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Beetroot juice improves endurance performance
©Dani Vincek Shutterstock

Beetroot juice improves endurance performance

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Published: 16 February 2025

Consuming beetroot juice, which contains a lot of nitrate, is a new trend in the world of sports over the past few years. Supplementing with dietary nitrates may improve performance because it enhances muscle efficiency and oxygen supply to the muscles. But it's also a bit controversial because the consumption of nitrate was always associated with possible health risks.

Last Updated: 20 February 2025
Hits: 174
Nutritional strategies to optimise your immune system
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Nutritional strategies to optimise your immune system

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Published: 26 January 2025

Athletes engaged in heavy training programmes, or in the final preparation for competition, appear more susceptible to infection than the general population. This increased susceptibility to infection arises due to exercise- or training-induced suppression of the immune system. Nutritional practices can help to maintain or improve immune function and limit the risk of illness compromising training and competitive performance.

Last Updated: 16 February 2025
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Healthy nutrition for swimmers
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Healthy nutrition for swimmers

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Published: 24 January 2025

Compared to most other athletes, competitive swimmers typically have more training sessions per week and often begin swimming at a younger age. A balanced diet is not only essential for optimising performance but also for enhancing recovery between training sessions. For young swimmers, it is equally important to consume adequate energy for growth and development. Therefore, good nutrition should be more than just a sports bar and sports drink during a competition.

Last Updated: 16 February 2025
Hits: 219
Carbohydrates are an important fuel for athletes
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Carbohydrates are an important fuel for athletes

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Published: 24 January 2025

Nowadays, you read and hear everywhere that low-carbohydrate diets are the best for losing weight, maintaining a healthy diet, and even improving sports performance. However, there is no scientific evidence for these claims. On the other hand, there is lots of scientific evidence that a high-carbohydrate diet is crucial for good sport performance, and low glycogen levels can even impair your sports performance. When exercise intensity increases, carbohydrates are the main fuel for athletes.

Last Updated: 16 February 2025
Hits: 202

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Popular

Training too hard for a criterium

Training too hard for a criterium
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Criteriums are very popular among cyclists. They can be found everywhere and at every level. These races typically last from half an hour to two hours, consisting of short laps around an industrial estate or through a village. The intensity during these races is extremely high; even before the final sprint, hundreds of high-power efforts are performed. Whether you are accelerating after a corner, maintaining your position in the group, or participating in a prime sprint, there is no doubt that criteriums require a significant effort.

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Can you train for a full triathlon in a year?

Can you train for a full triathlon in a year?
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A full triathlon (Ironman) is seen by many as the ultimate challenge. Three sports: 3.8km swimming, 180km cycling, and a marathon. How far in advance should you start training to complete your ultimate challenge, and how many hours per week should you train? For most athletes, it should be possible to train for a full triathlon within a year. Of course, it becomes easier if you already have experience in one of the sports and are reasonably fit. In this article, I explain what is needed to complete a full triathlon.

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Warm-up and cool-down for cyclo-cross racers

Warm-up and cool-down for cyclo-cross racers

A good warm-up is essential to prepare yourself physically and mentally for a race and to optimise your performance. Especially if you're participating in a tough race like a cyclo-cross. Your recovery and adaptation process begins immediately after the race. A cool-down accelerates this process and can be seen as the first preparation for the next workout or race. What is the best thing you can do before and after a cyclo-cross race?

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