My older son is very athletic. He’s especially talented at track. I’ve always tried to be supportive of him. My approach to his participation in sports is similar to my approach to his school grades – I only want him to try his best. I guess you could say that I’m a “sports mom”. According to a study done by Gatorade, that makes me part of the 13 million member strong Sports Moms community, a community where seven in ten moms are raising kids in competitive sports.
Wondering why Gatorade would do a study of Moms? Gatorade wanted to better understand the mom’s behind today’s young athletes, and identify their perceived roles, challenges, motivations and rewards as it relates to their children’s sports. Wondering what they found out? It’s actually pretty interesting. 94% of the Moms surveyed agreed that good nutrition was important for good performance. Many of those same Moms admitted to having concerns or a lack of knowledge in the following areas:
Protein
- Seventy-five percent of Sports Moms don’t know that in order to help promote muscle recovery, their athletes should consume protein within a 30-60 minute window post-exercise.
Hydration
- Seventy-six percent of Sports Moms think their kids are properly hydrated, but research shows that 70 percent of teen athletes show up for athletic events dehydrated.
Pre- and post-game fuel
- Forty percent feel their athletes don’t get the right nutrients to keep them on top of their game during practice and competition.
- More than half report that their kids aren’t eating appropriately to fuel before practice.
- Almost half admit their athletes are unable to eat a meal within an hour of practice or competition.
To help Moms help and support their athletes, Gatorade has created the Gatorade Moms site. The site contains a treasure trove of information including information on sports nutrition, hydration, and injuries as well as training tips and advice, and information on how Gatorade is formulated,. It also contains Sports Mom TV, which are videos featuring real Sports Moms, as opposed to actors, sharing their own personal stories.
I found the Gatorade Moms site to be very helpful and informative. I haven’t gone through all of the material there yet (there’s a lot), but I have learned quite a bit already. For instance, did you know that to completely restore muscle energy it’s suggested that athletes eat high-carbohydrate, moderate-protein foods within 30 minutes after exercise and then eat small meals at two hours and four hours after exercise? I didn’t. I also appreciated reading the interesting information on why sports drinks like Gatorade are thought to be better than water for athletes.
If you have any children in sports or soon to be entering sports, I recommend checking out the Gatorade Moms site.
WIN IT!
ONE winners will receive a Gatorade Sports Mom Survival Pack which includes a Gatorade branded Nike Dri-Fit hoodie, a Gatorade branded drawstring tote, a Gatorade branded 1 gallon cooler, a Gatorade branded water bottle and a 18.4 oz of Gatorade 02 Powder (makes 4 qt of Gatorade).
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter visit the Gatorade Moms site and then leave a comment here telling me if you have a child in sports AND one thing that you learned or found interesting on the site.
BONUS ENTRIES – LOTS OF THEM!
1 – Leave a comment on MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE stating which giveaway you’re entering. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog. (in sidebar)
1 – Visit one of my other blogs – From Val’s Kitchen, Val’s Views, Game Review Network and Living With Special Needs – and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 – Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry. Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
The winner will be selected using the “And the winner is” plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Wednesday 05/04/11 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
The product featured was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
