If you're an athlete, your goal is to excel in your chosen sport. That often takes regulation of intense training, proper nutrition and mental preparation, but many athletes assume just drinking liquids will be good enough for sports hydration.
Some studies may suggest that improper hydration can not only hinder training but have a negative impact on competitive performance. Athletes participating in sporting events have different hydration needs than most, so let's take a closer look and the link between sports performance and sports hydration.
Dehydration not only carries with it physical consequences but mental and performance decline as well. When your body runs dry, your brain isn't getting the fluids and minerals it needs to stay alert. This can lead to a drop in concentration that will inevitably result in mental lapses on the field, on the court or in the ring. One mental slip can be the difference between a win and a loss, and maintaining hydration levels during competition can help keep your mind sharp.
In order to make sure your hydration levels don't drop to dangerous levels, it's important to have a guideline for fluid consumption before, during and after practice, training and competition. Your game day hydration schedule should look something like this:
- 16 ounces of fluids two to three hours before the activity
- Eight ounces 15 minutes before activity
- Periodic gulps of 4 ounces of fluids during competition
- 16 ounces of fluids after activity for every pound of water weight lost
These recommendations can be adjusted based on your personal experience. If you tend to be prone to the symptoms of dehydration, you may wish to increase your fluid intake before and during practice and competition. If you sweat excessively or are competing in hot weather, your recovery could require more fluid intake than the average athlete.
Athletes also need to take care of their regular hydration throughout the day. Preventing dehydration involves more than simply drinking before, during and after exertion. If you're drinking plenty of fluids regularly, your body will be more apt to fight off dehydration during competition.
Just scheduling your fluid intake isn't necessarily enough, you should pay close attention to the types of fluid you put into your body. You lose a lot more than fluids when you sweat. When you sweat you lose electrolytes, sodium and vitamins that water doesn't contain. Let's take a look at why these elements are important?
Your body requires sodium in order to store and use fluids properly, and simply drinking water just won't cut it. A sports beverage such as TAPOUT can give you the natural sodium your body requires to optimally utilize the fluids you consume. Some athletes may require more sodium than others, so it's important to pay attention to the signs your body is losing sodium from sweat. If your sweat smells or tastes extremely salty, you might be losing sodium more rapidly than you realize. If this is the case, consider consuming an extra TAPOUT Performance beverage rather than water during competition.
Under intense activity, your body will burn electrolytes and vitamins. Electrolytes help your muscles remain hydrated and aid in post-competition recovery and vitamins are essential for peak physical and mental performance. When planning your fluid intake for any sport, make sure to include a sports beverage that contains plenty of vitamins and electrolytes.
Choosing a sports performance drink that contains carbohydrates is also important. Your body converts carbohydrates into energy, and you may need a boost at practice, games or other forms of competition. Consuming a sports drink containing carbs is a fast and efficient way to refuel your body to give you the energy required to continue at the top of your game.
TAPOUT Citrus contains plenty of carbs, natural sodium, electrolytes and vitamins. In fact, at 240mg TAPOUT contains more natural sodium than any other major sports drink brand. This sodium will aid your body in optimizing fluid usage and help prevent dehydration. Our Citrus flavor also contains 30 grams of carbs to give you the energy needed under pressure.
The delicious taste and extra sodium are just two aspects that set TAPOUT apart from the rest. TAPOUT is the only major sports drink to contain all four electrolytes athletes need and a scientifically formulated complement of vitamins. TAPOUT Citrus contains:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Vitamins A, E, C, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12
While we recommend athletes consider our Citrus flavor for the carbohydrates, those seeking a low-carb, zero-sugar sports beverage can rest assured that our Cherry Lemonade contains all the same sodium, vitamins and electrolytes as our Citrus flavor.