Weight Charts
during a game.
Today there is lots of emphasis on hydration with physically active patients. Now it’s water, water, water . . . you can’t get too much! The more . . . the better. Actually, you can get too much water, and a combination of electrolytes and water are best.
We know now that dehydration can contribute to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Fluids will protect the body from dehydrating, overheating, and cramping. In a given practice—one of our offensive or defensive linemen may lose up to 15 pounds of fluid. We require them to return to within 4% of their pre-practice weight prior to leaving the locker room—Athletic Trjaining Room area and return to within 2% prior to subsequent workouts! Thus, heat illness is prevented as the greatest way to have a heat related death would be to exercise in a dehydrated state.
It’s important to remember that thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. In fact, when you feel thirsty . . . you’re probably already a quart low! That’s good information whether you’re an athlete or not . . . drink, drink, drink.
The National Athletic Trainers Association recommends that athletes take drink breaks at least every 45 minutes during practice and play . . . many coaches and athletic trainers demand even more frequent breaks. Drink selection needs to be less than 8% concentration of sugar in order to avoid a slow down in gastric emptying. Basically, no caffeinated drinks.
The night before the big game or event, athletes need to drink Gatorade to help the body store fluid and reduce the risk of dehydration the following day. Athletic Trainers and Physicians know they can prevent a lot of heat-related events by proper hydration. Once athletes understand and comprehend this, we are well on our way to preventing heat related illness. If we rely on our thirst as a guide for fluid replacement – we are way behind. Remember the guide for weight charts and effective prevention of dehydration of your patients. This plan helps prevents fluid loss and subsequent predisposing patient to heat related events.