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Actually, in sports medicine it is becoming a much more frequent occurrence.
A friend and master's racer became hyponatremic while competing at Master's
nationals in Augusta, GA, precisely by becoming so attentive to his hydration
that he tried to keep pace with water losses without including other
electrolytes. Most of us do not race long enough, in hot enough conditions, to make
it an issue. However, many people who participate in Ironman-length events do
manage to overhydrate. Tim Noakes, an admitted iconoclast, has made a big
deal of the US focusing too much on hydration, when there is significantly less
concrete data pointing to dehydration specifically as the issue in extended
exercise than most people think.
When taking in fluids in hot conditions, especially for those of us not
heat-acclimated (and in Portland, it is rarely hot enough for long enough to lead
to complete acclimation), it makes sense to consume energy drinks and pay
attention to salt intake. Those who are not heat-acclimated lose significantly more
sodium in our sweat than those who are. At our very own OBRA conference
two years ago, the head of physiology for USA Cycling noted that Gatorade was
originally slated to have significantly more sodium than it does but was changed
to make it more mass-marketable. He further stated that for his athletes in
hot environments he recommended salting their Gatorade (Atlanta '96 was an
example). This has worked well for me on long, hot days (STP two years ago,
long rides in CA's central valley, etc.).
Most Americans do get more than enough salt (and fat, and calories). But
that doesn't mean that endurance athletes exercising for long periods in the
heat do.
-Ian Penner, Exercise Phys.
P.S- I have not read the specific article, just commenting on the general
issues. So take with a grain of salt...
In a message dated 4/16/05 3:51:15 PM, mike.m-@obra.org writes:
Like much of what is in the media, the quoted article contains much
misunderstanding and really tends to frighten?more than inform.? The advent of the
internet, which has made nearly everyone a publisher, has worsened the
problem.? There is little reason to suggest salt supplementation for any American
including endurance athletes since most of us have a diet too high in sodium
anyhow.? Sweat loses of sodium only need to be replaced in very extended
exercise and generally the amount that needs to be replaced is small.? Specifically
with regards to bike racers, in the past 30 plus years of bike racing I have
yet to see an over hydrated rider.? I am sure it is possible but you would
have to work at it pretty hard.? Even in other sports it is a very rare problem
even with the recently seen increase. Don't be scared, be reasonable.? The
same thinking should be applied to marketing hype.? "Hydrate or die" is
clearly just as over stated as would be "Over hydrate AND die".??
?
Mike?Murray MD
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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">Actually, in sports medicine it is becoming a much more frequent occurrence. A friend and master's racer became hyponatremic while competing at Master's nationals in Augusta, GA, precisely by becoming so attentive to his hydration that he tried to keep pace with water losses without including other electrolytes. Most of us do not race long enough, in hot enough conditions, to make it an issue. However, many people who participate in Ironman-length events do manage to overhydrate. Tim Noakes, an admitted iconoclast, has made a big deal of the US focusing too much on hydration, when there is significantly less concrete data pointing to dehydration specifically as the issue in extended exercise than most people think.<BR>
<BR>
When taking in fluids in hot conditions, especially for those of us not heat-acclimated (and in Portland, it is rarely hot enough for long enough to lead to complete acclimation), it makes sense to consume energy drinks and pay attention to salt intake. Those who are not heat-acclimated lose significantly more sodium in our sweat than those who are. At our very own OBRA conference two years ago, the head of physiology for USA Cycling noted that Gatorade was originally slated to have significantly more sodium than it does but was changed to make it more mass-marketable. He further stated that for his athletes in hot environments he recommended salting their Gatorade (Atlanta '96 was an example). This has worked well for me on long, hot days (STP two years ago, long rides in CA's central valley, etc.). <BR>
<BR>
Most Americans do get more than enough salt (and fat, and calories). But that doesn't mean that endurance athletes exercising for long periods in the heat do.<BR>
<BR>
-Ian Penner, Exercise Phys.<BR>
<BR>
P.S- I have not read the specific article, just commenting on the general issues. So take with a grain of salt...<BR>
<BR>
In a message dated 4/16/05 3:51:15 PM, mike.m-@obra.org writes:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE CITE STYLE="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px" TYPE="CITE"></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">Like much of what is in the media, the quoted article contains much misunderstanding and really tends to frighten?more than inform.? The advent of the internet, which has made nearly everyone a publisher, has worsened the problem.? There is little reason to suggest salt supplementation for any American including endurance athletes since most of us have a diet too high in sodium anyhow.? Sweat loses of sodium only need to be replaced in very extended exercise and generally the amount that needs to be replaced is small.? Specifically with regards to bike racers, in the past 30 plus years of bike racing I have yet to see an over hydrated rider.? I am sure it is possible but you would have to work at it pretty hard.? Even in other sports it is a very rare problem even with the recently seen increase. Don't be scared, be reasonable.? The same thinking should be applied to marketing hype.? "Hydrate or die" is clearly just as over stated as would be "Over hydrate AND die".??</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><BR>
<BR>
?<BR>
<BR>
Mike?Murray MD<BR>
<BR>
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