovers from training days and races differently. Through blood analysis, we are able to identify individual variances in these key performance factors. Using this information, we are able to construct nutritional plans, recovery plans, and coaching plans tailored to your unique physiology.
Why does 51 SPEEDSHOP, and nearly every top pro and Olympic triathlete now utilize blood analysis (most through 51 SPEEDSHOP!)?
Because it gives athletes an edge. Not only does it provide potential performance improvements by optimizing micronutrient status, red blood cell turnover, and recovery, but it also results in improved general health and can help prevent common conditions such as pre-anemia, anemia, and "over-training syndrome".
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51 Baseline Panel ($214)
This panel is typically performed once per year during the off-season, or during light training. This panel is more comprehensive than a monitoring panel, and gives greater clues to the general health of the athlete. The purpose is to create baselines by which we can compare tests during the season, as well as assess general “readiness” for intense training.
Contact us to schedule your test