By Alex Ariza,
Most people do not know this, but years ago Manny Pacquiao suffered from a lot of ailments. There were nagging shoulder problems and also cramping problems in his legs.
It was hard for MP to go past 5 or 6 rounds without his legs tightening up, especially around the calf area.
People got to see first hand during the Mosley fight that Manny Pacquiao’s calves like to tighten up during the fight. This was a problem we thought we got rid of, but we all watched it reoccur.
His calf muscle cramped on him during the fight. I was able to get in there and massage it out and thankfully it only lasted about a round.
We understand why this reoccured and are making adjustments, so it does not happen again.
The basic reasons for this happening were; He trained too close to the fight- He was supposed to rest the last couple of days, but his energy level took him back to the track to run- this caused a bit of over training. We were adjusting the proteins and carbs around, and by him training a day longer then we wanted, caused a little problem with the balance of foods and electrolytes in the body. Also, we should have hyper-hydrated him more before the fight. The other main contributing factor was that MP is used to doing specific stretching routines prior to training everyday. These were not done enough before the fight. All of this, plus a couple of other adjustments will be made for the next fight, so we do not have this issue reoccur again.
Which brings us to Water Hydration-
Water Hydration How important is it…
Probably more important than anyone imagined. Did you know that water will actually help your joints from inflammation?
Maintaining proper hydration can do far more for your body than just helping you lose weight. Fluid intake will promote circulation and help to reduce the toxicity that leads to joint inflammation. Believe it or not, I believe that water is
one of the biggest ways to relieve joint pain.
It can also play a huge part with preventing Arthritis. Rheumatoid joint pain – arthritis – is a signal of water shortage in the painful joint that you are feeling. It can affect the young and the old. Arthritis is most commonly known as something older people get, but it is not. Many pregnant woman experience this, as well as athletes, young or old.
Shortage of water can cause lower back pain, because of the dehydration in the joint cavities.
Here is the fun part for you guys. I am not just talking about athletes here. This is for everyone. Now multiply how important it is for Athletes that are sweating as much as they do. Water is often overlooked. It’s importance can’t be overstated. Water is the most important nutrient in our body. The benefits are so great. I can not mention everything is the blog, and since I am so passionate about it, I will also do a video blog on this subject as well.
Without enough water and other fluids, you’ll die within the week. Although water does not provide energy in the same way carbohydrates and fat do, it plays a very important role in energy transformation. Water is the medium in which all energy reactions take place. Therefore, you need to drink a lot of water for health, stamina, fuel, and building muscle. Drinking water for health is an important aspect of building muscle.
Water is everywhere in your body. Think of a shuttle carrying everything to where it needs to go. This is what water does. Water becomes the shuttle carrying the necessary nutrients to your cells and transporting waste in order to get it out of your body. Water basically fills every space in your body and helps form the structures we have spoke about regarding protein and glycogen. In order to move muscle, you need water.
Muscle is considered an active tissue and water is found in the highest concentrations in active tissue. Water is really found everywhere, but I want to highlight key areas you might not have thought about.
If your body is dehydrated, chances are you’re not going to have a very productive work out sessions. I mean how can you if your muscles are deprived of electrolytes.
Remember muscles are controlled by nerves. The electrical stimulation of nerves and contraction of muscles are the result of the exchange of electrolyte minerals dissolved in water. It’s essential that you drink water for health and building muscle, and to relieve yourself from joint pain.
Without enough water, your muscles are not getting enough electrolytes.
Water also helps out with the lubrication of your joints. Water is an ingredient in the makeup of the synovial fluid, which is the lubricating fluid between your joints.
Synovial Fluid is found in the cavities of synovial joints, such as knees, elbows, shoulders hips etc…
Until Next Time, Same Place you will find me! Only on Mp8.ph!!!
Alex Ariza!!!!
18 Comments
Comment by leo — June 22, 2011 @
11:40 am
I am glad somebody is emphasizing the importance of hydration.
You are definitely, 100%, right about water and electrolyte dynamics–for one—
More power to you.
Comment by pete — June 22, 2011 @
2:41 pm
Hey alex is pete the mma fighter who fought he was sluggish,
I focused more on carbs in the last week lost 3Ibs to make weight healthy, And won by knees in the clinch,
Im now following youre advice for eating carbs in morning and having a big postworkout meal for next fight, Thanks for youre advice alex fought id let you know bro, Big fan of youre work
Comment by Joe Lozada, PT — June 22, 2011 @
4:28 pm
Hi Alex,
I have been a big fan of Manny since God knows when, i am also an orthopedic and sports physical therapist for more than 17 years and i also noticed the leg shaking and vicarious movements that Manny makes during his last fight and also with his last 7 fights. This is very common on athletes with reoccurring tightness of their neural tissue. tightness on their neural tissue alters the biomechanics of their joint example the knee and this this will automatically trigger cramping of their soleous muscle… i have been a fan of yours, keep up the good work… good luck.. Joe, PT
Comment by estelito veloso — June 22, 2011 @
4:52 pm
keep it coming alex … any advise from you is considered gold …
Comment by Dan Gutierrez — June 22, 2011 @
5:01 pm
This is not the first time I’ve heard about the importance of water to the human body. Dr. Leonardo Cabanilla of Kennewick,WA USA was with me when we joined a fam-tour to Manila years ago. One time we were walking in the streets of Manila he bought 2 bottles of drinking water, one for him and he gave me the other bottle. He explained to me what water can do to the body. As a surgeon he said he also observed that people that drink lots of water daily are healthier and cleaner. He told me to make it a habit to drink a glass of water at anytime I have a chance (during those days my office was in my house, he told me to have a glass or two of water every time I go the kitchen). Now that we (my 92 year old mother, my wife and myself)are here in the Philippines retiring where it is hot and humid (free sauna or steam bath)I always tell everybody in my house and also my friends to bring at least a bottle of water whenever they leave the house. There are times when my mother complains of her arthritis, but what do you expect from an almost century year old mother…aside from that we are here in Makati City enjoying our retirement. Thanks to my friend Dr. Leonardo Cabanilla and also to you Mr. Alex Ariza for your article.This article can be a big knowledge to people especially those people who are diabetics. Daily excercise and lots of clean drinking water for a healthy living. God bless.
Comment by emil suarez — June 22, 2011 @
5:23 pm
i really appreciate the work you are doing in this site alex. it really is a big help for all people, not just for athletes. even for me, i’ve been a doctor of medicine for 10 years now, who became an anesthesiologist for 2 years now, and still, all you’re saying keeps bringing back all those i’ve read before in my med school years. written in a very articulate but understandable manner. it’s good your sharing your work here, its very helpful for everyone, doctors, sportsmen, and all the people alike. keep it up!
Comment by emil suarez — June 22, 2011 @
5:35 pm
and to add up, i’ve been a BIG Pacman fan, i live in Davao City, about 200 kms from General Santos City, i’ve been following my idol since he started in blow by blow. i was then busy studying every night during my college and medschool years, and took a break only when my idol fought on TV. we watched him brawl, won most of the time and lost sometimes. it’s a good thing pacman has you in his corner, you’ve been a great nutritionist,and we’ve seen the improvements. thanks alex.
Comment by boymondejar — June 22, 2011 @
7:02 pm
just learned an important thing about arthritis and water today, thanks a lot alex ariza.
-boymondejar, doha, qatar
Comment by Ottog Hahn Matalam — June 22, 2011 @
8:54 pm
Am gonna print several copies of this article for my reference and other’s reference. I am now convinced that drinking at least a total of half gallon of water a day is essential. Thanks again Alex!!
Comment by marlon — June 22, 2011 @
8:54 pm
its amazing that somebody accepting some mistakes during training preparation. A lot of information again alex. Tnx!..keep it up.
Comment by RG — June 23, 2011 @
12:23 pm
I’m a living proof of what Alex is preaching here in this article. Before my retirement, I was drinking water just enough not to have cramps during exercise…but I had a little bit of pains in my joints. Now that I’m retired and have all the time to go to the urinal, I drink more than half a glass of water but very often (total of over 10 glasses a day) and I lost all the pains I used to experience before. Do not drink a lot of water at one time (over drinking) but spread it out through out the day. Personally, I drink more than half a glass every 20 to 30 minutes.
With high humidity here in Florida, it’s even more compelling to drink a lot of water especially now that summer is here.
As usual, excellent article!
Comment by Aram — June 23, 2011 @
4:18 pm
Hey Alex, my name is Aram and I have trained Muay Thai and been training Western Boxing and i’ve been following up on some of your interesting articles. I had a question and I know this is probably the biggest factor in a athletes sucess is Periodization, this has left me very confused since Boxing and all combat sports are very complex in nature with speed, power, strength, flexibility, etc and as amatuer fighters, you take up a fight short notice(not like season sports), what type of periodization would you recommend? A blend of conjugate and concurrent? The traditional linear with long phases just doesn’t fit my schedule, your answer or any answer from any one is appreciated.
Comment by Neil — June 29, 2011 @
7:47 am
Hey Alex,
Awesome stuff bro keep it coming, i was wondering about your thoughts on multivitamins?
thanks,
Neil
Comment by TAO — November 13, 2011 @
4:31 pm
Hey Alex, I watched Manny spar at wildcard prior to the Marquez fight I noticed he keeps stretching his calf muscles post sparring. I was not surprised hearing the calves problem. He should get his electrolytes checked or go to a homeopath doctor to get any imbalance corrected. He may have a low potassium level. –from a concerned fan
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