THE SCIENCE BEHIND CR7 DRIVE

Beyond an athlete’s genetic makeup and optimised training plan, it has been suggested that the best way to ensure optimal performance during prolonged endurance events is through carbohydrate and fluid intake1. That’s why Herbalife collaborated with world-renowned footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, to create a new sports nutrition product that would take hydration and performance to the next level. Here, we look at some of the main benefits of new product CR7 Drive, and reveal the science behind them.

#01BENEFIT:

CR7 Drive enhances water uptake during exercise*

*Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise

THE SCIENCE: Sweating is your body’s way of regulating temperature. During physical exercise you sweat between 0.5 to 2 litres of fluid per hour, although the amount will depend on exercise intensity, environmental circumstances (such as hot weather) and your individual propensity. Sweating not only causes you to lose water, but it also causes the body to lose small amounts of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. As dehydration leads to poorer aerobic performance and increased perceived effort, replacement of fluid and electrolytes during exercise needs to be of the highest priority.

#02BENEFIT:

CR7 Drive helps you to sustain endurance performance during prolonged exercise**

**Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise

THE SCIENCE: During a workout, your body fatigues as a result of the depletion of its carbohydrate reserves, and dehydration due to loss of water and electrolytes in sweat; both of which hinder sports performance. Fortunately, there is scientific agreement on the role of carbohydrateelectrolyte drinks such as CR7 Drive in maintaining performance during prolonged exercise. Studies also show that compared to plain water, carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions help to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, enhance water uptake during exercise and help to sustain your level of performance at the end of a long and hard training session or race2,3,4,5. As a result, products such as CR7 Drive are a great choice to help keep you fuelled for fitness from start to finish.

#03BENEFIT:

Use CR7 Drive after hard training and/or competition to aid recovery of muscle function***

***Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function (contraction) after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle

THE SCIENCE: Science has shown that consumption of foods containing glucoseproviding carbohydrates immediately after strenuous exercise can aid the recovery of normal muscle function. However, to gain the beneficial effects, a substantial amount must be consumed in the 4-6 hours following strenuous exercise. To put this into context, a person weighing 70 kg would need to consume 280 g carbohydrates within 4-6 hours post-workout: a fairly difficult feat for most people! Fortunately, more than 75 % of the kilojoules in a serving of CR7 Drive are derived from these quick-absorbing carbohydrates which quickly enter the bloodstream in the form of glucose. 'Strenuous exercise' is defined as highly intensive or longlasting physical exercise that leads to muscle fatigue, depletion of carbohydrate (glycogen) energy stores in muscles and the feeling of no longer being able to sustain the activity at the same level6.

THE RESULT?

Consuming carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions such as CR7 Drive during prolonged endurance exercise helps to enhance absorption of water and maintain endurance performance. When consumed after strenuous exercise, it also supports recovery of normal muscle function. To ensure you train at your best, put CR7 Drive at the top of the list of foods that form your post-workout recovery meal plan!

Herbalife24® CR7 Drive

Herbalife24® CR7 Drive 15 Packets

Source: http://www.herbalifetoday.com/za/