Hydration Is Crucial In Sport

The human body is made up of more than 60% water – tough to believe, but true. Water is a life force that drives us in every moment of every day, probably the single most important factor in our lives. Doctors recommend that we drink several glasses of water during the day in order to promote our health and well-being. We make sure to stay hydrated, knowing that it is a very important part of our energy levels and balance at all times.

Water has several different functions in the body. It plays a big role in the transportation of nutrients and the removal of waste products. Water lubricates tissues and joints and facilitates digestion. Though sweating, it regulates body temperature and is generally an important player in the function of many organs and glands.

Hydration is extremely important in daily life, regardless of physical activity. When intense athletic activity is added in, however, hydration becomes an even more vital 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.

This is why athletes have to pay special attention to hydration while engaging in a sport or working out.

That said, knowing exactly what type of hydration is needed can be tough. Each individual’s body is different, meaning what is just enough water for one person is too much for another. What is best is for each individual to monitor and decide what works for him and her. Individual physique is not the only factor in hydration, however. Intensity, length, temperature and altitude also make a difference.

But hydration isn’t just about knowing when and how much to drink – it is also about knowing what to drink. Many athletes stick with water, the old classic that has been tried and trusted for years. Nevertheless, there are tons of sports drinks available in the market today. How does one know if these drinks are worth it?

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.

The best idea is to simply proceed with caution. Remember that sports drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde have calories – about 200 per bottle, in fact. Such calories are great to take in after a highly intense work-out, not necessarily after a 20-minute walk.

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 recreational cyclist, recently put together the Cycling Water Bottle website. He knows how important a bike water bottle is to hydration on the long rides.