Elite Athletes Push Back Against Performance Optimization Trends: “It’s Not Magic”
A growing wave of performance-enhancing trends – from red light treatment and raw milk to cold plunges and broccoli sprouts – is facing skepticism from some of the world’s top athletes. Concerns are mounting that an overreliance on these methods distracts from the fundamental importance of rigorous training.
Norwegian cross-country skiers Harald Østberg Amundsen and Simen Hegstad Krüger have voiced strong opinions against what they see as a misguided focus on “speedy fixes” in a backdrop of increasing visibility for unconventional recovery and optimization techniques. A screenshot from Erling Braut Haaland’s youtube channel illustrates this trend, showcasing the soccer star’s regimen of cold baths, saunas, red light therapy, and a diet rich in lean meat.
Though, Amundsen cautions against blindly following such examples. He described observing “runfluencers” – social media influencers focused on running – and their often-counterproductive experimentation. “He wonders why he throws up after two kilometers after packing everything in beetroot juice and everything you find on the market,” Amundsen recounted, highlighting a case where excessive focus on supplements overshadowed the importance of proper training. “It’s fun with the endurance wave,but there is a lot of focus on everything other than doing the quality sessions.”
Krüger echoed this sentiment, arguing that the proliferation of optimization options can create needless complexity. When directly asked about specific trends, his responses were blunt:
- Raw milk? – “No.”
- Red light treatment? – “No, I don’t think so. Unless you think it’s insane, it doesn’t make you feel any better.”
- Cold bath? – “No. If it gives you peace of mind,then drive on. But otherwise little physiological effect.”
- Beetroot juice or beetroot capsules? – “No, I don’t use anything like that.”
- Broccoli sprouts? – “No, eat vegetables, it effectively works better.”
Krüger believes that the most successful athletes prioritize simplicity. “Then it is these in the middle layer who will implement all possible, strange and fancy products,” he explained. “It is indeed perhaps as the training is lagging and they have to take action elsewhere. It is good, old-fashioned training that does the trick.” He acknowledged the power of belief but cautioned against the prevalence of placebos.
Amundsen also pointed to the tendency for athletes to blame external factors – like supplements or recovery methods – for poor performance, rather than addressing fundamental training flaws. “It’s fun to follow the ‘runfluencers’ journey…and how they complain that they have a high heart rate in the first few kilometers without thinking it’s their body’s fault. But frequently enough it is indeed as they have opened too hard.”
While acknowledging Haaland’s dedication to recovery, amundsen reiterated that training remains paramount. “It was fun to see from the inside. Inspiring. There is a huge focus on recovery…but what makes him good is the training he puts in.”
Krüger and Amundsen are currently competing at Beitostølen against the cross-country skiing elite, with a sprint event scheduled for Friday, followed by 10-kilometer classic and freestyle races on Saturday and Sunday. Their continued success, they suggest, will be a testament to the enduring power of hard work and a focus on the fundamentals.
