Contemporary Topics

Hydration in sport

Participation in sport either it being competitive or leisure exercisers drink before, during and after exercise. There are many reasons for consuming water and/or energy drinks these include, to maintain hydration, provide a substrate or to refresh the mouth.

Whilst carrying out exercise you lose water from the body due to sweating.  “Typically, maximum sweat rates are in the order of 2–3 litres per hour” (Shirreffs, 2009, p.375.)This results in their body mass reducing up to “2-3%” (Shirreffs, 2009, p.375.) Also, taking part in physical activity you produce an increase water levels which you lose in forms of sweat and urine. These need to be balanced out resulting in rehydrating yourself with water and/or energy sport drinks. This all depends on the individual as some lose “2%” (Shirreffs, 2009, p.375.) This is can be excelled and some have higher percentage loss of their body mass when sweating. However, some never if not struggle to reach this mass of sweat when exercising.

Sweat is produced by two major glands all over the body. The Eccrine glands produce most of the sweat around the body these are concentrated on the armpits, palms, soles and forehead. The other main sweat gland is the apocrine gland which are located in the armpit, groin and breast area. These are the ones that create a bad smell due to being close to hair follicles. This is a negative action of sweating as it can result in bad odours.

Sweat does have positive outcomes. Once water is realised from glands it does work as a cooling factor for your body. Keeping hydrated will prevent dizziness, nausea, a dry mouth and maintain you heart rate and blood pressure. However, overhydrating yourself can also cause nausea due to your body holding too much water and not being able to store it. Sweating excessively can cause skin infections – athletes’ foot or jock itch. This could also lead to thyroid problems.

There is an argument in this current topic which links to sport drinks being more effective then water during exercise. “a sports drink can contain a variety of nutrients and other substances. Therefore, consumption of a sports drink will provide a large amount of water in addition to other components which could otherwise be obtained from food.”(Shirreffs, 2009, p.376.)  In comparison to water energy drinks enhance your sport ability due to the electrolytes. Electrolytes are chemicals that form ions in bodily fluids. This ensures specific body functions run at optimal levels. When the body has the optimal concentrations of electrolytes the muscles do not cramp. This then resulting in a better physical performance by the athlete Therefore, this denotes a sports drinks are more effective than water as is decreases cramping, lactic acid builds up and muscle spasms which prevents athletes from continuing any physical activity they are currently participating in or training for.

Overall, hydration in sport is important and very much needed. Everyone should have a drink with them whilst partaking in sport. No matter if its just water or an energy drink.

One other interest that I have is Rugby and whether it should be banned in schools and if it is dangerous. I have made a powerpoint explaining both views on this and a voice over on my beliefs also.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xOAmm9obgWZaXxVRRWaJ99D_tm0tvNbb/view