In warm weather, how can you find the energy to get outside and exercise? By using the proper hydration strategies, you can have enjoy energy to perform you best even if the weather is at its worst.
Water is an important nutrient that composes approximately 50-60 percent of our body weight. For years, we've been told to drink eight glasses of water a day for optimal health. But that one-size-fits-all prescription no longer fits a training athlete. Fluid intake is an important part of training and athletic performance. The benefits of adequate fluid and electrolyte intake during exercise include lower heart rate, improved blood flow to working muscles and skin, body temperature control, support for muscular contraction, preventing hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), quick recovery, improved performance and lower perceived exertion.
More: Measure Your Sweat Loss for Optimal Hydration
Health experts have found that fluid requirements vary from person to person, and for many of us, the best way to stay adequately hydrated is to stick to a schedule. Most recreation athletes require approximately 11 to 15 cups of water daily, according to the Institute of Medicine. Several factors influence the need for water, including climate, muscle mass, physical activity, and diet. The goal of athletes is to consume enough water during sessions to maintain 100 percent fluids lost through perspiration. Sports science research conducted with many differing sports contested that in hot weather when an athlete loses even as little as 2 percent of fluids, performance may decline by as much as 10 percent.
Proper hydration is achieved during exercise by consuming fluids and electrolytes at regular intervals. During training distractions may prevent athletes from recognizing their thirst, occasionally fluids are not available precisely when thirst occurs, and by the time thirst is felt an athlete may already be dehydrated. Recommendations for hydration before, during and after exercise to ensure optimal sports performance are as follows:
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| Before Exercise | Drink 16 oz 2 hours before activity Then 8-16 oz fifteen minutes before exercise |
| During Exercise | Drink 4-16 oz every 15-20 minutes depending on tolerance Fluids: 4 oz per 15 minutes = .5 liter per hour 8 oz per 15 minutes = 1 liter per hour 12 oz per 15 minutes = 1.5 liters per hour 16 oz per 15 minutes = 2 liters per hour Sodium: 500-700 mg sodium per liter of fluid or at least 1 gram per hour during heavy exercise and/or sweating (heat and humidity) |
| After Exercise | Drink 16-24 oz per pound of body weight lost during exercise. Consume sodium chloride (salty foods, sports drinks) to speed the rehydration process. |
