This blog is for anyone with LTHC’s (especially those with Pituitary Conditions) & Sports/Exercise Instructors. It show how people with LTHC’s Compare to top level Sports Performers In everyday life, through transferrable skills & understanding between Health, Support & High Level Sports Performance
Ever thought about comparing yourself with a Grand Prix Formula 1 Team? No? Then let’s lead you into this gently!
In Part One we explored; Indivduality, Communication, Support & Control, you can access it here.
In Part Two we move onto the smaller components including; Health & Well Being, Mental Health, Exercise,Temperature, Hydration & Travel.
Then we will conclude with Scientific Research, Analysis and Team Work, before highlighting the key points to remember, to support Health, consider concerns that still remain over COVID and look at how coaches and exercise deliverers can be more inclusive to those with LTHC’s.
Our aim here is to highlight how each small component of your Health and Well Being can also relate directly to how every component within a sporting environment can matched. Hence, allowing all of us to connect better by establishing the difficulties faced within two very different scenarios but crucially demonstrating what can be learnt and adapted, leading to a better understanding.
Control Re-Visited
Last time we ended with control and looked at the functions of a Formula 1 Drivers Steering Wheel and, how the features, layout and the ability to adopt new settings as and when required were crucial to success. We compared this with the need for those with LTHC’s to be able to adapt their own plans and, look in detail about symptoms and how to gain the right support.
Two main things asked of the drivers are that they are intuitive and, they understand the electronics. Demonstrating the essential need for drivers individuality, support and communication as a two way process. One feature is the Neutral button, which enables the driver a window of opportunity to get the car into reverse should it hit gravel. A similar position to recognising when to push the halt button and take a rest when your LTHC is trying to ruin your day.
Top Tip
Interested in finding out a bit more? Valteri Bottas and Mechanic Evan Scottt, take you through in detail how to use the Steering Wheel of the 2019 Mercedes Car and its key features.
Health & Well Being
A personal viewing report from Barcelona 2021! ‘Giovinnachi came into the pits in Barcelona and had his chances for points slip away after a tyre deflated during a pitstop. A bright eyed mechanic chased for a new tyre straight away, loosing time but potentially saving that driver from a certain accident, serious injury and perhaps even worse. He only lost points and despite that, team disappointment is obvious and shows how even the best laid plans and preparation can fail at the last hurdle’.
Even the best laid plans that are highly practiced routines can go wrong. However, as with the example above; one person in the team, one quick response, equals one life potentially saved. Match that to our medical condition and support focus. We don’t always need to make the vital decision ourselves. That is where our support network can step in. Especially on those days where you push just a bit too hard, trying to achieve something. Pushing through what is normally a fool proof plan.
Top Tip
Set phone reminders for your medication. Make people who you are around regularly and, trust aware of symptoms you experience, so they can help you in identifying potential problems.
Counting Spoons When You Have a Chronic Illness is an excellent blog by Julie Ryan. Its origin is inspired by Christine Miserandino, a well known writer in the Chronic Illness Community. Her Spoon Theory which you can read here highlights the way in which people with LTHC’s have to manage their bodies to get through a day. Used by so many to explain the realities of their lives with others. Ryan has fibromyalgia and in this article looks at what pacing is, how to go about it and the perils of Chronic illness.
Mental Health
Imagine the fear associated with driving a Formula 1 car round a track, the tight corners, the ability to focus on the race, to adapt and convey key information to your team, and be able to keep safe, or even recover from being shunted off the race track and spinning into a pit wall. The ability to see serious crashes in front of their eyes but to continue driving. This is a learnt skill that takes years to practice. It’s part of who these drivers are and they have access to top sport psychologists to support them, the use of training days, simulators and relaxation away from the track to help them to be ready and focused. You’ll often see them doing reflex/focus activities with tennis balls or headphones in, or sitting by the car visualising prior to a race. But, it’s still not 100%! Lose focus in an instant and it’s race over!
Flip that and imagine the fear of knowing that you have a medical condition that is potentially life threatening. Therefore, it’s no surprise that people with LTHC’s have a greater tendency to develop mental health problems as well. Plus, this is not our choice. Remember that although highly driven individuals, with many skills and a lot of hard work involved Formula 1 Drivers have their journey into, and through the sport because of their love for cars, speed and adrenalin rushes! They have chosen to follow this pathway knowing the risks involved. This is not the case for those with LTHC’s. That doesn’t mean we can’t still learn from each other though. Resilience, strength and determination will be required on both sides to achieve the optimum performance levels possible.
Top Tip
Mind have some great resources which you can access that relate to Specific Health Problems such as anxiety, psychosis, depression, Bipolar and Trauma. Each downloadable document talks you through symptoms, causes, self care, treatment and useful contacts.
Another great resource is the Coping With Scary Thoughts which is something you can access at anytime and, no one else needs to be aware. You simply click on the link which leads you to a page with a blank box. You write down whatever is worrying you and submit. The writing is not saved, it’s gone forever. The theory being that you are recognising the fear, acknowledging it, removing it’s power and allowing yourself to re-focus. This won’t work for everything or everybody and there are other options as well on the Urgent Help Needed Page.
Relaxation is also going to help. This can come in many shapes and forms. Some go for what you may call the traditional method of Yoga, Meditation or Tai Chi. Others may hook into art therapy, exercise or gardening. Even just a small 5 minute activity that you can focus on if you feel you are developing brain fog or you need something to help you settle before bed, will be great for your around mental health. Anything that distracts you from stresses and worries is a good thing! Head Space is a great place to start with Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation online or through their phone app.
Diet
Formula One Drivers are highly trained athletes and just like those with LTHC’s need to ensure a good balance based on energy expelled, recovery and general health. There are so many diets to choose from. It’s what is right for the individual. These can range from Vegan to Plant Based, to diets that derive from what is perceived to be the best all round diet based on where the driver /individual originates from. A good mix of carbs, protein and vegetables will make up the base level needed to match calories burned through the season or through everyday living.
Top Tip - Salt Intake
Although salt intake is something that many are told they need to reduce their consumption of, your body requires a certain level to balance fluids in the blood, maintain healthy blood pressure, and it is also used for nerve and muscle function. However, for some with LTHC’s this can be a difficult balance.This interesting article called Why Salt? ,by Professor Simon Pearce highlights why people with Addison’s Disease often crave salt especially before diagnosis. Then afterwards it can be a pick me up and a symptom of problems looming that need to be addressed.
For general guidance the Eat Well chart and downloadable food plates produced by the NHS, will be extremely helpful and informative.
Temperature/Hydration
Imagine driving in extreme temperatures, low to the ground, track temperatures soaring, sitting in a confined space for two long hours. So, whilst Formula 1 drivers may well require significant hydration and supplements as they drive, with the need to maintain energy levels and focus, poor hydration could easily hamper their performance. Highlighting this is a quote from AutoSport;
‘… the things that F1 drivers’ bodies go through during a race are extreme. Hamilton has admitted that he can lose as much as 4kg during the hotter races, with humidity at venues like Singapore draining drivers of their fluids. (https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-driver-training-whats-their-workout-regime-diet-cardio-more/5805611/)
On the flip side, imagine driving in the rain or in colder environments. Adjustments need to be made. Sitting in one position and managing to maintain the ability to control the car will be challenging and requires correct clothing, preparation and careful consideration.
It’s well documented that water is a pivotal part of our diets. Avoiding dehydration is key for everyone no matter what the temperature. It becomes even more important when additional variants are added and stress is again put onto our already challenged bodies in terms of weather conditions.
Top Tip
This handy guide from the NHS has some top tips for How To Cope In Hot Weather. It looks at why people with LTHC’s become more vulnerable to the effects of heat, signs to look out for and tips for coping. A further link to the Heatwave Plan For England has some great downloads, including the full plan and posters which also directly link to COVID-19 Restrictions.
Watch out for the colder weather too. Snow and ice mean cooler temperatures and again the body needs to maintain a good balance. If you struggle with maintaining your body temperature during the winter you could try some ‘silver’ gloves or socks. Often made for those with Circulatory problems they support your body to stay warm. Raynauds Disease has a great shop and a blog page, with tips to keep yourself warm and a huge range of products to try.
Exercise
Workout Regime, Diet & Cardio from AutoSport showcases what Formula 1 drivers need to achieve, looking at each part of the body in turn. You’ll see the intensity required, especially the neck strength to manage the pressure caused by the speed that they need to achieve, with the fast breaking, vibrations through the body and strength required, to maintain leg and arm movement and, positioning in a restricted position for lap after lap.
Each drivers team also have their own exercise and preparation. You see the astonishing speed with which they change tyres, add fuel and repair damage. You don’t see the work that goes on behind the scenes. To change a tyre in a pit stops means hours of training and preparation. Also challenged by the muscles required to hold their positions, lift and manoeuvre equipment and the hand to eye co-ordination skills, not to mention reaction speeds they need to gain that minimal advantage over the other teams.
For those with Pituitary Conditions/Addisons exercise and relaxation are crucial to managing your condition. The need to take steroid medication can cause weight gain and increased appetite and, in the same way so can anti-psychotic medications used to treatment some mental health problems and steroid medication for any LTHC. Therefore, although we talk about extra stress on the body, which of course exercise does place on it, it shouldn’t be avoided.
Top Tip!
The chart below from The Addison’s Disease Self Help Group should help and demonstrates how and when shows you exactly how to work out if additional medication is needed, based on the duration and intensity of exercise. Also a great device for deliverers of the exercise and sporting sessions/classes. Guidance to the participants on the level of session will ensure the correct adjustments are made. Just an example of one condition but could be applied to many more.
If you aren’t sure what activity to do head Find Your Active a new website from the Active Essex Team for some excellent ideas and guidance.
Travel/Commuting
Formula One Teams are moving to new race tracks all the time, manoeuvring huge amounts of expensive kit, both mechanical, technological, race cars, teams and support staff. Every little thing packed properly to protect and arrive at the next track ready to be unloaded. Bookings for hotels, taking into considerations COVID regulations in each country and biding by International travel conditions. Ensuring staff have everything that they need to perform their individual tasks.
When people with LTHC’s travel, whether to friends/family, work or for holidays much preparation is needed. You may make a journey multiple times but each trip will incorporate some variants.
Their suitcases/hand luggage may be larger than ours but what we pack into them is just as important to our health and well being, if we need to move from one place to another. This can simply relate to one certain day or movement over a weekend right up to a two week holiday. Having all the essentials isn’t just about your clothes and sun tan lotion. It’s more about what we would need for an ordinary day on a grander scale, with basics like medication, medical ID/letters, spare medications in case of delays. Plus, you’ll probably need proof of COVID Vaccination.
Top Tip
Stickman Communications - I am In The Driving Seat Poster is a very simplified version of putting you in charge and highlights the fact that your health problems go with you wherever you travel. It focuses on skills, positivity, talents and choices as key components.
If you are going/hoping to get away on the long awaited holiday in the sun, then health insurance is an added layer of protection. Declaring medical conditions may mean additional premiums but better than landing a huge medical bill. Ensure you are protected by taking out the policy when booking your holiday. Staysure offer a good package. You can have multiple people on one policy and just complete the medical declaration for whoever needs it. They offer add ons and annual/single trip policies.
So we conclude! This has been a whistle stop tour of components and comparisons. Sometimes this will be overwhelming. Be aware that our Formula 1 drivers have access to a ‘Talk’ button which they can press which de-activates communication with their team, highlighting their need to be focused on their task at hand without interference, but also knowing they can switch this around in seconds and, the team will still be there for whatever they need. This can be said of all of us with LTHC’s. Sometimes we need a break away from others, the medical jargon, the hours waiting, hoping, trying, planning and organising.
Don’t be afraid to take this time, try a bit of relaxation. Step One - Stop, unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders and take a deep breath!
See you next time as we complete the Grand Prix programme!
In the meantime, stay well, stay safe and all the important links are below!
Valteri Bottas - F1 Steering Wheel Controls
Counting My Spoons - Pacing Tips When You Have Chronic Illnesses
But You Don’t Look Sick On Facebook - Spoon Theory
Mind - Support Information for Types Of Mental Health Problems
Mind - Coping With Scary Thoughts
Mind - Urgent Help Information
Head Space
Addisons Disease Self Help Group - Why Salt?
NHS - Eat Well Guide
How To Cope In Hot Weather
England Heat Wave Plan
Active Essex - Find Your Active
Stickman Communications - In The Driving Seat Poster
Raynaud’s Disease - Cold Weather Information
AutoSport - What Does a F1 Driver’s Workout Regime, Diet & Cardio Look like?
StaySure - Travel Insurance