Doctor Thomas Ball is a Chiropractic Physician who has been competing in endurance events for over 30 years. With more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Dr. Ball is dedicated and committed to helping his patients minimize their pain and maximize their overall health. He immediately became intrigued by the science behind HOTSHOT when he first tried it at the Patriot Half Ironman in East Freetown, Massachusetts earlier this year. With his personal experience as an athlete and his knowledge of exercise physiology, Dr. Ball offered his perspective on HOTSHOT and why he believes in the science it’s built upon:
What makes you a believer in HOTSHOT?
The nervous system is THE most important system in the entire body as it controls and co-ordinates every other cell, tissue, muscle, gland, organ and system. Chiropractors remove interferences to this system, which allows the body to communicate with itself as nature intended so that it can heal itself naturally. I believe that HOTSHOT also works with the nervous system after it triggers the receptors in your mouth and esophagus, which is why it works so quickly and effectively.
Can you talk about why athletes are susceptible to muscle cramping, and why you would recommend HOTSHOT for preventing and treating them?
Past research theorized that muscle cramping was caused by a combination of three things: dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and fatigue. These are three things that athletes deal with on a daily basis. Even when we do our best to stay hydrated, keep our electrolytes in balance, and train properly to prevent premature fatigue, we still often experience muscle cramping. I believe HOTSHOT is one step ahead by attacking the problem at its most direct source: the nervous system.
Describe your first experience with HOTSHOT:
I am still intrigued with how quickly HOTSHOT has worked for me as well as a few of my friends in both training and racing. One friend who has dealt with nocturnal cramping for years has finally found a solution to her problem!
This fall, I did the Pilgrim Man Half IRONMAN in Plymouth Massachusetts, and I did not experience any cramping until just after my 90-minute drive home. Upon getting out of the car, I had another one of those nasty hamstring cramps. Thankfully, I had a HOTSHOT in my bag and drank it in the driveway, and the cramp was gone before I finished unloading my car!
Can you share an example of a training session, or a workout that you would recommend for a triathlete?
My biggest tip to anyone preparing for an event, whether it is a marathon, triathlon, Nordic ski race, or a Spartan event, is to first determine what specific attributes will you need to complete the event the way you would like to. Do you need more strength, more endurance, more flexibility, and better balance? Once you determine these needs, then you should focus your training to develop the things that you need to work on to reach your specific goals.
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