This special article takes a look back at how to be the ultimate Abstract Athlete
Want to perform better or for longer?
Drink coffee before running. Listen to fast-paced music during exercise. Drink beetroot juice. Take ketone supplements. Listen to your favourite music during warm up. Avoid sauna use the day before. Train your breathing muscles. Avoid blood donation 2 weeks before competitions. Take pomegranate extract. Use poles for hill walking. Buy the Nike Vaporfly. Train with an altitude mask. Eat breakfast. Maintain electrolytes with non-alcoholic beer. Drink energy drinks.
Want to lose weight?
Do running HIIT. Do cycling HIIT. Drink beetroot juice to exercise for longer. Do 16/8 intermittent fasting. Choose your post-exercise snack before you exercise. Don’t wear any fitness trackers.
Want to improve recovery?
Wear calf compression sleeves before exercise. Listen to slow-paced music during cool down. Stretch for a 4% improvement in DOMS. Take a quick ice bath at half time. Avoid ice baths if you’re bulking up. Run on softer surfaces to reduce injury.
Want to sleep better?
Eat kiwifruit before bed. Eat a high glycaemic index meal before bed.
Want to improve your health and mental health?
Do resistance (weights) exercise. Drink apple and blackcurrant drinks before dinner to reduce the glycaemic index.
Want to reduce pain?
Think nostalgic thoughts.
Summary of 2020
What a crazy year it has been! Abstract Athlete has been 5 years in the making, but it took a global pandemic to find the time to get it off the ground! These articles highlight the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of scientific research and I hope they have at least raised an eyebrow or better, brought a smile to your face.
In the current climate of fake news and alternative facts, Abstract Athlete, as always, encourages you to remain vigilant and to do your own research. Science is based on averages, so what works for you, might not work for others. As a reminder, the content presented here is for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes advice, recommendations, guidance or endorsements for training methods, tools, techniques, or nutritional or supplementary intake. Any activities undertaken in relation to the content provided here are undertaken entirely at your own risk. Finally, I thank you for reading and for your (hopefully) ongoing support!
Abstract Athlete 