Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Tyler Carter, two-time Paralympic Alpine skier and TrueSport Athlete. Today, I want to talk to you about hydration and there are three things I’d like you to know. One, you should hydrate with water during moderate activity of 60 minutes or less. Two, with more than 60 minutes of moderate activity, consider adding sports drinks to replace carbohydrates and electrolytes. Three, drinking water with food helps with hydration and absorption during recovery. With long days on the slopes, it is important that I pay attention to how much water I consume. I try to drink water before I feel thirsty and for more intense practice and competition days, I consume sports drinks to help replace the electrolytes and carbohydrates I used. It is easy to forget to drink enough water before a long practice or competition day especially when you’re having fun and not paying attention to your thirst so I highly recommend getting used to carrying a water bottle with you and keeping your bottle in a location you will visit often throughout the day. I try to bring mine with me everywhere I can.
Water makes up to 60% of your body weight, and every system in your body relies on water to function. Hydration is critical to optimal performance, and successful athletes understand the importance of hydrating before, during and after exercise. Water provides the easiest and most affordable means for hydration. While sports drinks can also help replace electrolytes and carbohydrates. Not hydrating enough often leads to dehydration. Dehydration is scientifically defined as a water deficit and in excess of two to 3% of your body weight and occurs when the body is deprived of fluids resulting from sweating, illness, medication use and neglecting to drink water. Dehydration can compromise performance and impair brain functions. Food provides nearly 20% of your total water intake. So getting in different fruits and vegetables like watermelons and tomatoes can help keep your body hydrated. TRUE Sport athletes take hydration very seriously and choose to drink the right fluids at the right time to hydrate for peak performance. See you on the slopes.
