During the summer months, Gatorade can be a great resource for hydration and heat illness related information for athletes. At KSI, we refer to “Beat the Heat” in terms of the 2013 Gatorade Heat Safety Kit that was produced this year. The kit is a packet of information about ways to prevent heat illness and tips for staying hydrated. Also, the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) they have posted brief question and answer sessions with some well-known sports scientists (Dr. Doug Casa included!) to discuss heat, hydration, and nutrition topics. Watch those videos here!
Hydration is extremely important while exercising in hot conditions. The kit also gives information on how to replace fluid lost due to sweating during exercise, and one quick method of determining if you are hydrated or not. Use your pee! As developed and validated by Dr. Armstrong at the University of Connecticut, the color of urine can be a helpful tool for determining your hydration status. One easy tip that Gatorade recommends: light like lemonade, you’re hydrated; dark like apple juice, you’re dehydrated. It’s a pretty simple concept, and even easy for young kids to understand.
Of particular importance in the packet are the tips for preventing exertional heat illnesses, and ways to help keep athletes safe during summer exercise. These tips can help determine whether or not it’s safe to exercise outside, and help take away the risk factors that might predispose someone to heat illness. And of course, for detailed information about heat illnesses and hydration, as well as current heat acclimatization safety policies, visit www.ksi.uconn.edu.
Korey Stringer Institute 