Hydration is highly individual, and it can be challenging for athletes to achieve optimum hydration before, during and after exercise. In this module, sport nutritionists can find evidence-based resources to explain why hydration is important for sports and exercise, fluid requirements for athletes in different environments and how to monitor hydration levels. The modules also outlines practical strategies to support adequate hydration in sports.
These resources are particularly suitable for use by sports nutrition professionals with recreational or amateur athletes.
Key learnings
The module’s key learnings are:
- Drinking to thirst is generally accepted, with addition of sodium if high sweat losses or if exercising over 2 hours.
- Hypohydration can be influenced by individual sweat rate, exercise mode, intensity, duration, and environmental factors such as heat.
- The closer you are to exercising, opt for foods with a higher glycemic index and lower in fibre, fat and protein to limit gastrointestinal issues
Written by Michael Naylor
Downloadable Resources
Hydration – An expert refresher for sports nutritionists
Take a closer look at the background science and relevant evidence supporting the accepted hydration recommendations for athletes and sports teams.
- Filename
- GetPRO Professional_Hydration_Expert Refresher (2).pdf
- Size
- 224 KB
- Format
- application/pdf
Hydration for athletes – Powerpoint Presentation
This slide presentation covers the fundamentals of hydration including fluid requirements for sports and exercise and the different factors that can influence hydration levels.
- Filename
- GetPRO Professional Hydration for athletes.pdf
- Size
- 2 MB
- Format
- application/pdf
Hydration for athletes – Infographic
Use this printable infographic to help your athletes remember good hydration practices.
- Filename
- GetPRO Hydration Infographic.pdf
- Size
- 301 KB
- Format
- application/pdf
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Disclaimer: This information is intended for Health and/or Nutrition Professionals working within the field of sport and performance nutrition, including sports nutritionists, dietitians, sports scientists, coaches, athletic trainers and others who have professional training in nutrition and human physiology.