Fitness Fact Friday Chewing gum decreases performance
An elite triathlete I used to coach, used to hand out chewing gum to his competitors before the race. His competitors thought he was a top bloke. Little did they know he was actually decreasing their performance!! As chewing gum stimulates secretion from the digestive tract to prepare for eating effectively directly energy and resources to the area instead of the larger muscles utilised during triathlon.
My former massage therapist Al Davidson used to say there was a correlation between tight jaw muscles and tight hip muscles. We now know through applied kinesiology this to be true. So yes tight law muscles can have negative effect on lower body strength and power.
Improve performance by avoiding chewing gum!
I credit strength coach Wolgang Unsold for bringing this information to light.
All the best,
Joey Hayes
