The Globe and Mail – Leslie Beck
Water is critical to athletic performance. It regulates body temperature, allows muscles to contract and helps the bloodstream deliver oxygen to body tissues. In kids, losing 1 per cent of their body weight due to dehydration has been shown to have detrimental effects on performance. (In adults, performance can suffer at a loss of 2 per cent of their body weight.) The key to preventing dehydration during sports is knowing how much – and what – to drink before, during and after exercise. And when exercising in hot weather, extra careful monitoring of fluid intake is crucial. (more)