Fit people perspire too: Sports myths often wrong

Feb 13, 2012, 3:05 GMT

Cologne - Sport and keeping fit are activities which are riddled with myth, and many of them are misleading, in the view of Ingo Froboese, a health professor at a sports college in Cologne, Germany.

For example, there is the idea that anyone who perspires freely cannot be fit, a myth that Froboese disposes of. 'Sportsmen and women do have a better thermal regulator. Their muscles and cells can cope with more and thus actually give off more sweat when working out,' he says. Perspiration is thus a sign of fitness.

A second myth is that people who sweat a lot should drink more. This one is also false. 'Our bodies are able to process just 0.8 litres an hour. Too much liquid merely washes minerals out of the system, and 'drowning' can even result,' Froboese says.

A mixture of apple juice and mineral water is sometimes said to be the best drink. This one does not impress Froboese either. 'Apple juice contains a lot of sugar, and the body needs at least two hours to burn up the carbohydrates.' Water with lemon juice or ginger is better in his view.

That magnesium prevents muscular cramp is another widespread idea. Here Froboese points to a study that showed that athletes had to take between 400 and 600 milligrams to feel any effect. 'The problem is that that level will certainly lead to diarrhoea.'

Playing sport damages the back. This one is simply false. 'Movement promotes the circulation and thus strengthens the discs in the spine,' Froboese says. Lack of movement results in the fibrous outer skin of the disc becoming porous and prone to cracking.

A frequently heard piece of advice is to exercise the back muscles to counter back pain. 'It's much more important to strengthen the abdominal muscles. They are composed of three layers. The upper layer that lends the appearance of the 'washboard stomach' do not have to bear much of a load. The lower layers are much more important,' Froboese says.

Froboese is sceptical of the advice to stretch before exercising to prevent muscular injury. 'Stretching is great as a warm-up. But it doesn't help to prevent torn muscles that can be caused by any form of exercise.' Stretching after exercising is also a good idea, he says.

Another myth: osteoarthritis sufferers should avoid movement. This one is utter nonsense. 'Movement is particularly important in cases of arthritis,' the professor says. Cartilage also needs to be moved in much the same way as the discs in the spine.