How Does Hydration Affect Sporting Performance?

If you’re an athlete trying to reach peak performance, then there are a lot of different factors you need to consider. As well as the training you do, what you eat is also extremely important. And so is staying hydrated. In this article, we’ll look at how hydration and dehydration can impact sporting performance.

And this isn’t just for elite athletes. Even your average person trying to get in shape or playing a sport for fun can benefit from the information and advice in this article. So, read on to find out more…

Sweating and body temperature

Sweating has an important purpose; it helps to cool us down and maintain a normal, healthy body temperature. But since we lose bodily fluids when we sweat, it’s essential that we are properly hydrated before taking part in intensive exercise. If we become too dehydrated during exercise, then our body will be less able to produce sweat, which can result in overheating.

This not only worsens your ability to perform, but it can also be dangerous, leading to things like heat stroke. If you’re exercising for a long time, then you should continue to rehydrate occasionally throughout your workout to maintain your hydration levels.

Proper muscle function

The better your muscles can perform and their ability to keep performing during sporting activity, the better you will perform overall. But without proper fluid intake, your muscles won’t be able to get all the nutrients they need during your workout. This will lead to things like muscle cramps and fatigue, lowering the endurance and ability of your muscles.

Cardiovascular function

Your blood is made up of almost 50% water, because the blood plasma that makes up more than half of your blood is actually 90% water. As a result, dehydration leads to a loss of blood volume. This means that your heart has to work a lot harder to pump blood around your body to deliver essential nutrients to your organs, muscles, and other tissues.

This puts a strain on your heart and, over time, can put you more at risk of suffering a heart attack or developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Being dehydrated during a game, race, or competition will make you tire more easily and not perform as effectively because your heart will struggle to keep up with the demands of your body.

Mental acuity

Sport is almost as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Depending on your sport, you may need to focus on your strategy, your opponents, and your teammates. Maybe you need to be able to react fast to a ball, a puck, or even a punch coming your way. Proper hydration helps to keep you sharp and focused to ensure you’re at the top of your game.

Whether you’re an athlete or not, hydration is essential. If you need a water delivery service to help you stay hydrated during training and in everyday life, contact Mountain Park Spring Water for our services around Martinsville, VA and High Point, Winston Salem, and Greensboro, NC.