Wrong Prescription

Carnival is the air and its infections will surely get many with its promises of a good time.

Our sportsmen and women get no exemptions as they too do not miss out in some of the action.{{more}}

Carnival has all the ingredients capable of reducing our athletes’ performance. Its activities are held at nights going into the wee hours of the morning, temptations of eating foods at odd times become compulsory; then there is the attraction of alcohol, other drugs and the appeal for sex.

Our national sports representatives of both sexes do not conceal their indulgence of late parties or openly imbibing in alcoholic beverages and what comes with it..

Whilst it is everyone’s right to participate in his or her national festivities, our top performers at their respective disciplines must have self control.

There is overwhelming evidence to demonstrate that physical and mental performance are negatively affected by lack of sleep.

Research has shown that poor sleep reduces endurance, cardiovascular performance, increases appetite; delays visual and auditory reaction times as well as hormonal disturbances.

The least of evils, alcohol, should be a no-no to athletes who are desirous of performing at the highest levels.

According to research, alcohol, even small amounts of it, robs the body of B group vitamins and zinc that are necessary to convert food to energy.

In addition, alcohol has proven to increase bleeding and swelling around soft tissues injuries, protracting recovery time. The build up of lactic acid, dehydration, and the masking of pain delay treatment are all resultants of an intake of alcohol.

On the issue of sex and performance, there is no conclusive co -relation, but when the factors of alcohol and lack of sleep are bundled, performance is impeded.

There is however support that during competitions, indulging in sexual activities hours before matches should be forbidden, as with each ejaculation there is a loss of energy, vital force and the individual becomes sleepy.

The national Under 23 netballers and Under-19 cricketers are spared the scrutiny this time around as they are off to their respective tournaments this weekend.

But how focussed will they be, knowing of the goings on back home?

Our sportsmen and women’s cause is not helped as the national netball association has suspended its tournament until after the Carnival season, so too has the South Leeward Football League. They have given their players the prescription to stretch their excesses to the limits and an open licence to go on an all out spree burning their candles at both ends.

This country’s Under-23 footballers and the Inter -schools’ squad have assignments soon after the Carnival. Would their behaviour go unchecked during this time?

The indiscretion of sports personnel ignoring the parameters of prudent conduct, although not a Caribbean phenomenon has gripped us. There must be truth of stories of West Indian cricketers seen late out at night clubs, having to appear in a Test match or One Day International the following day is occurring with greater frequency.

An altercation involving some players and an irate fan in Grenada in the early hours of the morning during the recent World Cup shows the players’ disregard for optimising their performance.

Chris Gayle’s open opposition to management’s imposition of restrictive time to be at the team’s base on the current England tour shows our defiance for what is good for us.

Zooming in home, there are too often reports of national players breaking curfews and indulging in practices that are at variance with good behaviour.

Policing of players during festivities is difficult , but national associations should try as much as possible to educate their charges of the consequences of their actions.

It can be argued that each individual should be held accountable for his or her actions, but when it affects the whole, then there is cause for concern, as a chain is as strong as its weakest link.