National Athletic
Trainers' Association Responds to New Hydration Advice
From Institute of Medicine's Report on Water and Electrolytes
Relying on Thirst is Not the Best Advice
for Athletes
DALLAS, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Athletic
Trainers' Association (NATA) wants to comment on the
findings of the Institute of Medicine's Report on water
and electrolytes. The press release issued by the Institute
of Medicine notes that "The vast majority of healthy
people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by
letting thirst be their guide." While this statement
is accurate for individuals who have average amounts
of daily physical activity, NATA believes that this
advice is misleading for athletes and can increase the
risk of dehydration and heat illnesses. Research shows
that relying on thirst may cause athletes to underestimate
fluid needs and replace on average only about 50% of
the fluid lost in sweat. Therefore, the NATA recommends
athletes drink on a schedule based on their individual
sweat rate, regardless of thirst, to
ensure that they are replacing sweat losses.
NATA recently convened an Inter-Association Task Force comprised of 18 sports medicine groups and injury prevention and health professional organizations to release an Exertional Heat Illnesses Consensus Statement.
The Consensus Statement, which applies to activity at all levels of intensity, states:
-- THIRST IS NOT ENOUGH: There is
scientific research to support the idea that thirst
is not an optimal way to determine when and how much
an athlete should drink. By the time an athlete is thirsty,
they are
already somewhat dehydrated and in most cases will not
drink enough to fully replace the fluids lost in sweat.
-- TO BE SAFE, KNOW YOUR SWEAT RATE:
Rather than relying on thirst or simply drinking as
much as you can tolerate (which can also be dangerous),
knowing how much you sweat is the best way to determine
hydration needs. To figure out how much you sweat, weigh
yourself before and after exercise. The weight you lost
in ounces represents fluid and that amount is how much
should be consumed (in total) before, during and after
exercise to adequately replace sweat and keep the body
balanced.
-- REPLACE FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES LOST:
Optimal hydration is the replacement of fluids
and electrolytes based on individual needs.
Drinking a sports drink helps replace the key electrolytes
lost in sweat.
EXPERT SPOKESPERSON - AVAILABLE TO COMMENT ON THIS
ISSUE:
Douglas Casa, PhD, ATC
University of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 486-3624
Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports the more than 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. http://www.nata.org. NATA, 2952 Stemmons Freeway, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75247, 214.637.6282; 214.637.2206 (fax).
For more information call: Ellen Satlof, NATA PR Manager (214.637.6282, ext. 159) or Karen Stillman (312.751.3524)
SOURCE National Athletic Trainers' Association
Web Site: http://www.nata.org
Response to Hydration Advice