The H20 Principle

One of the biggest problems that usually gets overlooked with training athletes is hydration.  Dehydration can be the reason for poor performance and injuries. By the time a person actually registers the feeling of being thirsty, he or she is already dehydrated.  An athlete who is as little as two percent dehydrated can experience up to a 10 percent decline in performance, and it gets worse from there.

The science behind it- When the body’s cells perform physical activity they use fluids for a various tasks, as the fluid become depleted cell osmolarity is impaired and the body can not respond in its proper manner. Consequences of a progressive loss of body water are a decrease in blood volume (hypovolemia) and an increase in the concentration of electrolytes in the body fluids (hypertonicity). Both of these conditions can impair the body’s ability to dissipate heat generated during exercise. The greater level of dehydration, the greater the degree of impairment.

Here at LA we have the real answers to your questions on Hydration:

In the following article we will discuss:

• Just how much should you drink and when?
• Can you drink too much and if so what are the likely consequences?
• When does dehydration start to really impair sports performance?
• What sports drink is best and which ones are a waste of your time and money?
• Should your sport of choice dictate the kind of sports drink you consume?

All of these questions are answered in our Hydration Principle Section. Check it out.