Dec 16, 2015Washington Capitals Tailor Player Nutrition
In order to boost players’ performance, the Washington Capitals have added a nutritional component to the team’s off-ice training strategy. Along with providing breakfast and lunch for the players, each player is given nutrients and supplements tailored to their specific physiology.
According to an article in the Washington Post, each member of the team had blood tests to examine vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as hormonal and adrenal levels. The results were then analyzed by a physician hired by the team. With the analysis, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainer, nutritionist, and chef considered the best ways to improve each player’s weaknesses.
“You’re a little more apt to believe somebody when they tell you something and then all of a sudden, they bust out your blood-work sheet and your levels are just through the roof in something and bottomed out in another,” Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt told the Washington Post. “Those numbers don’t lie.”
Along with monitoring the players’ blood-work at the beginning and mid-point of the season, the Capitals players’ body weight is often measured after games. If the players show a big decline, the next day’s practice may be canceled and replaced with a light workout to help with recovery.
“You know, salary cap, you can only spend so much, so how can you get an advantage?” Washington Capitals Coach Barry Trotz told the Washington Post. “You can get your advantage scouting, coaching, development and giving your players the sports science of it, everything from nutrition to biomechanics. And that’s what you can use for your advantage.”
