09.19.03

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Q: Joe,
I was wondering if you saw the article on David Boston in ESPN The Magazine? He looked like a pro bodybuilder! The article stated that his trainer supplies an IV drip of magnesium and other minerals after every practice. I have 3 questions about this: #1) Is this legal? #2) What does this do? #3) What can “normal” people do to achieve a similar effect?

Thanks for your insight.
Al

Body by magnesium???

A: Al,
The article you are referring to definitely caused a “buzz” in the athletic community. David Boston is truly a freak of nature.

To answer your first question; No, an IV drip of magnesium is NOT illegal. You see, one of the first things to get “depressed” in athletes is their magnesium level. Physical stress, mental stress and excessive sweating are all common causes of low magnesium levels. Extra magnesium in the body drives the Krebs cycle for more ATP. This extra magnesium can have a profound effect on an athlete’s performance and overall feeling of well-being. Magnesium also enhances muscular contractions. So an IV drip of magnesium is a great way to help an athlete recover and perform.

Magnesium is, without question, one of the most over-looked supplements in an athlete’s supplementation program. So the trainer that they were referring to in the article is definitely onto something. He knows what he’s doing.

Now, is it practical for a “normal” person to have a nurse come to the gym after every workout and administer an IV drip of magnesium? Of course not! But, I would highly recommend supplementing your diet with extra magnesium. Although the pill form of magnesium can never compare with the absorption rate of an IV drip, there are better forms of the supplement to look for. After consulting with my good friend, nutrition guru Dr. Tom Bilella, he informed me that magnesium glycinate is the best bet with regards to magnesium supplementation. It has the best absorption rate of all the oral forms of magnesium. Try 400-600mg in the morning, afternoon and before bed.

Let me know how it goes. If you start looking like David Boston, we might be onto something!

Joe D.

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Q: Joe,
I was wondering how often I should be pee-ing. I understand hydration is important. Please elaborate on this issue as it has been on my mind almost all summer. Also, does the color of the pee tell you anything?

John I.

A: John,
Let me get this straight. You spent “almost all summer” thinking about urine?! You may have some serious issues. You might want to re-submit your question to a psychiatrist. Your problem may be beyond the scope of the “Ask Joe” section of this website.

I’m just kidding. Actually, your question is a legitimate one. Proper hydration is one of the keys to athletic performance. This is another topic that I discussed with Dr. Tom Bilella this past week.

As a healthy, young athlete, you can be urinating 3-4 times an hour with no worries. (You should be aware, though, that one of the first signs of diabetes is frequent urination.) But, if you’re a healthy athlete that’s working out and drinking plenty of water, you will be urinating frequently.

As for the color of your urine - it should be clear. Clear urine is a sign that your body is getting rid of toxins, you’re well-hydrated, your kidneys are functioning properly and it’s an overall sign of good health.

It is important to know that a high protein diet, accompanied by intense training, can contribute to a loss of important minerals in your body - especially magnesium and potassium. So make sure you supplement your diet with these 2 minerals, especially if you’re a person who doesn’t eat a lot of vegetables.

Now go have a bottle of Poland Spring!
Joe D.

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Q: Joe,
First of all, I want to commend you on an incredible website. (I checked it out after I saw you speak 2 weeks ago at the high school.) The information you are sharing with the athletic community is truly cutting-edge. I wish I had someone like you when I was playing sports (many many years ago).

Now for my question. I have a 13-year-old daughter who plays soccer and basketball. I’ve read a lot about the importance of plyometric training for athletes. I’m a little confused as to when I can get my daughter started on a plyometric program. I recently read a study that said you shouldn’t start plyometrics until you could squat twice your bodyweight. Is this true? I don’t want to jeopardize my daughter’s health so I thought I would consult with a professional first.
Thanks so much and keep up the great work!

Bob

A: Bob,
Thanks for the encouragement. I love what I do and I’m glad I can help others achieve their goals.

Your question is a common one. Many parents and coaches are very confused when the topic of plyometrics comes up. The answer to your question is, no, you DO NOT need a base level of strength to perform plyometrics. The last time I checked, the 5 and 6-year-old kids playing hopscotch and jumping rope didn’t check their 1-rep max in the barbell squat before they went outside to play. And even though they have very low levels of strength, they didn’t injure themselves either. Remember that any running or jumping activity is considered a “plyometric”. So if your daughter is playing basketball and soccer, she is already performing plyometrics. And yes, hopscotch and jumping rope would both be considered plyometrics.

There is a catch, though. Although you don’t need a strength base to perform the above-mentioned plyometrics, your strength levels WILL affect the complexity of the plyometric exercises you can perform. For example, depth jumps off a 24” box shouldn’t be performed by young kids with low levels of strength. They should be reserved for advanced athletes who are strong.

I would suggest focusing on increasing your daughter’s relative body strength before doing any “extra” plyometrics. Have her perform push-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, low-back raises, bodyweight squats and single leg squats with her back foot on a chair. Also, teach her how to land properly from a jump. I feel focusing on these aspects will be better for your daughter’s performance and health.

Keep me posted on her progress and email me if you have any more questions.

Best of luck.
Joe D.

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