Dr. Jeff Sankoff (the TriDoc) - Health and medicine in endurance sports | EP#442
Aug 28, 2024
auto_awesome
Dr. Jeff Sankoff, an emergency physician, triathlete, and coach, shares vital insights on health for endurance athletes. He discusses the connection between longevity and endurance sports, emphasizing cardiovascular health. Jeff breaks down the significance of personalized blood tests, particularly for iron and vitamin D levels. He also tackles dental health myths tied to endurance training and dives into anti-doping challenges in amateur sports, advocating for fair competition and health awareness. An enlightening blend of medical knowledge and athletic passion!
Engaging in endurance sports significantly enhances longevity and overall quality of life, contrasting sharply with a sedentary lifestyle's negative health impacts.
Monitoring cardiovascular health is crucial, especially for older endurance athletes, with preventive screenings recommended based on individual risk factors.
Athletes should prioritize oral health due to the high sugar content in sports nutrition, recognizing its critical link to overall health and performance.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Endurance Sports on Longevity
Engaging in endurance sports plays a significant role in enhancing longevity and overall quality of life. Research highlights that a sedentary lifestyle is linked to increased health issues and earlier mortality rates, while regular physical activity correlates with better health outcomes. Even moderate activities, such as a daily 30-minute exercise routine, can lead to improved physical and mental health, including a more positive mindset. Thus, regular participation in activities like triathlon is encouraged, not only for physical fitness but also for mental well-being.
Understanding the Reverse J-Curve Effect
The concept of the reverse J-curve highlights how excessive high-intensity endurance training can potentially diminish its health benefits beyond a certain point, particularly for older individuals. Research indicates that while lower levels of high-intensity training can positively affect cardiovascular health, crossing the threshold of ten hours per week may lead to a decline in these benefits. It is essential to note that individuals still derive cardiovascular advantages from training even when they train more than this limit, but the optimal balance for health seems to fall under the ten-hour mark. Despite this concern, the overall takeaway is that being engaged in endurance training consistently promotes better health outcomes compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
Maintaining Cardiac Health for Endurance Athletes
Endurance athletes are encouraged to monitor their cardiovascular health, especially as they age, though preventive screenings are advised primarily for those with risk factors such as a family history of heart disease. For individuals under 40, random screenings might be unnecessary if they have been healthy and active. However, those in their 30s or 40s considering starting an exercise regimen may benefit from a cardiac evaluation to prevent potential health issues. It is crucial for athletes, especially older ones, to listen to their bodies and not overlook unusual symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue, which could signal more significant underlying problems.
Navigating Blood Testing and Nutritional Markers
Blood tests, although useful at times, are largely unnecessary for most endurance athletes unless specific symptoms prompt them. Iron and vitamin D levels may be the exceptions where testing can provide beneficial insights, particularly for menstruating women who are prone to iron deficiency. However, the prevailing sentiment is that broad panels offered by commercial testing companies often yield more false positives than actionable insights. Athletes are encouraged to maintain balanced diets and monitor symptoms rather than rely solely on routine testing to inform their nutritional needs.
Oral Health Considerations for Endurance Athletes
Endurance athletes must pay particular attention to their oral health due to the high sugar content in sports nutrition products, which can contribute to dental issues. Regular dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing, alongside routine dental check-ups, are vital in preventing potential problems. The link between oral health and overall health, including cardiovascular disease, is becoming increasingly recognized. Therefore, maintaining good dental care is not just a personal health choice but a critical component of an athlete's lifestyle.
The Myths of Endurance Sports and Doping
A prevalent myth in endurance sports is the assumption that engaging in these activities alone will lead to weight loss without considering the need for proper nutrition. Many newcomers enter the sport mistakenly believing that hard work alone is sufficient; however, appropriate fueling is crucial for optimal performance. Additionally, the misconception that investing in technology or supplements will yield significant performance gains often leads to disappointment, as consistent training remains the top factor for improvement. Education around doping must also be highlighted, encouraging athletes to be informed about regulations and proactive in maintaining clean sport practices.
Jeff Sankoff is the TriDoc, an emergency physician, triathlete, and triathlon coach. In this episode, Jeff sheds some light on the most important and topical health and medicine related questions for triathletes and endurance athletes.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT:
-The impact of endurance sports on longevity and life expectancy
-Heart health in endurance sports
-Blood tests, deficiencies, diets and supplements
-Dental health
-Myths and misconceptions about health and medical aspects of endurance sports
Precision Fuel & Hydration help athletes personalise their hydration and fueling strategies for training and racing. Use the free Fuel & Hydration Planner to get personalised plan for your carbohydrate, sodium and fluid intake in your next event. That Triathlon Show listeners get 15% off their first order of fuel and electrolyte products. Simply use this link and the discount will be auto-applied at the checkout.
ZEN8 - The ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer allows you to improve technique, power, and swim training consistency. You can target specific aspects of your stroke, like catch and pull-through, work on core activation and body position, and make sure you stay consistent in your swim training even when you don't have time to go to the pool. Try the Zen8 risk-free for 30 days, and get 20% off your first order on zen8swimtrainer.com/tts.
