Many athletes lack proper hydration levels which often leads to dehydration and cramping. The problem is not always hydration during exercise but due in most part to improper hydration prior to training and practice. Dehydration happens prior to being thirsty, so many athletes do not begin to hydrate until it is too late. Not only does hydrating quench thirst but it replaces lost sodium and electrolytes. This is why it is important to hydrate with sources other than water, such as Gatorade and other electrolyte drinks. It is also important to drink not only when it's hot out but in the cold weather too, especially because you don't feel as thirsty.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/many-football-players-begin-practice-dehydrated
I'd say the best point that you had in there was at the end when you said to hydrate even when its cold out. I've seen guys go down to dehydration whens it's 10 degrees out and your walking through snow. You never realize how much you actually sweat when your active in the cold because the temperature masks your sensation of feeling you warm sweat.
ReplyDeleteIn years past my coaches have always told us to drink, drink, drink! to stay well hydrated before our games and tournaments. It makes you feel a lot better and like you said keeps you from cramping. Many people don't know that drinking Gatorade or other drinks like propel should be taken in during halftime or after your games. This is a good post because I feel that many athletes are very unaware of this and always have a tendency to become dehydrated from not taking in enough fluids!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important to hydrate during a workout and rehydrate after a workout but I also think it's just as important to choose what you drink based on the intensity of the workout. For a practice over an hour, Gatorade is an appropriate choice but anything under that, water is sufficient to hydrate.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.menshealth.com/foodfaceoff/gatorade-water.php