Raptor Advantage
Wrestlers typically train for 3-4 hours per day, 5-6 days/week. They need to have excellent anaerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and stamina to withstand grueling training. Although most wrestlers compete in bouts with 2 minute rounds, training for competitive wrestlers is very demanding. This includes running 3-5 miles per day; 2-4 hours of wrestling training and conditioning; and, resistance training. They also have to train heavily while trying to make weight which requires maintaining training while on a low calorie diet. The Raptor bar can help wrestlers gain a competitive edge by helping them optimize nutrient availability prior to and following training sessions.

The first nutritional goal for wrestlers is to provide carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels. This is particularly important during long training sessions and matches in which wrestlers can’t ingest fluids or nutrients. Ingesting carbohydrate prior to training and competition is also important for wrestlers dieting in order to make weight. 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 can help wrestlers fuel training and competition.

The second nutritional goal to optimize performance of wrestlers 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. Having a good aerobic capacity can help wrestlers recover from rounds. The Raptor bar contains high levels of sodium and calcium phosphate that can help wrestlers optimize aerobic performance and get the most out of their training sessions.

The third goal of optimizing performance of wrestlers is to minimize the catabolic and immune-suppressive effects of intense exercise. This can help wrestlers recover from workout to workout. 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). Wrestlers who train while dieting are particularly susceptible for upper respiratory tract infections. Ingesting a Raptor bar within 30-minutes after training and performance can help wrestlers recover from intense exercise and tolerate training to a better degree.

Exercise

• 2-3 hours of endurance running per week
  
  
• 2-4 hours per day of wrestling training and conditioning (5-6 days per week)
  
  
• 1-2 hours per week of resistance training and conditioning drills

Nutrition

• Carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels and exercise capacity throughout training
  
  
• Nutrients that support anaerobic 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-fourth to one-third of a Raptor bar with fluids after completing the swim and each hour during the bike portion of the triathlon
  
  
• 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