QUICK-FIRE

Small gains still mean seconds off your PB...

How does sugar differ to artificial sweeteners? And which is best for you?

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes. But they may be derived from naturally-occurring substances, such as herbs or sugar itself. They add virtually no calories to your diet, and you only need a fraction of artificial sweetener compared with the amount of sugar you’d normally use. Because they’re not carbohydrates, unlike sugar, sweeteners generally don’t raise blood sugar levels.

Which muscles do you use when walking?

In short, a lot – mainly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, core and calf muscles. Secondary muscles include: the pelvis’s stabilising muscles – external abductors, the internal adductors, the abdominal muscles at the front, and the spinal muscles at the back; the symmetrical tibialis anterior muscles in front of the calf; and the arm and shoulder muscles to a lesser degree, but can be used a great deal in power walking.

What is athlete’s foot? And how do I treat and prevent it?

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. You can usually treat it with creams, sprays or powders from a pharmacy, but it can keep coming back. The NHS recommends the following to prevent an occurrence: dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them; use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly; take your shoes off when at home; wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best.

What are the advantages of using a full aero helmet in a race?

As the name implies, an aero helmet produces less drag as you move through the air because it has less frontal surface area, and is therefore more aerodynamic. Air vents are reduced or nonexistent, meaning that they’re much less breathable, so consider that if racing in hot conditions.