Hydration Is Crucial In Sport
Our bodies are made up of more than 60% water – a huge and almost unimaginable amount. This essential fluid is quite possibly the most important element of life, facilitating its very existence. This is why doctors and nutritionists recommend that we drink seven to ten glasses of water during the day as a surefire way to promote health and well-being. We are told to make a conscious effort to stay hydrated as a way to benefit our physical and mental selves.
Water is important for the transportation of nutrients, the removal of waste products and the facilitation of digestion. It regulates body temperature through sweating and lubricates tissues and joints. Water is an important player in the function of many organs, glands and tissues.
In daily life, it is important to stay well-hydrated at all times. When sports and athletic activity are added into the mix, hydration becomes an even more important issue.
Exercise causes us to sweat, meaning that our bodies lose water. When we lose water, our bodies are forced to work harder. Take this statistic for example – a loss of just one percent of body weight because of sweating is related to a significant drop in blood volume and an increased effort on the part of the heart. Dehydration is also a leading cause of cramps, dizziness, fatigue and heat stroke.
These are just a few of the many reasons why it is important that athletes pay special attention to hydration will working out.
Monitoring hydration and figuring out when to rehydrate is a trial-and-error process. All individuals are different, and each person must decide what works for him or her. The amount of fluid to take in during sport depends upon the length and intensity of exercise as well as the individual athlete. When taking into consideration other factors such as high altitude and temperature, the hydration process can be even more complicated. With time, however, most athletes come to know what works and what doesn\’t.
Once the amount of hydration and rehydration is determined, the beverage chosen for hydration must be determined. Many athletes and coaches insist that water is always the best choice. Nevertheless, today more and more sports drinks are hitting the market and many people are turning to them.
There is no definitive answer, however, when it comes to the real effectiveness of sports drinks. They contain electrolytes important to take in after intense exercise, but these electrolytes come accompanied by sugars, syrups and chemicals that are not always the best.
When it comes to sports drinks, the best advice is to proceed with caution and moderation. These beverages have calories – about 200 of them – meaning that they can wipe out a 20-minute walk pretty fast. There is no reason to avoid them entirely, but it is important to keep in mind that they are best fit for serious athletes following intense workouts. Otherwise, they may require calorie cutting in other areas.
Hydration is key to performance in physical activity and to well-being as a whole. Get your water bottle ready the next time you head to the gym – you may be surprised at what a difference it makes.
Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic amateur cyclist, recently published the Cycling Water Bottle website. He understands how crucial a bike water bottle is to hydration on the long rides.