Dehydration and Athletics...the Common Link

Experts say that people should drink eight glasses of water a day, but athletes need to drink more than this for optimal sports hydration. Learn about the benefits of drinking water and why dehydration has a negative impact on athletic performance. Consider the value of using sports drinks vs. drinking water. Use a hydration pack to help prevent dehydration during workouts. Understand why to stay hydrated in order to improve sports performance.

The Benefits of Drinking Water
Every person’s body is different, so there is no magical number for the right amount of water to drink to prevent dehydration. What’s true for everyone is that the benefits of drinking water are universal. Drinking enough water regularly helps the body function properly, optimizing physical performance and bodily functions. Not drinking enough water can lead to mild or even serious dehydration, a serious medical condition. Know the symptoms of dehydration to help prevent dehydration.

Dehydration and Athletic Performance
Many athletes — even top-caliber athletes — routinely allow themselves to become slightly to severely dehydrated during training and competition. By the time a person actually registers the feeling of being thirsty, he or she is already dehydrated. Studies have shown that a person who is as little as two percent dehydrated can experience up to a 10 percent decline in performance, and it gets worse from there.

Sports Drinks Vs. Water
Exercising not only depletes the body of fluids, but also, causes the body to lose valuable electrolytes. Sports drinks aim to replace those electrolytes along with the necessary fluids for rehydration. Once a person is dehydrated, it’s important that he rehydrate with electrolytes as well as water. Since eating solid food requires liquid for digestion, it’s better to turn to sports drinks for the necessary electrolyte replacement once a person is dehydrated.

Prevent Dehydration with a Hydration Pack
The best way to prevent dehydration is to stay hydrated throughout the day, whether it’s a training or competition day or a rest day. It’s best to make a conscious effort to drink water regularly throughout the day, and to drink every few minutes while working out or competing. For many athletes, a hydration pack is an easy way to have water prominently and easily accessible when working out.