The human body is 60 percent water. Water and important nutrients are lost through breathing, sweating, talking and urinating and this fluid depletion is enhanced when exercising or participating in a sport. Sport drinks are designed to replenish the lost fluids and necessary nutrients required for average conditioning and peak performance.
Nutrients
It is important to note that the major sport drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade contain the minerals potassium and sodium. These nutrients are essential for proper fluid balance within the body. A large component of sport drinks is sugar. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is easily converted by working muscles into energy. Quick energy is a necessity for the body when it is engaged in activities that are longer in duration. These sport drinks also contain vitamin C although not In quantities significant enough to affect metabolic activities.
Functions
Sodium and potassium are electrolytes. Electrolytes are ionized solutions that conduct electrical currents. Electrolytes attract water and allow fluids within the body to flow freely. Low concentration of electrolytes or electrolyte imbalances could have fatal consequences. Carbohydrates are converted to energy by the body and are also stored as energy in muscle tissue and the liver. Vitamin C is used for tissue repair and immune function.
Application
When participating in short or intermittent activity water is usually enough to maintain hydration levels. Once the sport or exercise becomes more prolonged, such as over one hour, the level and continuance of activity may be dependent on replacing the lost nutrients. In this case, a sport drink would be more beneficial than simply water.
Nutrients Lost
It's important to keep in mind the amount of fluids and nutrients lost through exercise. "A runner can lose up to six cups of fluid an hour" and the corresponding loss of electrolytes can lead to physical problems that could be anywhere from mild to severe. The balance between the electrolytes outside the cells, sodium, and the electrolytes inside the cells, potassium, can be adequately maintained through sport drinks.
Gatorade History
Gatorade is one of the most recognized sports drinks on the market. Louise Burke in her text "Practical Sports Nutrition" explains the history behind Gatorade when she says "in 1967, the Miami Orange Bowl playoff in American college football saw the Florida Gators in competition against Georgia Tech. The Gators were being badly beaten and at halftime used a new drink designed for them by Dr. Robert Cade of the University of Florida. The drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrate, was designed "to replace what the game was taking out of them." The Florida Gators played well enough in the second half to overcome their opponents and win their first bowl game."
References
- "Sports Nutrition"; Marie Dunford; 2006
- "Practical Sports Nutrition"; Louise Burke; 2007
- "Fitness and Nutrition"; Brian J. Sharkey; 2002
- "Understanding Nutrition"; Eleanor Whitney and Sharon Rolfes; 2002
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