Wrestling is a sport that requires great strength, agility and concentration. Although you can excel in wrestling through your diet and training efforts alone, you may find supplementation to be beneficial as well. Consuming an energy drink prior to wrestling may improve your performance, as long as it is well-formulated with beneficial ingredients. You should consult a doctor before consuming any supplements.
Caffeine
Most energy drinks contain caffeine, although not all do. Caffeine can be beneficial for performance in wrestling and other sports because it can increase your energy levels. However, this is not the only benefit you may experience from consuming caffeine. According to research published in the October 2008 issue of "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise," caffeine can improve your endurance and your cognitive abilities, which may aid in your decision-making abilities during matches.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are your body's main source of energy, and can help provide an energy boost that lasts longer than caffeine. However, many energy drinks are low in carbohydrates so they can be marketed as diet-friendly. For maximal sports performance, consider a beverage rich in carbohydrates, as the authors of research from the September 2010 issue of the journal "Sports Medicine" note that carbohydrate intake "increases performance during prolonged exercise."
Protein
Although protein is often recommended for building muscle, some research suggests that it may also improve your sports performance. Finding an energy drink that combines protein and carbohydrates may be particularly beneficial, according to research from the January 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Applied Physiology." This research found that consumption of a beverage that combined carbohydrates and protein improved sports performance.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid, a class of nutrients that help build and repair your body's tissues. In addition to this quality, it appears that L-carnitine may have special properties for improving exercise performance. According to research from the June 1989 issue of the "International Journal of Sports Medicine," consumption of L-carnitine increased oxygen uptake, which may improve your exercise performance. Your muscles require extra oxygen during exercise, especially intense sports such as wrestling, so L-carnitine may aid in your performance.
References
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; Caffeine improves physical and cognitive performance during exhaustive exercise; E Hogervorst et al; October 2008
- "Sports Medicine"; Carbohydrate administration and exercise performance: what are the potential mechanisms involved?; AD Karelis et al; September 2010
- "European Journal of Applied Physiology"; Combined carbohydrate-protein supplementation improves competitive endurance exercise performance in the heat; AJ Cathcart et al; January 2011
- "International Journal of Sports Medicine"; Decrease in respiratory quotient during exercise following L-carnitine supplementation; EM Gorostiaga, CA Maurer, JP Eclache; June 1989
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