Failing NCAA Drug Tests: Who's To Blame

Being in the business of evaluating an evergrowing volume of nutritional supplements, it is important to understand many of the implications that surround the use of these performance enhancing drugs. The NCAA has a general list of the types of supplements and classes of drugs that are considered banned substances, but the problem is that the market is just flooded with thousands of banned supplement ingredients that can hide behind chemical names. Recent examples of this are the use of products like Jacked3D and Pure Power that make claims of increased endurance and improved recovery without the disclosure of it's NCAA banned substance DMAA. This makes it hard for even the qualified individual to know what athletes might be taking. In this article found in The Sports Digest, you will read about collegiate athletes that have fallen victim to the ever confusing world of nutritional supplementation and how the NCAA governs its use.
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Trick or Treat Training Table

The LSU Football players enjoyed a fun and delicious "Beat Bama" & Halloween themed meal last night at their Training Table dinner. The upcoming LSU vs. Alabama game prompted a special menu consisting of a variety of proteins including: "Elephant Ribs", "Elephant Trunk", "Elephant Ears", and "Elephant Legs." All of the vegetables and starches were Purple & Gold, and several LSU decorated desserts were available for a mid-week sweet treat. 


We wish our Tigers the best of luck this weekend as they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide!

Check out the Training Table festivities below:

Showing off some dance moves...

LSU Basketball players enjoying their dinner after a hard team practice.

A Team of Champions: LSU Athletic Trainers, Strength & Conditioning Coaches, and Sports Dietitian

The collaborative relationship of the LSU Athletic Trainers, Strength & Conditioning Coaches, and Sports Dietitian is unquestionably one of the most crucial aspects of ensuring the health and success of all student-athletes. These professionals work hand in hand on a daily basis, utilizing their expertise in order to: Prevent and Treat injuries/illness; Build strength and Enhance stamina both physically and mentally; and Educate and Promote optimal sports nutrition and dietary habits.

Read more about the team effort of the LSU Athletic Trainers, Strength & Conditioning Coaches, and Sports Dietitian in the LSU Daily Reveille: CLICK HERE 

Busted in the NFL: Stimulant Medications

A recent article in Yahoo Sports uncovered the personal and financial cost of NFL Cinncinati Bengal's cornerback Joe Haden's apparent inappropriate use of Adderall. Stimulant medications are considered performance enhancing drugs and therefore fall under the guidelines of the NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug Policy. These same rules apply to collegiate student-athletes that play under the guidelines of the NCAA. To read more about the financial toll of this decision on Hayden's paycheck click here.

A look back at 2012 Pre-Season: LSU Football, Soccer, & Volleyball

The 2012 LSU Football, Soccer, and Volleyball teams reported a few weeks before the start of the Fall Semester to prepare for their seasons ahead. For all teams, pre-season camp consisted of intense 2-a-day practices, team workouts, and meetings with: Academics, Compliance, Media, Athletic Training, and Nutrition.

The extreme physical demand of camp requires adequate fuel and hydration for all athletes. Both nutrition education and fueling strategies were implemented to keep the Tigers energized to endure long & hot practices and to ensure full-body recovery.


Here are some photos highlighting our FUELED TIGERS:

ATHLETIC TRAINING TABLE

The first 3 photos are of our Athletic Training Table. Connected to "The 5" dining hall, the training table provides Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during Pre-season camp and Dinner during the Fall & Spring semesters. Registered Dietitians (RD): Briggette Mosley- Director of Athletic Dining and Jamie Mascari- Coordinator of Sports Nutrition work together closely on the menu, which changes daily and consists of a variety of wholesome foods and beverages for the athletes.

Both RD's attend each meal and assist the athletes with food selection and questions they may have concerning diet and nutrition. Each food item is labeled with a color-coded meal card signifying the fat/calorie content and an explanation of how that particular food helps with athletic performance and/or recovery. Educational flyers are posted around the Training Table as additional resources for the athletes.

VOLLEYBALL

The Volleyball athletes enjoyed a light and healthy lunch during their first 2-a-day practice. They got to build their own plate by choosing from a variety of whole grain breads or wraps, lean deli meats, fresh veggies, low fat cheeses and condiments, and side items such as yogurt, fruit, crackers, hummus, and salsa.

For the second year, the Volleyball team, coaches, athletic trainers, and managers got to enjoy a home cooked dinner by their Sports RD. After a long day of practice, this dinner is a way for the entire team and support staff to get together, relax, eat, and learn some easy ways of healthy food preparation. Here's what was on the menu:

Appetizer: Vegetable Bean Dip and Multi-grain tortilla chips

Entree: Jamie's Mexican Gumbo over Brown Rice (Chicken Thighs, Turkey Sausage, Onions, Green/Red Bell Peppers, Reduced Sodium Taco Seasoning)

Vegetable: Sautéed Squash and Zucchini seasoned with Dill Weed

Dessert: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches 

(All packed up about to transport the food to Coach Jill's house)

 

 (Team enjoying their Mexican Gumbo!)

SOCCER

The Soccer athletes started their pre-season on the right foot. They attended a sports nutrition seminar and learned how diet plays a huge part in their success on the soccer field, in the weight room, in the classroom, and in their day-to-day lives. Some of the topics covered included: Importance of Breakfast, Hydration, Snacks, Recovery Nutrition, and the Pros/ Cons/ Safety Concerns of Supplements.

Many pre and post practice meals were catered in for the soccer team. Some of these restaurants included Jimmy Johns, Pita Pit, Zoe's Kitchen, and New York Bagel. To ensure proper food choices, the LSU Sports RD analyzed each restaurant menu and provided a list of recommendations. The team used this list each time they placed their order.

The team endured several early morning practices but got to look forward to post-practice breakfast at Louie's Cafe, a popular Baton Rouge diner established in 1941. The Sports RD gave the athletes a modified menu that encouraged nutritious food choices and promoted optimal recovery.

WATERMELON

On the last day of camp, it is a tradition for the LSU Football team, coaches, and support staff to cool off and celebrate the end of camp with some refreshing Watermelon. The LSU Athletic Training graduate assistants and Sports RD sliced over 20 watermelons and served it after practice on August 18th. Even though the weather did not cooperate as we would have liked it to, it was a great way to ring in the 2012 season!

Athletes and Supplements Under More Scrutiny than Ever

Sports and dietary supplements have become extremely popular and widespread among the athletic population. It is crucial to understand that many of these supplements are 1. Not regulated by the FDA for safety 2. Not proven to be effective in its intended purpose and 3. Possible causes of positive drug tests. Athletes of all ages, sports, and experience are highly advised to speak with a Sports RD and/or Certified Athletic Trainer before taking any type of supplement/substance. 

The NSF Athletes and Supplements Under More Scrutiny than Ever Info-graphic demonstrates how accidental doping as a result of taking a contaminated supplement is a real and preventable issue. Several Olympic and professional athletes have learned this lesson the hard way, many paying the price with damage to their reputation, loss of salary, or their shot at competing.

All athletes should take this information seriously in order to prevent risking their athletic career in addition to their health. A healthy diet is ALWAYS the best "sport supplement." Focus on FOOD FIRST, and if the need for a supplement arises, be sure to meet with the appropriate sports medicine professional for safe recommendations.

Click HERE for the NSF Graphic demonstration of Athletes and Supplements Under More Scrutiny than Ever.

Source: NSF International