{"id":245,"date":"2021-02-28T12:37:29","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T17:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikerouleaumentalskills.optimalmentalgame.com\/?p=245"},"modified":"2021-03-04T17:26:57","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T22:26:57","slug":"rinse-and-spit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikerouleaumentalskills.optimalmentalgame.com\/?p=245","title":{"rendered":"Rinse and Spit!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

No, this is not a post about going to the dentist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image used under license<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Instead, it is a tip that I have implemented personally after having read the book \u201cPeak\u201d by Dr. Mark Bubbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In his book, published in 2019, Dr. Bubbs covers a lot of territory including chapters on sleep, nutrition, exercise recovery, brain health, mindset, coaching, and others.  I enjoyed reading his book immensely.  One area that he covered that I was not previously familiar with, was the concept of a \u201ccarbohydrate mouth rinse\u201d.  He explained how scientists had discovered that injecting glucose directly into the bloodstream had relatively little impact on athletic performance, but that simply swishing a carbohydrate rinse in the mouth had a significant impact. As it turns out, there are glucose receptors in the mouth that are hard-wired to the brain.  Stimulating those receptors with glucose \u201ccan provide an amplified neural signal to the muscles that might give you a performance edge\u201d (p. 128). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further studies have indicated that the muscles controlling the eyes are also benefactors of this type of stimulus, so a simple swish of a carbohydrate rinse can actually improve eye acuity and visual perception!  We all know what better eye acuity can do for any eye \/ hand coordination sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image used under license<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here is one article of many that you can find if you google the topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/suppversity.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/carbohydrate-mouth-rinses-activate.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how does a recreational athlete integrate a carb mouth rinse?  Simple. I just carry along a small bottle of Gatorade (the type with actual sugar in it).  Here is my preferred one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I simply take a sip prior to the start of competition, and then periodically throughout a competition – swish it around my mouth and after a few seconds, swallow it.\u00a0 One small bottle (12 oz.) will last me the entire day.\u00a0 I also keep a bottle of water or two with me at all times for additional hydration.\u00a0 Keeping your eyes (and body) properly hydrated during competition is extremely important to maintain good acuity as well.\u00a0 It is also important not to overdo the sugar!\u00a0 A little bit will provide the desired effect.\u00a0 A shooter I compete and practice with often cuts his Gatorade with water.\u00a0 In my case, too heavy a dose of sugar will result in a migraine headache.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever watched an NHL hockey game in person or on TV, you have probably seen a lot of \u201crinsing and spitting\u201d going on.  Now you understand the science of what those professional athletes are doing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image used under license<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Will doing a carb rinse dramatically alter your performance?  Perhaps not, but I am reminded of my days as a sailboat racer.  Prior to each race, we would scrub the bottom of the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image used under license<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The impact of doing that was probably minimal in that it truly wasn\u2019t fouled to start with, but from a mental skills standpoint, scrubbing the bottom was a ritual that communicated to our sub-conscious that we had done every bit of preparation possible to make the boat go as fast as it physically could go.  The rest was up to us!  The same goes for preparation before any event.  If you incorporate small improvements like this, you are chipping away at anything that can prevent your own peak performance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, please feel free to give the \u201crinse and spit\u201d approach a try and see what it does for you!  You might like the results!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those interested in Dr. Bubbs\u2019 book, here is the amazon link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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