November 19, 2020 3 min read

First responders are tasked with the physically demanding duty of putting their lives on the line for their communities. In the process of saving lives, it can be easy to forget about their own needs when the needs of their community seem more urgent.

When serving the community for prolonged periods, first responders run the risk of becoming fatigued due to dehydration, energy depletion, and temperature imbalance [1].

The risks of not being optimally prepared are numerous, including an increased risk of sudden cardiac death [2].

Though one option to increase endurance in first responders is carbohydrate loading, there are several side effects such as energy crash and weight gain [3].

In a field requiring as much muscular strength and aerobic capacity as emergency services, it is crucial to nourish the body with the proper nutrients to promote muscle growth, endurance, and recovery.

Though it may be tempting to use carbohydrate-heavy or chemically based supplements, there are more natural and convenient supplements that are scientifically backed for promoting endurance and recovery.

BCAA Endurance & Recovery is a custom-made nutritional supplement formulated with first responders in mind.

Containing optimal amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), other amino acids, and electrolytes, this supplement enhances power, muscle growth, and cellular support for continuous peak performance.

BCAA Complex (2:1:1)

BCAAs, such as L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine, support maximal endurance and recovery by promoting muscle synthesis and preventing muscle breakdown [4].

Regarding endurance, studies have demonstrated that there is a dose-dependent increase in muscle formation when taking supplements containing BCAAs [5].

On the frontier of post-workout recovery, BCAA-containing supplements may significantly reduce inflammation and muscle damage [6].

By attenuating muscle damage, a 2:1:1 ratio of BCAA supplements has also been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve athletic performance by increasing the rate of muscular strength recovery [7].

These findings suggest that BCAA-rich supplements may provide the extra boost needed for optimal muscle recovery.

Betaine

Betaine (trimethylglycine) is a derivative of a naturally produced amino acid and is recognized as highly beneficial to stamina, endurance and recovery in athletic individuals.

Especially advantageous for first responders who often rely on upper body strength, betaine supplementation has been shown to increase performance by increasing the intensity and ability to sustain muscular force and power [8].

Supporting overall strength, betaine supplementation also improves the muscle composition of the whole body [9].

Electrolytes

First responders who work very long shifts and those who respond to unstable conditions are at a high risk of becoming volume depleted by sweating and heat loss [10].

Replenishing electrolytes like magnesium, sodium, and potassium is vital for the prevention of fatigue and muscle damage [11].

Optimal endurance and recovery during any physically demanding mission requires several nutrients to simultaneously work together. In addition to improving muscular performance, BCAA and electrolyte supplementation can boost brain performance [12].

Designed for first responders, BCAA Endurance & Recovery can promote peak physical strength and overall wellness.

Click Here To Learn More About BCAA

References

  • Jeukendrup AE. Nutrition for endurance sports: marathon, triathlon, and road cycling. J Sports Sci. 2011;29 Suppl 1:S91-S99. doi:10.1080/02640414.2011.610348
  • Smith DL. Firefighter fitness: improving performance and preventing injuries and fatalities. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2011;10(3):167-172. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31821a9fec
  • Sandberg PR. Carbohydrate loading and deploying forces. Mil Med. 1999;164(9):636-642.
  • Hulmi JJ, Lockwood CM, Stout JR. Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010;7:51. Published 2010 Jun 17. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-7-51
  • Børsheim E, Tipton K, Wolf S, Wolfe R. Essential amino acids and muscle protein recovery from resistance exercise. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2002;283(4):E648-E657. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00466.2001
  • Matsui Y, Takayanagi S, Ohira T, et al. Effect of a leucine-enriched essential amino acids mixture on muscle recovery. J Phys Ther Sci. 2019;31(1):95-101. doi:10.1589/jpts.31.95
  • Waldron M, Whelan K, Jeffries O, Burt D, Howe L, Patterson SD. The effects of acute branched-chain amino acid supplementation on recovery from a single bout of hypertrophy exercise in resistance-trained athletes. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2017;42(6):630-636. doi:10.1139/apnm-2016-0569
  • Lee EC, Maresh CM, Kraemer WJ, et al. Ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation on strength and power performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010;7:27. Published 2010 Jul 19. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-27
  • Cholewa JM, Wyszczelska-Rokiel M, Glowacki R, et al. Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):39. Published 2013 Aug 22. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-39
  • Holsworth RE Jr, Cho YI, Weidman J. Effect of hydration on whole blood viscosity in firefighters. Altern Ther Health Med. 2013;19(4):44-49.
  • Zorbas YG, Kakurin VJ, Kuznetsov NA, Yarullin VL. Fluid and salt supplementation effect on body hydration and electrolyte homeostasis during bed rest and ambulation. Acta Astronaut. 2002;50(12):765-774. doi:10.1016/s0094-5765(02)00012-7
  • Zhang N, Du SM, Zhang JF, Ma GS. Effects of Dehydration and Rehydration on Cognitive Performance and Mood among Male College Students in Cangzhou, China: A Self-Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(11):1891. Published 2019 May 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph16111891

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