Im 14yr male, 5'7 and 125lbs and was told to get on whey protein.?
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Well, protein is simply food for your muscles... the trainer was basically telling you that to make sure your muscles had adequate food so they can grow and function as they need.
The only way to increase the time on your sprints is to exercise those muscles (as I'm sure you know), and protein is good to feed those muscles as they work.
It is NOT safe to use them as a meal replacement, nor are protein supplements intended as a meal replacement (it should say that right on the container, in fact). Some people advocate that as a way to feed the muscles while starving the body, but that doesn't work. When your body is starved of certain nutrients, it will take them from whatever reserves you have (typically fat). but if you don't have enough fat, your body may actually take it from your muscles. From what you listed, it doesn't sound like you have too much fat, so I would be careful about having a full meal of just protein (once in a while should be fine if needed, and after workouts as a "snack" is good).
Protein won't mess up your track times at all as long as you work the muscles and use the energy that the protein gives you. As far as the brand, I can tell you what our customers order most often, but the most important thing is to get it from a good quality company and make sure you like the TASTE. That's the #1 determining factor in what kind of protein powder that someone will use. Some taste horrible, some taste great... see if you can try a sample of any kind before you buy a large amount of it (my advice from personal experience).
I would definitely advise against using it as a meal replacement, though.
Well, they probably advised it so you could gain some muscle mass. You will probably gain weight, but you will also gain muscle. I can't say if it will slow you down or not.
I just want to say, I don't think you should take it. You are young, and suppliments should weight. You are still growing, and I think your growth should depend on your diet. Just stick with what you do, and enjoy running fast.
I suggest Jay Robb's whey protein powder... it is not weighed down with all those artificial flavors and sugars, and it tastes pretty good.
If you make a shake with the protein powder and put in some soy milk, a banana, some oatmeal, and some honey and blend it all together, then yes, it can be a meal replacement. Just 1 serving of the stuff alone could be a good snack, but not a meal for a teenage boy who is in 2 different sports.
As far as slowing you down... I think it will... at least a little bit... but I could be wrong.
Your coach likely told you to get on whey protein because he thinks having some more muscle mass would help you out. He is probably right.
However, you will likely gain a little weight with increase muscle mass, which might slow your running at least temporarily as it adjusts to its new weight.
You don't see a lot of muscle on those professional runners, because you don't need a lot of muscle mass to run at top speed... but you do need a very lean, low weight body.
I think you need to prioritize the sprint times with your overall soccer/baseball performance... maybe find a balance between the 2.
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