As a coach, you probably know what information you need to create a training plan and coach your athlete. But what do athletes find interesting to know? We did a survey and found out that many athletes are highly interested in 3 metrics, that most coaches don’t provide. Here are the 3 metrics and how you can collect them.
BY LOEK VOSSEN
Once you know how easy it is to collect the 3 metrics, and how much they can help you and your athlete, you cannot not use them.
At the end of this article we’ll tell you how to collect the metrics (spoiler: you don’t need to invest in test equipment). But let’s first have a look at the 3 metrics athletes want to know, according to our survey (completed by INSCYD users and non-users).
1. Carbohydrate combustion during training and racing
Over 75% of the athletes in our survey want to know how much carbohydrates they burn during training and racing. That totally makes sense, because once an athlete runs out of carbohydrates, the race is over.
Do you have this information of your athlete and do you share it and put it into practice?
INSCYD coaches simply use the training zones to see how much carbs are burned per hour in a certain training zone (image 1). If they want to dive into the details, they use the Carbohydrate combustion graph, which is available for both power and speed/pace sports (image 2).
Your athletes want to know their carbohydrate combustion, but there are more reasons why you – as a coach – should be interested too. Read our carbohydrate combustion article to learn more: How carbohydrate combustion determines pacing and fueling.
2. Fat combustion during training and racing
74% of the athletes also want to know how much fat they burn during training and racing. A high fat combustion is associated with a high endurance performance. Being able to burn fat saves carbohydrates, which delays fatigue in endurance events.
Some athletes might also be interested in fat combustion related to weight loss.
Again, the INSCYD training zones can give you the rate at which your athlete burns fat. Dive into the details by using the Fat & carbohydrate combustion graph:
Read our fat combustion article and download 3 hacks to increase FatMax: FatMax definition, training (zone) and exercise test.
3. Fueling strategy: when and how much should you eat
Last but not least, more than two thirds of the athletes are interested in receiving a fueling strategy for training and racing.
Creating such a plan is easy. The carbohydrate combustion numbers tell you how much your athlete burns. Combine this with the amount of carbohydrates stored in the muscle (glycogen), provided by INSCYD, and you know exactly how much energy your athlete needs to consume.
Download our whitepaper and learn how to create a fueling and pacing plan.
How to easily get the metrics
You probably think you need a metabolic cart (VO2 analyzer) to get the carbohydrate- and fat combustion data. Indeed, this is one way to do it. However, with INSCYD it’s possible to get the metrics with whatever test protocol you prefer, using only a GPS watch (running), or power meter (cycling), or lactate analyzer, or VO2 analyzer. Test in the field or in a lab, remote or together with your athlete. However you want to test, we make sure you get a full metabolic report with lab level accuracy.
Differentiate yourself from coaches who are not able to give their athletes what they want to know. Start by learning more about the INSCYD test, results and pricing: INSCYD test: protocol, results, cost and more.
Human Movement Scientist at INSCYD
