Raptor Advantage
Competitive skiers typically train for 2-3 hours per day, 5-6 days/week. They also lift weights and do conditioning drills for another 2-3 hours per week. They need to have excellent anaerobic capacity and muscular endurance for events that typically last 1.5 to 2 minutes in duration. Water skiers often ski for 5 or more minutes at a time. They also have to have a good aerobic capacity to quickly recover from sprint intervals. The Raptor bar can help skiers gain a competitive edge by helping them meet their nutritional needs to optimize performance and recovery.

The first nutritional goal to optimize performance of skiers 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. The Raptor bar contains high levels of sodium and calcium phosphate and β-alanine content that can help skiers optimize aerobic performance and get the most out of their interval training sessions. Ingesting a Raptor bar 30-60 minutes prior to training and competition can provide nutrients to support sprint performance and recovery.

The second goal of optimizing performance of skiers is to minimize the catabolic and immune-suppressive effects of intense exercise. This is particularly true for athletes competing and training at altitude. 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. Antioxidants have been reported to be even more effective for athletes engaged in training and competition at altitude. The Raptor bar also contains high levels of nutrients that support the immune system (i.e., L-glutamine, Vitamin C, zinc). Ingesting a Raptor bar 30-60 minutes prior to training and performance can help skiers minimize the catabolic and immune-suppressive effects of intense exercise.

Skiers typically have to compete in a number of heats throughout a 1-2 day event. They often have to be on the slopes or on the water for prolonged periods of times. It is often challenging to plan meals and snacks around competition. Therefore, the third nutritional goal for skiers is to provide carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels throughout the duration of a track meet. 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 training and as snacks throughout a competition can help skiers maintain exercise performance.

The final nutritional goal for skiers is to provide nutrients after training sessions and competition to promote recovery. Ingesting carbohydrate, protein/amino acids, electrolytes, anti-oxidants, and nutrients that support the immune system can help skiers recover from intense exercise and tolerate training to a better degree.

Exercise

• 2-3 hours per day of interval sprint training (5-6 days per week)
  
  
• 2-3 hours per week of resistance training and conditioning drills

Nutrition

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

Refueling

• Consume a moderate to 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 training
  
  
• 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 Raptor bars as a nutrient dense snack between meals and training sessions