Nutrition for Special Groups

Nutrition for Special Groups 3(3+0)

Lesson 30: Sports Nutrition

Importance of Water

• The most important nutritional aid for the athlete is water.
• When 2% of body weight is lost through sweat, the exercise performance is significantly impaired. Loss of more than 4% of body weight during exercise may lead to heat illness, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and possibly death. For this reason it is important that athletes consume sufficient amount of water during exercise to prevent dehydration.
• Athlets should not depend on thirst to prompt them to drink because a person does not get thirsty until they have lost a significant amount of fluid through sweat.
• Athletes should weigh themselves before and after exercise to ensure that they maintain proper hydration. Preventing dehydration during exercise is one of the most effective ways of maintaining exercise capacity.