Cardio improvement, fast

getaway · 13-Apr-07, 06:28 PM

spring season is here(basketball), i pulled my groin so i jsut watched todays practice, it was brutal, the team had to run 16 lengths up and down the gym, one length is going ot the end and back under 11 seconds, or you redo it. there are some fit people on my team, im not that fit anymore, i stopped doing cardio for a few months to gain weight because i was having difficulty, anyways, im off that now and my next practice is in a week and i expect to do something simliar to the 16 lengths. does anyone have any tips on how to improve cardio fast and any supplements or energy drinks that would help? thanks

tim_mcf · 13-Apr-07, 10:19 PM

In a week? Not going to accomplish much, sorry. If I were you, I would just eat really clean, stay super hydrated, and do some really hard conditioning work on 3 or 4 days this week. Like for instance, 100 burpees for time. Then have at least one full day of total rest before the first practice. And prepare to have your ass kicked in practice, embrace the pain, and go back for some more.

getaway · 13-Apr-07, 10:42 PM

obviously not in a week. but i meant a fast way to just get my cardio up to i can handle the practices. just have alot of stamina for running.

**.V.** · 13-Apr-07, 11:16 PM

Yes, you want to build stamina for basketball. Run suicides, lots of them, every day.

That's the reason this is the main running workout for most basketball teams. Because it works.

I hate it when someone makes the same mistake I made, giving up cardiovascular fitness for muscle. Best to do both and let the gains come slower.

Don't do it again. Do your cardio and eat enough to make up for the calories expended. I stopped doing cardio from May to November to get ready for a "most improved physique" contest, kind of a bodybuilding comp of sorts and didn't do too badly as far as appearance goes. However, now almost a year later I've not even came close to getting back where I was last May.

getaway · 15-Apr-07, 05:49 PM

our coach recommended we intake 5,000 to 8,000 calories a day, we have 4 games a week, one practice and weight lifting days.

getaway · 15-Apr-07, 05:55 PM

i also have another thing thats bothiering me, at first i thought it was just a pulled groin but now im thinking otherwise, a few weeks ago my groin/abdomen began to hurt during practice, i thought this was because i was holding off going to the washroom so i wouldnt miss practice, but after going, the pain remained and stayed constant the next day, then it seemed to get better so i went to the next practice and the pain began all over again, it only hurts when i run, and ive rested it for 3-5 day intervals but it doesnt seem to go. what else could it be?

**.V.** · 15-Apr-07, 05:55 PM

If you are working that hard, then you may need it. I wouldn't jump right into that many, but perhaps you will end up eating that much. Takes a lot of work to need that many calories though. 10,000-12,000 is the daily food for a lumberjack, not a couch potato. A basketball player? Perhaps.

**LiftGirl** · 16-Apr-07, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getaway

i also have another thing thats bothiering me, at first i thought it was just a pulled groin but now im thinking otherwise, a few weeks ago my groin/abdomen began to hurt during practice, i thought this was because i was holding off going to the washroom so i wouldnt miss practice, but after going, the pain remained and stayed constant the next day, then it seemed to get better so i went to the next practice and the pain began all over again, it only hurts when i run, and ive rested it for 3-5 day intervals but it doesnt seem to go. what else could it be?

You may need to see a medical professional, and also, 3-5 days isn't really that much resting time for an injury. Do you have a team athletic trainer that you could consult with?

getaway · 16-Apr-07, 06:14 PM

im already on bad terms with my coach, i give the impression of being non commited due to my absence from games and practices due to my groin. and i guess he doesnt take it that well because i dont communicate with him that much, and my history of just quitting basketball in the past (personal problems got in the way) and i never really talked to me about it, so i guess i seem like a slacker to him, and it really bothers me missing practices and such, so im considering going on painkillers for now, until i have time to see a doctor.

tim_mcf · 16-Apr-07, 07:15 PM

Painkillers won't make that injury go away, man. Just helps you be stupid and ignore it.

getaway · 16-Apr-07, 07:49 PM

well for this week, two games, one practice. i dont have a choice.

**LiftGirl** · 17-Apr-07, 02:00 PM

If you continue playing/running on an injured groin, you are only going to make it worse. You could be out for a whole season, instead of just a week or two. If the coach is giving you crap because of an injury, then he's an idiot. If you don't have a team trainer, you'll probably have to get to a doctor if it doesn't improve with longer resting times.

getaway · 17-Apr-07, 05:46 PM

naw, hes a pretty nice guy, its just i didnt communicate with him in the first place, and i guess thatd piss any coach off. im just going to ease back in.