No matter what sport, athlete's bodies go through a ton of stress. Between the long hours training and the pressures of competition, it can really take a toll. There are a few different natural herbs and supplements that may help balance out the stress. Even if you're not a professional athlete, but simply enjoy being active, they may go a long way for you as well.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a type of fungi, with several potential health benefits. One of the most pertinent to an athlete would be the increase in the body's production of ATP, a chemical essential for muscular energy. This increase of ATP assists in the utilization of oxygen. A clinical test found subjects that supplemented cordyceps for 6 weeks, had a VO2 Max increase of around 7%, while the control group showed now change.
In any activity, your bodies ability to get oxygen to the muscles is critical for performance. Cordyceps is a simple supplement that might help!
Ashwagandha
Training sessions put a lot of stress on the body, as does playing almost every sport. Ashwagandha has long been used as a natural remedy for stress, due to it's ability to help control cortisol levels. As you exercise, your blood sugar levels tend to drop, which can in turn increase cortisol levels. By balancing these levels, ashwagandha helps prevent the body from clinging to fat stores. We have a more in depth breakdown on ashwagandha here.
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Many athletes focus so much on building lean muscle, and perfecting form, that they tend to forget about joint health until it's too late. Once you begin to experience pain in the joints, you're losing productive training time to let them recover. Glucosamin and Chondroitin supplements are believed to help prevent damage to joint cartilage. Keep your joints health and keep your training on track.
These are just a few simple supplements that might assist athletes make progress, or help maintain body health. Check them out and see if they might support you in your quest to improve!