The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
Hey guys, I just saw a horrible story on the Today Show this morning about a young girl who drank 2 Monster Energy drinks and died of cardiac arrest. I used to drink only 1/2 can cut with water before a game. I'm not thinking this is such a great idea any more. What do you guys do for energy before a game? I don't want to drink just coffee because it bothers my stomach. Any suggestions or experiences you want to share?
My games are always late and it's hard enough for me to come down after a game and go to sleep as it is. If I drank an energy drink before my game I'd be up all night.
We all have different tolerances and body conditions. Ephedra was able to be used safely but there were some back in the day who abused it and that was the end of that for everybody.
Me, I've had 9 Monsters within a couple hour span once at Mayhem Festival and was able to get to bed as soon as I got home as usual.
Most the time if I have one before a game, I don't even feel any different. I just hope for the placebo effect if nothing more, I don't want to be doubling my expenses to have 2 for every game.
My games are always late and it's hard enough for me to come down after a game and go to sleep as it is. If I drank an energy drink before my game I'd be up all night.
yeah, unfortunately I end up getting to sleep around 2am or so. The downside...
That sounds pretty sensible unfortunately I usually don't have much time to get much rest before gametime; Its usually just lying down for about an hour before getting dressed.
We all have different tolerances and body conditions. Ephedra was able to be used safely but there were some back in the day who abused it and that was the end of that for everybody.
Me, I've had 9 Monsters within a couple hour span once at Mayhem Festival and was able to get to bed as soon as I got home as usual.
Most the time if I have one before a game, I don't even feel any different. I just hope for the placebo effect if nothing more, I don't want to be doubling my expenses to have 2 for every game.
9! Wow, I think if I had 9 in one day my chest cavity might blow up in a pink mist. Me, I eat light before a game so even a 1/2 to 3/4 of a large can gets me going.
Sad story. I'm guessing she had a heart condition beforehand though.
I used ephedrine and caffeine back in the day to drop about 20 pounds, worked pretty well, but yeah I wouldn't touch it again as I'm not sure the long-term effects.
For me, a cup of coffee or a diet soda before a game seems to work just fine. I don't need a crapload of sugar beforehand because I try and keep my diet pretty clean most of the time.
All I know is that two Finnish SM-liiga teams banned their juniors from using energy drinks and that the ones I have ever tasted, were awful (Red Bull and Battery).
For kids that aren't allowed to drink yet in Finland, energy drinks have become the substitute. Annoying site to see kids with their cheap energy can drinks all over the place acting like they're drinking alcohol (and usually throwing the cans away, aka littering).
I drink maybe 1-2 redbulls a week. They are more for helping me get through that long boring afternoon at work. Personally, the effects seem to last about an hour to an hour and a half. I've had one and then be able to take a nap 2 hours later.
I started having one before hockey a few weeks ago. I play Tuesday nights from 10:30 p.m to midnight, so I'm usually feeling exhausted before I even leave for the arena. Napping beforehand isn't really an option for me, because every time I've tried, I wasn't able to fall asleep afterwards until about 3 a.m, which isn't good when you have to wake up at 7 a.m for work.
So I started drinking a redbull before the game. I've noticed that it helps (whether it's a placebo effect or not I have no idea) and I can still fall asleep after the game as I usually do (around 2 a.m.).
Terrible. My wife was yelling at me this morning for drinking Monster Energy before games. I used to drink Red Bull before lifting weights and eventually I stopped due to chest discomfort. I know this stuff is bad for you.
I drink maybe 1-2 redbulls a week. They are more for helping me get through that long boring afternoon at work. Personally, the effects seem to last about an hour to an hour and a half. I've had one and then be able to take a nap 2 hours later.
I started having one before hockey a few weeks ago. I play Tuesday nights from 10:30 p.m to midnight, so I'm usually feeling exhausted before I even leave for the arena. Napping beforehand isn't really an option for me, because every time I've tried, I wasn't able to fall asleep afterwards until about 3 a.m, which isn't good when you have to wake up at 7 a.m for work.
So I started drinking a redbull before the game. I've noticed that it helps (whether it's a placebo effect or not I have no idea) and I can still fall asleep after the game as I usually do (around 2 a.m.).
Sounds like we're in a similar situation. I get tons of ice time and we always have a short bench but I need to find another way to keep my legs moving throughout 3 periods.
I see it as three main factors affecting my energy:
Caffeine (short term) - this affects my mental alertness, mostly for early or late games. Not more than a cup of coffee or a soda. Like someone said, more mental than physical, and too much makes you jittery and for me makes me anxious.
Diet (mid term) - this fuels the game or workout. Diet over a few days is the biggest consideration. If I'm out drinking the night before, I'm usually pretty bad, but if I've been eating right for a week, I have lots of energy throughout, especially late in the game.
Conditioning (long term) - this affects how quickly I become worn down and how quickly I recover. The better shape I'm in, the more I recover and the better I am after long shifts or late in the game. Think about avoiding the burn and being able to do those quick starts/stops and attack the puck carrier after being stuck out on the ice for an entire PK in your end.
Caffeine or energy drinks are just a quick fix that wear off and don't help all that much. Diet you can clean up and notice a difference within a few days. Conditioning though takes several weeks to start making a difference, but it makes the biggest difference overall.
Makes sense Jarick; I know I should definitely slow down on the high salt/sugar foods. One tough aspect is late game times.
I don't really know salt makes a difference unless you're dehydrated. But sugary foods tend to spike then crash energy and may muck with your hormones.
People need to be careful with these drinks. My dad is a cardiologist, and he was telling me how lots of kids are coming in these days with heart problems from too many energy drinks. I know people that live on that stuff.
I usually drink an 8oz sugar free Red Bull on my way to the rink. No sugar and contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. If you read the story the girl had a heart condition, knew about it and decided to drink the equivalent of 14 cans of Coke. So to just broadly label all energy drinks as bad for you is incredibly dumb and uninformed. I don't care what you look like or what kind of shape you're in-if you drink 14 cans of Coke you're putting yourself at risk.
I usually drink an 8oz sugar free Red Bull on my way to the rink. No sugar and contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. If you read the story the girl had a heart condition, knew about it and decided to drink the equivalent of 14 cans of Coke. So to just broadly label all energy drinks as bad for you is incredibly dumb and uninformed. I don't care what you look like or what kind of shape you're in-if you drink 14 cans of Coke you're putting yourself at risk.
Just two cans of Monster Energy equals those 14 cans.
This girl drank 48oz of Monster, 480mg. A LOT. But for those who drink say 3 cups of strong coffee per day, that's the same amount. And I have coworkers who drink that much.
For most healthy adults, moderate doses of caffeine — 200 to 300 milligrams (mg), or about two to four cups of brewed coffee a day — aren't harmful.
Key words "healthy adults".
I dunno, makes me think about my caffeine consumption. Usually two diet sodas plus a drip coffee and sometimes another diet soda or green tea. It's in that 200-300mg range, but higher than I expected. Might have to pick up some decaf tea instead and try more water.
Me, I eat light before a game so even a 1/2 to 3/4 of a large can gets me going.
