athletes

More and more athletes are drinking pickle juice to avoid cramps. This is what nutritional science says

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For a few days now, there has been no other topic of conversation in the world of elite sports: athletes like Carlos Alcaraz or Tadej Pogačar have exchanged the most advanced isotonic drinks in the world for something much simpler and pedestrian: pickle brine. When we talk about elite sport, the line that separates brilliant ideas, absurd fashions and the most delusional superstitions is very finite. So we’ve asked ourselves… Does all this make sense? But let’s explain it well. In endurance and high-performance sports, the idea of ​​always carrying “pickle juice” (the brine from pickles) or other products inspired by it has become popular to “cut off cramps when they have already started.” And it makes sense that it has caught on. To begin with, because cramps associated with exercise are one of the most frustrating things there is. Furthermore, for years, we have missed the mark: we thought they were a product of dehydration and lack of salts, but everything seems to indicate that They are something much more multifactorial than it seemed. In fact, everything seems to indicate that the main problem has more to do with altered neuromuscular control than anything else. And in this context pickles arrive. Because yes we have evidence (somewhat limited, it’s true) which shows that brining works. Although not because of what we usually believe: researchers realized that the mechanism works too quickly for it to be a matter of electrolyte replacement. There is simply no time for physiology to do its job. So? The truth is that the mechanism in question is still mysterious. It seems that the hypothesis stronger right now is that these liquids play with the oropharyngeal reflex: a very acidic/irritant/aggressive taste could stimulate certain receptors and, as a consequence, trigger a neurological reaction that resets and adjusts neuromuscular control. And this is important because, if so, they do not replace (strictly speaking) to isotonic drinks if they are necessary. At least, not in the short term. Does it make sense? On a purely scientific level, I think the most reasonable thing to do is to think that we have some evidence to suggest that it works in some people. However, let’s not fool ourselves: to date we have no evidence that it is more effective than the traditional approach (mechanical measures such as stretching or load change). In this sense, it is worth remembering that superstition plays a key role in elite sport. Superstition? What superstition? Thanks to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Kinesio tapes became popular. Some brightly colored ribbons that say they can be used for almost everything but whose effects are not proven at all. At the 2016 Rio games, the boom was taken by cupping. As I argued then, athletes are tremendously superstitious beings. A lot. And they are because it works for them.. From the eightieswe know that sports rituals have a positive impact on their execution. And, curiously, increasing ‘perceived self-efficacy’ It is usually related to increasing effectiveness in actual execution. Ultimately, what studies tell us is that these rituals “helped strengthen feelings of control and confidence that were otherwise lacking” in times of great stress. It doesn’t matter if they are lucky underwear or a lump of brine: they are things that function beyond their physiological plausibility. The problem, as always, is another. Whether we like it or not, athletes are role models for the general public. With these fads, they are spreading pseudoscience beliefs in society and generating business in companies with few scruples. Something, in itself, much more dangerous than drinking pickle juice. Image | Ketut Subiyanto In Xataka | Why are the best athletes in the world getting bruises on their skin?

Elite Spanish sport is so precarious that athletes are beginning to be sponsored by OnlyFans

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OnlyFans, the British platform that hosts primarily erotic content made by its own users, has begun to sponsor high-performance Spanish athletes in minority disciplines. The objective is to clean up the image of a business with questionable fame, taking advantage of the fact that sponsorships are essential for these athletes to continue competing professionally. A situation of dependency (mutual, although it is clear who handles the money here) that has raised the first suspicions. What OnlyFans has done. The paddle tennis player Vero Virseda, the boxer Jennifer Miranda and the surfer Alazne Aurrekoetxea now wear the platform’s logo on their kits, in a movement that the journalist and popularizer Mara Mariño described in an investigation for Article14 as part of a calculated normalization strategy. Mariño describes the strategy as “a masterful marketing maneuver” that seeks to reposition itself in sectors with massive reach and a good image such as sports and fitness. How he does it. The operation has a double aspect: on the one hand, it pays them to display the platform’s logo on their kits and where they compete; On the other hand, it offers them the possibility of opening personal accounts where they can monetize exclusive content showing workouts, sports routines, nutrition advice or aspects of your personal life. This hybrid formula also allows OnlyFans to present itself as a general content platform, not exclusively erotic. It gets complicated. Mariño warns in Article14 about the unforeseen consequences of this normalization: “When athletes display an OnlyFans sticker on their surfboard, they are legitimizing for youth audiences a platform that can attract young girls without awareness of the risks.” In 2022, Spain also approved the General Law 13/2022 on Audiovisual Communicationwhich forces video sharing platforms with pornographic content to implement effective age verification systems. At the moment the thing is in testing phase. Other European countries are also strengthening this restrictive trend. In 2024, France gave its regulator Arcom the ability to block pornographic sites that do not verify the age of their visitors. Germany blocked access to Pornhub and RedTube after determining that their parent company Aylo “prioritized its own financial interests over the goal of protecting minors.” A legislative tightening that contrasts with OnlyFans’ strategy of gaining legitimacy through sports sponsorship: just now that access to adult content platforms is facing the greatest regulatory restrictions in its history. International context. The phenomenon of athletes turning to OnlyFans has global reach and reveals the economic gap faced by high-level athletes in less high-profile disciplines. In Brazil, volleyball player Key Alves, who plays for the Osasco club, has publicly declared that her income on the platform multiply by fifty what you perceive as a professional athlete. Another striking case: the Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newmanbronze medalist in Paris 2024, who has a turnover of approximately one million euros annually through OnlyFans. During the last Olympic Games they also talked about the topic the British diver Jack Laugher, the New Zealand rower Robbie Manson and the Mexican diver Diego Balleza. OnlyFabs has come to sponsor, in fact, complete sports teams, such as the American Racing Team in the second category of the Motorcycle World Championship. To whiten. The arrival of OnlyFans to the world of sports responds to a business need: transform its public image to attract investors. According to Bloombergthe platform has begun talks to obtain financing, seeking a valuation of more than $1 billion. But potential investors demand as a fundamental condition that they distance themselves from pornographic content that currently represents 50% of its creators’ profiles. Already in 2021, CEO Tim Stokely declared that “sportsmen and athletes are a field in which we are seeing great growth.” Some obstacles. This image-washing operation has encountered some significant institutional resistance. The International Cycling Union (UCI), for example, prevented Scottish cyclist Lewis Buchanan from participating in official competitions in April 2023. if it displayed OnlyFans advertising on his helmet, taking advantage of its regulations that prohibit showing advertisements of pornographic content. He sportwashing. What OnlyFans does bears similarities to this term coined in 2015 (in response to the European Games in Azerbaijan, which were used to divert attention from the country’s government’s human rights violations), which describes how countries with problematic histories use sport to whitewash their reputations. OnlyFans would be taking advantage of the prestige and visibility of sport to dilute its association with pornography. As sponsored tennis player Alexandre Müller said“OnlyFans wants to change its image, it’s not just about erotic things. That’s why they sponsor me.” Header | Alazne Aurrekoetxea In Xataka | A man from Cadiz is being the star of the Italian news. He has been fired from his job for using a hydraulic penis

Huawei Fit 4 Pro is the ideal smartwatch for athletes

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Buying a launch device implies, most of the time, paying its full price. For those of us who like to carry the last, this is something that we don’t like at all, but like everything else, there are exceptions. If we talk about smartwatch, this exception comes from Huawei, which has in Your official store three new devices With exclusive discount coupons to take them at a very competitive price. Among these devices, the one that stands out the most is its new Fit 4 Proa very oriented device to be an ideal sports partner, but that will also come great to have our health very controlled. In addition to this, we also have A new watch 5 And newly released headphones, the Freebuds 6. We are going to talk to you a little more about them, as well as tell you how you take them for less. A smartwatch with everything to control our health This new Chinese manufacturer watch, as we have explained a little higher, is very oriented to all those people who seek to control their training at the millimeter. In factit is outdoors where it will shine the mostespecially thanks to a 1.82 -inch screen with 3,000 nits peak brightness. Its design is also designed to be comfortable at all times. In fact, it is a very light device, since the body of the huawei fit 4 pro It barely weighs 32 grams. That should not make us think that it is a “little resistant” device, since its body is aluminum and is protected with sapphire crystal, very resistant to blows and scratches. At the level of functions, as with its predecessor, it is a device full of sports functions. It has its own way thought for golfers, although it also includes other other sports. In addition, it is able to provide real -time tracking of routes, even with offline maps. This is ideal if we want to go hiking or with the bike to remote places with little signal or coverage. To the above we must add that it also counts An atmospheric pressure sensorthanks to which we can carry out a precise monitoring of altitude and air pressure. Thanks to these data, we will have a more exhaustive control of our training, knowing how these values ​​affect it. It also has a water training mode with which we can get help to improve breathing. Another point that also stands out of this new Huawei smartwatch is that It will have the NFC payment functionsomething that to date was not possible with the devices of this Chinese manufacturer. In this way, we can pay with our card through the clock without having to take it out of the wallet, which is always very practical. Now it’s time to talk about the offer. As we have already advanced, the official Huawei store now has an exclusive discount coupon for Fit 4 Pro to come out at a more attractive price. Your launch PVP is 279 eurosbut when we buy we use the code A20XATAKAFIT4 We will save 20 euros in our purchase. There does not end the thing. The purchase, in addition to the discount, comes with some Freebuds se2 as a gift and an extra strap. If we prefer, there is also the Huawei Fit 4, the economic version of this device. In addition to the above, we have another coupon for two very specific models of Huawei smartwatch. These models, Fit 4 pro blue and the Fit 4 Gray NylonThey are exclusive to the official brand store. For these, we can save 30 euros using the code Afit30Exl. * Some price may have changed from the last review This is not the only novelty of Huawei The previous one has not been the only device that Huawei has released in recent weeks. We have two more, being the Watch 5 The first of them. This is another smartwatch, although this time one that is committed to A traditional cutting design. It is elegant, comfortable and resistant, thanks to the fact that it is also protected by sapphire glass. We can highlight several things, such as his new X-tap sensor, with which we will have More than 60 health and physical status indicators. In addition, it has a system that allows you to control several aspects of it without touching it, simply making certain gestures. This is ideal to make calls or play music, for example. This device reaches stores in two different versions: one of 42 millimeters and another of 46. The price at which we can buy this new Huawei watch is 449 euros For your most economical option, although we can reduce your purchase more thanks to an exclusive discount coupon. This, which is A50xatakawh5, It will save us 50 euros directly. In addition, we will also have an extra gift strap and Freebuds 6i headphones. * Some price may have changed from the last review The second novelty, as we advance above, are the headphones Freebuds 6. It is an open design option, ideal if we want to have some headphones that do not be isolated from what happens around us. Despite this, they have a good noise cancellation system and an autonomy that high. They also stand out for their fast charge: With just 5 minutes of load, we will have up to two and a half hours of playback. In this case, Freebuds 6 arrive at stores at a price of 159 eurosalthough we can save ourselves in our purchase 30 euros if we use the discount coupon A30FB6PUB. In this case, we also have an insured gift: 12 months of the Huawei Loss Care service. With him, we can buy a loose headset in the event that one of them is lost or broken. * Some price may have changed from the last review This is just a sample of everything we can buy in Huawei’s official pagewhere There are few reasons we have to buy. … Read more

Someone wondered what would happen if we allowed all athletes to do. The result is already here: improved games

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“Imagine that a 60 -year -old beat the Usain Bolt world record.” Sounds crazy, but that is the phrase that left last year during An interview with The Guardian Aron d´souza, the founder, president and visible face of Enhanced. His words matter because D´Souza is organizing, with the support of some outstanding investors, the Improved games (Enhancend Games), a sports competition that will open the door for your athletes to dop and consume drugs prohibited by sports federations. The objective is the one that D´Souza commented: to knock down barriers and leave behind the brands of Usain Bolt or other apparently unbeatable plusmarks on the tracks. The idea, of course, has generated a huge stir and has already led to international experts and agencies to alert of its dangers. Las Vegas, May 2026. That is the city and the date on which improved games want to make their great start. In An act held this week at Resort World Las Vegas, D´Souza and his team announced that the first competition open to the consumption of drugs vetoed by the sports federations will be held next year, between May 21 and 26in “The city of sin.” More specifically, in a complex built for tests within the Resorts world las vegas With clues and pool. A for world records. There the athletes who participate in the tournament will compete in three disciplines: swimming, athletics and lostfilia, with different categories in each. For that purpose, the organizers will prepare a 50 -meter pool with four lanes, a six -lane speed track, a special scenario for weightlifting and something so (or even more important): A succulent list of metallic awards. In addition to the premiums for participating, Enhanced will offer a reward of $ 500,000 per proof, of which 250,000 will go to the pocket of the first classified. If any of the athletes hit a world record in the “definitive tests” (100 meters smooth and 50 m free) will also pocket a gratification of one million dollars. The objective is evident: spray plusmarks. For now and to open appetite, the organizers They assure that one of its swimmers has already managed to overcome a 2009 record. The keyword: doping. What defines improved games is not who, where and when they organize, but how they raise the tests. Its great hallmark is that they open the door to the use of drugs or treatments vetoed in official competitions. “Unlike traditional sports agencies, Enhanced does not prohibit substances that improve performance, but also bring them to light, with total transparency, safety and medical supervision,” Underline. Throughout the last months the organizers They have stressed that treatments will not be administered “in any way” and athletes will have to pass “thorough medical recognitions.” In The same report of The Guardian in which D´Souza talked about breaking Bolt’s records even states that organizers will not accept illegal substances and their drugs must have been legally prescribed. Of course, compliance with the standards seems to depend on the collaboration of athletes. “Sport stagnated”. Although the appointment has generated A considerable controversythe organizers have loaded it as an epic and insist that their goal is to open horizons. “We live in a world transformed by science, from vaccines to AI. But sport has stagnated. Until today. We are not updating the regulation, we are rewriting it,” claims D´Souza. Enhanced’s website includes other ideas Roundsuch as “superhumanity” or “future of sport.” “We are creating a new category of excellence, a world where drugs to improve performance are used safely, open and supervised.” “In 1896 Baron Pierre de Coubertin reinvented the old Olympic Games for his time, an era of nationalisms,” Reflect. “Now we are reinventing the Olympic Games again … to create a completely new formula, not sport, but of humanity.” Apart ideas, the truth is that the organization He has recognized who hopes to enter millions of dollars for the issuance rights and in The same statement in which he informs of the first improved games slides that plans to launch at the end of this summer a company dedicated to “improved performance products”. “Dangerous, not very ethical and harmful”. Not everyone shares the enthusiasm of D´Souza and his team. On the contrary. Since Enhanced revealed his plans and especially after the confirmation of his first “games”, there have been few voices that have risen to pronounce against the idea. This week the Sport Australia Athlete Advisory Group He warned that “the normalization” of drugs to improve performance “promotes doping as entertainment, putting athletes at risk, and devalues ​​the efforts of those who choose to compete clean.” For the organism, the concept of improved games is “dangerous, not very ethical and harmful.” And it is not the most resounding opinion about it. Travis Tygart, Executive Director of the US Anti -Doping Agency, He thinks that the initiative is “a dangerous clown show, not really sport” and the world anti -doping agency speaks of “dangerous and irresponsible project.” Others They pull irony And they have baptized the Enhanced Games of “steroid Olympics.” An appointment, several names. If the improved games have achieved so much impact is not only because of their challenging and controversial approach. To its visibility has helped (and much) that Enhanced has managed to embark in the initiative some prominent names of the world of finance and sport. Among the first figure Peter Thievel either Donald Trump Jr. Among the second, the Australian swimmer James Magnussentwice world champion of 100 m free. And to him others have joined such as the Ukrainian plusmarchist Andrii Govorov or the Bulgarian Josif Miladinov, European silver in 100 butterfly. One of the names that have sounded the most in recent days has been however that of Greek Olympic swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who According to Enhanced He has already managed to break the world record of 50 m free with a mark of 20.89 seconds, which would exceed the one achieved in 2009 by Cesar Cielo. The BBC points out that, … Read more

I have tried many sports watches and these are the ones I recommend for amateur athletes

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Sports watches, and also activity bracelets, have become Perfect companions of each of our training. Unlike the somewhat limited models we found a few years ago, today there are a wide variety of options to choose from, and many of them are very complete. In this article we have gathered different sports watches that we have tried and that we have loved. To do this, I have spoken with some companions of Xataka and Webedia And they have recommended some quite interesting models. Not only records data, but it interprets and guides you to improve Javier Lacort He told me that a recommendation was not going to happen to me, but a Bible. He did not want to just offer a single model, but three so that we can choose the one that best suits the needs of each person (and each budget). Suunto Race The first sports watch recommended by Javier Lacort is ideal for those who want A clock with which you do not need to learn concepts. Simple and plain to start exercising accompanied by, in this case, the Suunto Racethat we can find in Amazon by 449 eurosalthough the English Court has it for 399 euros. I was surprised with his Zonense technology That, although it requires a pectoral band, brutally simplifies training with only three colors. It shows you exactly how your body responds that day, adjusting to your fatigue or recovery. It is perfect whether you are looking to improve your brand in marathon as if you just want to walk to lose weight. Simple to more power For those who do not want to have to invest a long time learning concepts. * Some price may have changed from the last review Garmin Epix 2 The second model recommended by Javier Lacort enters fully into the Garmin catalog. After spending a lot of time with Apple Watch, he made the leap to Garmin Epix 2a sports watch that we can find in Amazon by 614.94 euros. Is it expensive? To do this, It also mentions other cheaper models. My day to day is with an epix 2, but there are cheaper options such as Forerunner 255 or the 265 that maintain the essential, even even more basic and cheap such as the Forerunner 55. What conquered me was its depth: Not only records data, but it interprets and guides you to improve. The battery that lasts a whole week and the brutal customization of training screens make a difference for any athlete who wants to understand his body. * Some price may have changed from the last review Apple Watch Se The third and last sports clock recommended by Javier Lacort is nothing less than an Apple Watch, in general Any model can serve us for our training. However, if we want something simple, we have the Apple Watch Se by 229 euros In Amazon. The Apple Watch is ideal if you are already in the Apple ecosystem and look for balance. It has very good GPS and an impeccable interfacealthough it falls short for more detailed training and its basic analysis. It shines as Mini-Iphone on the wrist (messages, music, payments), but you will need several payment apps to get what Garmin or Suunto offers as standard. And not even so. If you deliberately look for something basic and simple, then go ahead. He Model se It will serve you. Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation) * Some price may have changed from the last review The screen very large and perfectly visible even in full sun Raquel Rodríguez (Lady Fitness), director of Trendencies and former director of Vitónica, also wanted to comment on what their personal recommendations are with Two very interesting proposals. Garmin Venu 2s The first sports watch recommended by Raquel is none other than Garmin Venu 2sa sport -oriented model that offers a elegant design To carry on a day -to -day basis. We can find it in Carrefour by 270.99 euros. The clock I use now and with which I am very happy, since being a model Designed for small dollswith a round sphere and with a careful aesthetic, I can take it both in training and on a day -to -day basis (I even took it to a wedding and did not disregard anything with all the outfit). What I like most about this clock: The screen very large and perfectly visible even in full suna battery that lasts days and days (and I am one of those who train daily), and that has up to 25 different sport profiles (running, pilates, hiking, strength training, Hiit). It is very complete, very nice and ideal for an amateur athlete who seeks to register his training and learn from them. * Some price may have changed from the last review Fitbit Versa The second sports watch currently has a most restrained price that other models that we have previously commented. He Fitbit Versa 4 We can find it for 149 euros during the spring offers. This is a bonus that I leave as an idea For people who want to move more. My parents, both retirees and committed to taking the 10,000 daily steps, are the one in different versions. They came from a simple Garmin activity bracelet that fell a little short in terms of functions, and now they are very happy with their fitbit: they tell the steps, monitor sleep and can access others Functions from the same clock such as WhatsApp Or what time will you do. It is a very interesting way of inviting older adults to be challenged and active. * Some price may have changed from the last review It has a very comfortable design and comes with pre -established routines Most of the wearables that I have used have been bracelets, and not so much smartwatch – although I have a there a Samsung Gear Sport that occasionally I use. In recent years I have tried several models, and I certainly … Read more

Four subjects arrested in Ohio for alleged robberies in athletes’ homes

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The investigation of a series of high-profile property burglaries in Ohio led to the arrest of four men of Chilean nationality, who face multiple charges related to organized criminal activities. According to authorities, those detained would be linked to an organized crime network that targets multimillion-dollar residences, including alleged properties of professional athletes. The suspects were arrested earlier this month in Fairborn, Ohio, after being found in a van with allegedly stolen items, including a Louisiana State University (LSU) jersey and a Cincinnati Bengals cap. These items were related to a burglary that occurred on December 9 at a home near Cincinnati. The same day, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was ransacked while he and his team were playing in Dallas. Although court documents do not confirm a direct connection between those arrested and the burglary at Burrow’s home, the incident reinforces the hypothesis that professional athletes could be targets of these criminal gangs. Thieves with a pattern According to the FBI, South American organized crime groups, including gangs formed by Chilean citizens, are using social media and other sources of information to identify and track high-profile athletes. This warning had already been issued to the NFL, NBA and NHL leagues in December. Among the confirmed victims of these thefts are stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, players for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, as well as Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Mike Conley Jr. (Minnesota Timberwolves) in the NBA. The four arrested in Ohio face charges of: Engage in a pattern of corrupt activity. Be part of a criminal gang. Possession of criminal tools. In addition, authorities found devices used to break windows, false identifications, and found that the detainees were in the country illegally or had exceeded their permits. An investigation in progress Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office said investigations continue, without offering further details about possible links to other thefts at athletes’ property. Keep reading: – Luka Doncic’s house in Dallas is robbed and thousands of dollars are taken

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