conferences including prestigious events such as Olympics and Commonwealth Games. During these occasions, she feels that the entire team shares a great sense of camaraderie. Here, there are no distinctions between caste, creed, religion or status. For her and all of her fellow players, boundaries just vanish when they play together.
The Training Academy
Most of the current breed of badminton players of India train at the Gopichand Academy. Here, the players for Indian team are selected on the following two factors:
• The Current National Champion
• The Runners-up
Other players with high international ranking are also offered training. This rule culminates into having three single players in the women’s and men’s singles and double categories. The rule prevails for the mixed doubles too. The academy shapes up around 15 national players. These players attend various camps under the expert guidance of national coach.
The coaches include about 1-2 national coaches, a female coach and a double coach. The team also comprises of a group of physiotherapists. They take special care of keeping the players in best shape and treat them for injuries.
Ideal Diet for a Badminton
Player & Saina’s Diet Schedule
Being a badminton player is not easy. One has to go through a lot of hardships and struggle. Most importantly, the player must maintain a specific level of stamina and fitness. The typical health diet fads recommended for people these days may not make for adequate stamina providing servings for badminton players. They have to undergo rigorous training schedules and go through a lot of mental work. Hence, the diet they need to follow demands a lot of care and planning.
Here’s what an ideal diet for a badminton player should comprise of:
Carbohydrates
Did you know no athlete will last even 30 minutes in a game without adequate intake of carbohydrates? These are the primary source of glucose for all the cells in the body. More than half of the food consumed in a day should be in the form of complex carbohydrates such as cereals, breads and pastas. It is crucial to opt for the unrefined ones that are high in fibre. One can include starchy fruits and vegetables in their diet such as potatoes and bananas. These are vital contributors of carbohydrates in daily diet. This is required to build glycogen reserves, which is very important on match day.
Choose nutrient-dense carbohydrate-rich foods such as cereals and porridge. You may even go for whole wheat breads, brown rice, pasta, potatoes and starchy vegetables, fruit and dairy products such as milk and yoghurt.
Sportspersons may use cold drinks, sports/energy drinks, sugar, jam, honey, syrup, sweets, jelly babies, marshmallows etc., can be used to boost their carbohydrate intake. However, since these foods are low in vitamins, minerals and fibre, they should not replace meals. Eating or drinking sugary foods and beverages between meals should be strictly avoided.
Proteins
A moderate intake of protein is sufficient to heal any muscle injury that occurs after the game. Proteins also help to build the muscles and keep them strong. A badminton player must refrain from taking too much protein as it can cause undue stress on the kidneys. Badminton players need only marginally high levels over the normal intake. 1- 1.2 g of good quality protein is ideal for an athlete and it should always be combined with carbohydrates for the best results. Lean meat, dairy and eggs are good animal sources. Pulses and beans are other options for vegetarians that can help an athlete get the required amount of protein for going lean.
Badminton players need protein for strength, growth and to build muscle. Rather than going out and buying expensive protein powders, it is better to enjoy eating protein-rich foods like lean meat, fish, liver, low fat dairy products and legumes.
Fats
Fats are known to be an important source of concentrated calories. Hence, most badminton
The Training Academy
Most of the current breed of badminton players of India train at the Gopichand Academy. Here, the players for Indian team are selected on the following two factors:
• The Current National Champion
• The Runners-up
Other players with high international ranking are also offered training. This rule culminates into having three single players in the women’s and men’s singles and double categories. The rule prevails for the mixed doubles too. The academy shapes up around 15 national players. These players attend various camps under the expert guidance of national coach.
The coaches include about 1-2 national coaches, a female coach and a double coach. The team also comprises of a group of physiotherapists. They take special care of keeping the players in best shape and treat them for injuries.
Ideal Diet for a Badminton
Player & Saina’s Diet Schedule
Being a badminton player is not easy. One has to go through a lot of hardships and struggle. Most importantly, the player must maintain a specific level of stamina and fitness. The typical health diet fads recommended for people these days may not make for adequate stamina providing servings for badminton players. They have to undergo rigorous training schedules and go through a lot of mental work. Hence, the diet they need to follow demands a lot of care and planning.
Here’s what an ideal diet for a badminton player should comprise of:
Carbohydrates
Did you know no athlete will last even 30 minutes in a game without adequate intake of carbohydrates? These are the primary source of glucose for all the cells in the body. More than half of the food consumed in a day should be in the form of complex carbohydrates such as cereals, breads and pastas. It is crucial to opt for the unrefined ones that are high in fibre. One can include starchy fruits and vegetables in their diet such as potatoes and bananas. These are vital contributors of carbohydrates in daily diet. This is required to build glycogen reserves, which is very important on match day.
Choose nutrient-dense carbohydrate-rich foods such as cereals and porridge. You may even go for whole wheat breads, brown rice, pasta, potatoes and starchy vegetables, fruit and dairy products such as milk and yoghurt.
Sportspersons may use cold drinks, sports/energy drinks, sugar, jam, honey, syrup, sweets, jelly babies, marshmallows etc., can be used to boost their carbohydrate intake. However, since these foods are low in vitamins, minerals and fibre, they should not replace meals. Eating or drinking sugary foods and beverages between meals should be strictly avoided.
Proteins
A moderate intake of protein is sufficient to heal any muscle injury that occurs after the game. Proteins also help to build the muscles and keep them strong. A badminton player must refrain from taking too much protein as it can cause undue stress on the kidneys. Badminton players need only marginally high levels over the normal intake. 1- 1.2 g of good quality protein is ideal for an athlete and it should always be combined with carbohydrates for the best results. Lean meat, dairy and eggs are good animal sources. Pulses and beans are other options for vegetarians that can help an athlete get the required amount of protein for going lean.
Badminton players need protein for strength, growth and to build muscle. Rather than going out and buying expensive protein powders, it is better to enjoy eating protein-rich foods like lean meat, fish, liver, low fat dairy products and legumes.
Fats
Fats are known to be an important source of concentrated calories. Hence, most badminton
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