MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[CtGreat]

Hopefully Im not just showing my ignorance here in asking this quetion.

Why is it that fighters dont drink Gatorade or powerade in between bouts? Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA, whatever; all I ever see fighters drink is water. Athletes in every other sport drink Gatorade in their downtime, but not in combat sports. Why is this?

Even if they dont have a gatorade sponsorship, couldn't they still just remove the labels from the bottles like the do to the water bottles?

[Sniggles]

That's a pretty good question. It is not against the rules for them to drink it. In fact, the only 2 things that fighters are allowed to drink in Vegas in their corner is water and gatorade. Though the sugar and carbs will make a fighter crash or cramp up, which is why it is not recommended.

For events under 30 minutes fluid ingestion is not recommended. Most MMA fights last less than 30 minutes therefore carbs would not benefit performance as they would not be available in the time frame. Fluid can be used to eleviate dry mouth or improve perceived exertion - the sugar and carbs have the opposite effect. The sugar in Gatorade would increase dry mouth and decrease cardio by that alone. I see alot of fighters spit the water out rather than swallow. Training usually lasts more than 30 minutes allowing fluids which are ingested to be utilised within that session.

[CtGreat]

Oh, I had no idea. Thanks for the insight, repd.

[Uvall]

Could it be that the sugars and stuff in Gatorade might not feel to well in the belly after exerting so much? I honestly don't know the actual answer but coming from an area where Football was huge when I was growing up I did notice a few things over the years. I was a starting running back all through my football years and could not drink 'full on' Gatorade during games. It would make me too full and kinda sick. Luckily in highschool, and even before, all our coaches watered down the Gatorade we did have plus we would have a second cooler full of water as well. So I have to think it has something to do with the sugars in it, just by the ways it affected me. Although these days when I'm out working my ass off in the hot Texas sun I have been known to chug down some Gatorade but ONLY the G2 version as it has a much 'lighter' feel and doesn't make me full or slightly sick feeling like normal Gatorade will. The sick feeling I'm talking about I only get when I'm extremely hot and physically drained then drink the Gatorade. Water or G2 goes down perfect in that situation though.

Edit: Ah, thanks Degenero. I was typing this up while you posted I guess. Seems I was somewhat on track.

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by Degenero

That's a pretty good question. It is not against the rules for them to drink it. In fact, the only 2 things that fighters are allowed to drink in Vegas in their corner is water and gatorade. Though the sugar and carbs will make a fighter crash or cramp up, which is why it is not recommended.

For events under 30 minutes fluid ingestion is not recommended. Most MMA fights last less than 30 minutes therefore carbs would not benefit performance as they would not be available in the time frame. Fluid can be used to eleviate dry mouth or improve perceived exertion - the sugar and carbs have the opposite effect. The sugar in Gatorade would increase dry mouth and decrease cardio by that alone. I see alot of fighters spit the water out rather than swallow. Training usually lasts more than 30 minutes allowing fluids which are ingested to be utilised within that session.

Originally Posted by Uvall

Could it be that the sugars and stuff in Gatorade might not feel to well in the belly after exerting so much? I honestly don't know the actual answer but coming from an area where Football was huge when I was growing up I did notice a few things over the years. I was a starting running back all through my football years and could not drink 'full on' Gatorade during games. It would make me too full and kinda sick. Luckily in highschool, and even before, all our coaches watered down the Gatorade we did have plus we would have a second cooler full of water as well. So I have to think it has something to do with the sugars in it, just by the ways it affected me. Although these days when I'm out working my ass off in the hot Texas sun I have been known to chug down some Gatorade but ONLY the G2 version as it has a much 'lighter' feel and doesn't make me full or slightly sick feeling like normal Gatorade will. The sick feeling I'm talking about I only get when I'm extremely hot and physically drained then drink the Gatorade. Water or G2 goes down perfect in that situation though.

Edit: Ah, thanks Degenero. I was typing this up while you posted I guess. Seems I was somewhat on track.

you both are pretty much dead on. It definitely has to do with the sugars and the potential to not sit well with your stomach with all the exertion and strain being put on your body.

[Spain215]

The best thing for you to drink during competition, or basically ever in life, is water. Why train for 3 months with a strict diet to insert all those sugars into your system and feel like crap during your fight?