This Sunday, June 23, is National Hydration Day and a good chance to remind all lacrosse athletes that proper hydration is essential for helping you to stay in the game and compete at your best.
Did you know that 60-70% of the human body is made up of water? The body loses fluid through the skin as sweat, through the lungs while breathing, and through urination. Physical activity, especially in hot and humid conditions, increases the amount of fluid your body needs to stay properly hydrated.
If an athlete doesn’t replace the fluids lost through sweat and becomes dehydrated, the risk of overheating increases, leading to a greater risk of heat illness and impaired performance.
Dehydration in athletes often occurs during practice or games when the body loses more fluid than is being taken in. Losing as little as 2% of your total body weight can lead to decreased athletic performance.
Common signs of dehydration include headache, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, decreased urine output, and dark yellow urine. Athletes experiencing any of these symptoms should stop exercising and drink fluids.
At USA Lacrosse, we’re proud to have Gatorade available on the sidelines at every USA Lacrosse event this summer because we know it’s important for all athletes and children to rehydrate, replenish, and refuel when they play.
Gatorade serves as the “Exclusive Sports Drink of USA Lacrosse” and is exclusively featured at Tierney Field, the home field at USA Lacrosse National Headquarters in Sparks, Md.
Watch the video below to learn more about the importance of hydration.
