Raptor Advantage
Cyclists need to have excellent aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capacity for sprinting. The Raptor bar can help cyclists gain a competitive edge by helping them meet their nutritional needs to optimize performance and recovery.

Cyclists often have to bike in hot and humid environments for 1-4 hours at a time. Since sweat rates may exceed 2 liters per hour, cyclists are susceptible to dehydration that can drastically reduce performance capacity and increase the risk of heat-related injuries. Therefore, the first goal in optimizing performance of cyclists is to prevent dehydration. Recent research indicates that athletes may need more electrolytes than typically found in sports drinks in order to maintain hydration during intense exercise. The Raptor bar contains recommended levels of sodium and other electrolytes needed to promote hydration and help reduce the incidence of muscle cramping during exercise. In addition, the Raptor bar contains glycerol which has been shown to help promote fluid retention. Cyclists should consume a Raptor bar with fluids about 30-60 minutes before cycling as well as one third of a Raptor bar each hour during a ride in order to promote hydration during exercise.

The second nutritional goal for cyclists is to provide carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels. Competitive cyclists can burn 800 – 1,200 calories per hour. Depletion of muscle glycogen can be a limiting factor in performance. The Raptor bar contains a mixture of fast, intermediate, and slow releasing carbohydrates that can provide a sustained release of carbohydrate over time. Ingesting a Raptor bar 30-60 minutes prior to cycling along with one-third of a Raptor bar each hour during the event and water and sports drinks every 15-20 minutes during exercise can help maintain carbohydrate availability throughout the duration of the ride.

The third nutritional goal to optimize performance of cyclists is to provide nutrients that can enhance exercise performance. Research has shown that sodium and calcium phosphates and β-alanine can help buffer muscle acidity and increase anaerobic threshold. In addition, sodium phosphate supplementation has been reported to increase maximal aerobic capacity and endurance running and cycling performance. The Raptor bar contains high levels of sodium and calcium phosphate that can help cyclists optimize aerobic performance and get the most out of their interval training sessions.

The fourth goal of optimizing performance of cyclists is to minimize the catabolic and immune-suppressive effects of intense exercise. This can help cyclists recover from day to day. The Raptor bar contains the right amount and type of protein and amino acids that can help minimize catabolism during exercise and promote protein synthesis after exercise. The Raptor bar also contains a rich source of antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, and taurine) that have been reported to minimize the effects of intense exercise on muscle damage. In addition, the Raptor bar contains high levels of nutrients that support the immune system (i.e., L-glutamine, Vitamin C, zinc). Ingesting a Raptor bar within 30-minutes after training and performance can help cyclists recover from intense exercise and tolerate training to a better degree.

Exercise

• 10-14 hours per week of distance and interval cycling
  
  
• 1-2 hours per week of resistance training
  
  

Nutrition

• Fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration and muscle cramping
  
  
• Carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels and exercise capacity throughout the event
  
  
• Nutrients that support aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold
  
  
• Protein/amino acids and antioxidants to reduce muscle breakdown, oxidative stress, and muscle damage from exercise
  
  
• Nutrients to promote recovery and support the immune system following exercise

Refueling

• Consume a high carbohydrate/low fat meal 3-4 hours prior to training sessions and/or events
  
  
• Ingest one Raptor bar 30-60 minutes prior to training sessions and/or events
  
  
• Consume 1-2 cups of water and/or sports drinks every 15-20 minutes during exercise with a goal of not losing more that 2% of body weight (e.g., 3-4 lbs for a 150-200 lbs athlete) as a result of dehydration during exercise
  
  
• Ingest one-third of a Raptor bar with fluids each hour during a ride
  
  
• Ingest one Raptor bar within 30 minutes following training sessions and/or events
  
  
• Consume a high carbohydrate/low fat meal within 2 hours following training sessions and/or events
  
  
• Consume enough fluids to regain weight lost from exercise (3 cups per pound lost)
  
  
• Consume Raptor bars as a nutrient dense snack between meals and training sessions